Consultant Junior

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 approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO aims to build 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 Consultant Junior will work under the authority of the Chief of Office and UNESCO Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC), with direct supervision from the Project Coordinator in Kisangani and in close collaboration with the National Specialist in Exact Sciences from the Kinshasa office. The consultant will contribute to the implementation of targeted activities for the project 'Making the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve a Center of Excellence on Climate and Biodiversity, Phase II'. This role involves supporting the implementation and management of programs, projects, and activities aimed at addressing the challenges related to the use of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in local communities. The consultant will develop scientific tools to provide concrete solutions to these issues, analyze the dynamics surrounding NTFPs from a food security and local poverty alleviation perspective, and conduct market studies to establish value chains for these products. The overall goal is to revitalize the NTFP sector and improve the living conditions of the local population in the Tshopo province.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant Junior will be responsible for a variety of tasks including: developing reference documents such as conceptual notes, research protocols, work plans, questionnaires, scientific articles, and press articles necessary for the implementation and scientific valorization of the project; conducting a local and provincial market study to diagnose the most commercialized NTFPs in Kisangani; analyzing the determinants of exploitation and the factors justifying the choice of the ten most exploited NTFPs; identifying provincial indicators that limit the integration of local community knowledge into institutional support for sustainable management of NTFPs; raising awareness among communities about certain identified NTFPs; creating a diagnostic matrix of the NTFP sector; proposing recommendations for efficient and sustainable management of NTFPs; strengthening local community capacities in sustainable management, transformation, and commercialization of NTFPs; and preparing quarterly and semi-annual progress reports, as well as a final report summarizing all activities conducted under this contract.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Forestry Ecology, Socio-economics, or other related fields. They should have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the fields of environment, biodiversity, forestry, or related areas. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to conduct fieldwork in challenging environments, work in a multicultural setting, and establish effective working relationships. Proficiency in computer systems and data analysis software is essential, along with excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Forestry Ecology, or Socio-economics. Candidates with advanced degrees such as a Master's or Engineering degree are encouraged to apply.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the fields of environment, biodiversity, forestry, or related areas. Experience with UNESCO programs, UN projects, or international organizations is considered an asset. Candidates should also have experience in designing and implementing data collection tools for sociological, socio-economic, and forestry studies.

Languages:
Fluency in French (both spoken and written) is mandatory, along with a good knowledge of local languages such as Lingala and/or Swahili. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is six months, and the recruitment is open to external candidates. The position is based in Kisangani, and only candidates authorized to work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may apply. The selection process will involve an online application, and candidates must provide complete and accurate information. The evaluation may include tests and/or assessments, as well as competency-based interviews. UNESCO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity among its staff.