Associate Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on various global challenges including education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems worldwide, particularly through its Ecological and Earth Sciences Division.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer will play a crucial role in supporting UNESCO's initiatives aimed at enhancing mangrove conservation and restoration, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity monitoring. This position involves project coordination, analytical reporting, stakeholder engagement, and communication activities. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Director of the Ecological and Earth Sciences Division and the Programme Specialist in charge, contributing to the overall objectives of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The role requires effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including biosphere reserve managers, community representatives, and institutional partners, to ensure the successful implementation of project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Project Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Project Coordination and Operational Support: Ensuring smooth communication and timely follow-up with participating sites and partners, supporting logistical and administrative preparations for missions and meetings, and maintaining updated planning tools and internal tracking systems.
• Knowledge Management and Information Flow: Organizing project information repositories, compiling contributions from various stakeholders, and assisting in harmonizing formats for project materials.
• Monitoring of Activity Implementation: Tracking progress of field activities and partner deliverables, maintaining monitoring dashboards, and supporting the consolidation of non-technical inputs for internal updates.
• Communication and Project Visibility Support: Coordinating the circulation of communication materials, maintaining contact lists, and assisting in organizing dissemination events.
• Stakeholder Facilitation and Network Support: Facilitating communication with biosphere reserve managers and community representatives, supporting participatory processes, and maintaining records of partner engagement.
• Administrative and Organizational Support: Initiating administrative arrangements, supporting budget monitoring, and ensuring compliance with internal standards and donor requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in environmental sciences, sustainability, ecology, geography, or a closely related field. Additionally, a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in ecosystem conservation, biodiversity restoration, climate adaptation, or sustainable development is required, with at least one year of experience at the international level. Proven experience in coordinating projects is essential, along with strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary, as well as the ability to produce quality reports and synthesize information effectively.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in environmental sciences, sustainability, ecology, geography, or a closely related field is required for this position. Candidates must provide documentation such as diplomas or transcripts to verify their educational qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in areas related to ecosystem conservation, biodiversity restoration, climate adaptation, or sustainable development. At least one year of this experience must have been acquired at the international level, demonstrating the candidate's ability to work in diverse and multicultural environments. Proven experience in project coordination is also a critical requirement for this role.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of English and Spanish. Additionally, knowledge of French is highly desirable, and familiarity with another official UNESCO language such as Arabic, Chinese, or Russian would be considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 12 months, and it is a full-time service contract at the SC4 level. The recruitment is open to external candidates, and the application process requires candidates to complete an online application by the specified deadline. The selection process may include pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and interviews with a panel, along with reference checks. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its hiring process, and it applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. The organization encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply.