Senior Project Officer

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 it focuses on education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture, and communication/information.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer will serve as the senior manager and strategic technical authority of the Project Management Unit (PMU) for the Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System (KTAS) Project. This project is a five-year initiative aimed at enhancing water security, climate resilience, and ecosystem health in the transboundary region of Kenya and Tanzania. The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for leading the PMU, ensuring coherent and high-quality project execution, integrating various project result areas, supervising staff and consultants, and maintaining high-level relationships for sustainability. The role requires translating project documents into actionable strategies, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards. The incumbent will also represent UNESCO at various forums and engage with stakeholders to promote the project's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for several key functions:

• Strategic Direction and Integrated Delivery: Develop and implement a sequenced strategy based on the approved project document, manage interdependencies, and ensure coherent program advancement.
• Transboundary Governance and High-Level Coordination: Act as the primary interface with various stakeholders, lead the Project Steering Committee, and guide technical committees.
• Technical Authority and Quality Assurance: Establish a technical assurance framework, approve scopes of work, and ensure scientific credibility of project outputs.
• Team Consultant and Partner Performance: Supervise PMU personnel, manage consultants, and coordinate with partners to ensure compliance with work packages.
• Results Compliance and Reporting: Oversee results-based management, ensure timely reporting, and manage compliance with fiduciary requirements.
• Partnerships Financing and Sustainability: Maintain strategic partnerships, track co-financing, and ensure sustainability of project outcomes beyond closure.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Ph.D.) in hydrogeology, geology, water resources management, or a closely related field. They should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least three years at the international level. Experience in leading multidisciplinary water or natural resource programs, managing work plans and budgets, and facilitating government-led processes is essential. Strong strategic judgment, leadership, negotiation, and facilitation skills are also required, along with a command of results-based management and quality assurance.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Ph.D., in fields related to hydrogeology, geology, or water resources management. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of groundwater management and the scientific principles underlying the project.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least seven years of relevant professional experience, with a significant portion of that experience (three years) gained at the international level. This experience should include leading complex, multidisciplinary projects involving multiple institutions and countries, particularly in the context of water resource management and environmental sustainability.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Swahili, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is initially set for one year, with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The position is open to both internal and external candidates, and the application deadline is set for midnight Paris time on October 29, 202

• The role is classified at the P-4 grade level, indicating a senior professional position within UNESCO. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is USD 113,814, and benefits may include annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. Candidates are reminded that geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts at UNESCO.