National Officer for Natural Sciences

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office in Apia, and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences, UNESCO Suva, the incumbent will assist in contributing to the implementation, monitoring and reporting on activities carried out under the Major Programme II – Natural Sciences in the Pacific region, as well as in view of supporting the Member States in their efforts to implement the National Development Plan (NDP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF), contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, post-SAMOA pathway and 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

The Incumbent shall, in particular:

• Assist in providing with professional and technical support, research and analysis for the implementation of  international, regional and national agendas and plans  in line with UNESCO Natural Sciences programme priorities to advance science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges,  and in the interest of the Pacific region, including and notably the SIDS.
• Work as part of the interdisciplinary UNESCO Pacific team, under the technical guidance from Natural Science Programme Specialist in UNESCO Suva, and in close collaboration with the Natural Sciences Programme units at the Headquarters.
• Contribute in strengthening collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders, such as the UN system, National Commissions and relevant Ministries and partners in Member States, as well as CROP agencies in the Pacific region.
• Assist in identification, design, planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of activities in line with UNESCO Small Island Developing States Operational Strategy and its Accelerators and considering Global priority on Gender Equality.

TASKS

• TASK 1. Assist in facilitating the RP programme and extrabudgetary project development, design, implementation, and reporting in Natural Sciences, covering Ecological and Earth Sciences, the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and STI and STEM, as well as Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction, in line with priorities and needs of the Pacific region.
• TASK 2. Contribute to the UNESCO Suva office’s interdisciplinary and intersectoral activities, including the formulation of concept notes and project development for extra-budgetary funding through participation in intersectoral programmes and activities in the areas of environment, biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk reduction, STEM education, science policy, world natural heritage,  local and indigenous knowledge, including those in line with UNESCO Small Island Developing States Operational Strategy and its Accelerators
• TASK 3. As requested, represent UNESCO Natural Science Programme in joint results and thematic groups and contribute to various programming exercises with the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Frameworks (UNSDCF) in the Pacific region and joint fundraising with UN agencies. Contribute to ongoing activities, including UNINFO inputs, under the Planet Results Group in close partnership with Fiji, Samoa, Micronesia UN MCOs as well as UN in PNG.
• TASK 4. Provide technical advice and support to the national institutions and other stakeholders in charge of sciences, technology and innovation for policy and research action-oriented activities on new emerging national and global trends in sciences and contribute to the development of pertinent strategy papers, technical notes, frameworks and scientific documents, articles that contribute to the implementation of the Natural Sciences programme.
• TASK 5. Contribute to strategic partnerships with other  UNESCO field offices, UN Agencies based in the Pacific region, and other, as well as Multilateral and Bilateral Development partners, category I and Category II Centers and Institutes in Natural Sciences, as well as chairs,  to foster opportunities for joint programming activities related to Natural Sciences, in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Frameworks (UNSDCF) and regional frameworks of the Pacific.
• TASK 6. Support the formulation of the Office strategy and its implementation plans in particular, develop in collaboration with other Programme Officers an interdisciplinary concept notes and project proposals aimed at consolidating and complementing the regular budget-funded programme activities in Natural Sciences and formulate the required resource mobilisation and alternative funding mechanisms, partnerships strategies and plans, including in line with the UNESCO Small Island Developing States Operational Strategy and its Accelerators, post-SAMOA pathway, and the Blue Pacific Strategy.
• TASK 7.  Support in preparing and submitting contractual documentation, ToRs and concept notes under regular budget programme with focus on science-based assessments on water, biodiversity, STEM, STI as well as support in advancing the extrabudgetary project proposals in a pipeline and assist in developing new proposals, in line with Natural Sciences programme priorities, and ensuring the financial accountability.
• TASK 8: Contribute to visibility and communication of the work of Natural Sciences programme in Samoa and the Pacific, through social media and available web platforms, as per UNESCO rules and regulations.
• TASK 9: Provide with any other support as requested by the Director of the office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of Natural Sciences related disciplines
• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the field of  Natural Sciences, which at least 2 years acquired at regional and/or international level.
• Proven experience in science coordination and programme management, designing and implementing programmes/projects, and demonstrating expertise in science related activities

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Suva-National-Officer-for-Natural-Sciences/793933502/