National Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which was established in 194

• UNESCO's mission is to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. UNESCO focuses on building peace in the minds of men and women, and its core values include commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism.

Job Overview:
The National Coordinator will play a crucial role in supporting the Project Management Units (PMU) at the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty. This position involves liaising with project partners and overseeing financial and contractual aspects of two significant UNESCO projects funded by the Adaptation Fund and the Global Environment Facility. The projects aim to reduce vulnerabilities in Central Asia related to climate change and glacier lake outburst floods. The National Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring quality programming and development outcomes, working under the authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office and in close coordination with project managers. This role requires a proactive approach to project management, including monitoring, reporting, and administrative support, as well as effective communication with stakeholders at various levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing management support for the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of projects in compliance with objectives and expected outcomes.
• Troubleshooting common problems and reporting complex issues to project managers.
• Coordinating administrative activities, including mobilizing staff and consultants, maintaining project files, and ensuring timely submission of deliverables.
• Performing administrative tasks such as contracting arrangements and procurement management.
• Supporting strategic planning of country-level activities in alignment with project work plans.
• Assisting in organizing project-related meetings and events.
• Contributing to narrative reports and other documentation as required.
• Serving as a liaison to national counterparts and stakeholders.
• Raising awareness about project objectives and activities. 1
• Coordinating country representation in project activities. 1
• Providing inputs for the Project Knowledge Management Platform. 1
• Contributing to communication efforts to enhance project visibility. 1
• Undertaking any other related tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in fields such as international development, environment, sustainable management of natural resources, climate-related studies, or disaster risk reduction. Additionally, candidates should have strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to changing demands. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and effective communication skills are essential, along with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as international development, environmental studies, sustainable management of natural resources, or disaster risk reduction. Specialized training or certification in administrative or secretarial fields is also desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in project implementation within the natural sciences or related fields. Experience working with governments and in public participation processes is highly valued. Familiarity with UN procedures and previous experience with UNESCO or UN agencies is considered an asset.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and Russian, both oral and written, is mandatory. Knowledge of the Kazakh language is desirable but not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a non-staff contract with a duration of 7 to 11 months, including an initial 3-month probation period with the possibility of extension. The salary is set at a base monthly gross of USD 2,247.72, subject to local UN salary scales. Benefits include medical and pension coverage, annual leave of 2.5 working days for each completed month of service, and compliance with local tax laws. The organization encourages women candidates to apply and emphasizes that only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.