National Professional Officer

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Description

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• Provide professional and technical support in the identification, design, planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities in the field of natural sciences in Iraq in the framework of Major Programme II and in line with the Natural Sciences Sector’s strategies and priorities to promote learning and sustainable societies, and support the Member State in advancing science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges.
• Participate in Regular Programme (C/5) work plans, policy formulation discussions, and other sector-related strategy formulation activities.
• Coordinate and monitor the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes and projects in Natural Sciences, including the Ecological and Earth Sciences (EES), Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Science Policy and Basics Sciences (PBS).
• Lead the UNESCO Baghdad Office’s interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts, 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, science education, education for sustainable development, world natural heritage and world heritage biodiversity programmes and local and indigenous knowledge.
• Participate and provide technical support to UNESCO’s involvement in joint programming exercises with the framework of the United Nations (UN) Reform, such as Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Coordination Frameworks (UNSDCFs) in Baghdad.
• Provide technical advice and support to 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 as well as contribute to the development of pertinent strategy papers, technical notes, frameworks and scientific documents, articles that contribute to the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.
• Long Description
• Maintain strategic partnerships with other UN Agencies, in particular with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Multilateral and Bilateral Development partners in collaboration with colleagues from UNESCO Headquarters and Field Offices, Category I and Category II Centres and Institutes in Natural Sciences to foster opportunities for joint programming activities related to Natural Sciences, within the implementation of the common UN Country Programmes in support of UNSDCFs.
• Identify and contribute to the formulation of the Office resource mobilisation strategy and its biennial implementation plans in particular, to develop in collaboration with other Programme Officers interdisciplinary concepts 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 to that end.
• Prepare and submit quarterly/yearly work plans of regular budget programmes and extrabudgetary projects as per approved project documents, establish corresponding budgets, monitor the budgetary and financial status of the projects and decentralised budgets and ensure financial accountability. 
• Ensure the appropriate implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Natural Sciences Programme is decentralised to the Office and provide timely quarterly/yearly reports

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the relevant field of natural sciences related disciplines (Water Resources Management, Environment, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences and Science Policy) and/or Engineering.

• Minimum of 2 (two) years of relevant professional experience in the field of natural sciences such as Environment, Water Resources Management and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
• Experience in science coordination and programme management, design and implementation of  programmes/projects, particularly in water resources Management projects, including expertise in science policy. 

• Good programme and project management skills.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and needs and ability to plan strategically and translate strategy into priorities and action.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment with tact and sensitivity to diversity.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively with various stakeholders, within and outside the Organization and through various channels including the web and social media.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software.

• Excellent knowledge of English and very good knowledge of Arabic.

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