National Project Assistant for Sciences Unit

United Nations specialized agency with a specific mandate for science, UNESCO works to advance and promote science in the interests of peace, sustainable development, and human livelihoods, in close collaboration with its Member States and a wide variety of partners. Recognizing the urgent need to address cross-cutting global issues such as climate change and natural disaster reduction, UNESCO has acted as a catalyst for many initiatives with far-reaching implications for sustainable human security and well-being.

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is a scientific program launched in 1971 that aims to improve the relationship between people and their environments. It uses Biosphere Reserves (BR) as a tool to promote the conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use.

The “Groundwater Resources in the Greater Mekong Sub-region” project, funded by the Adaptation Fund (ADF), focuses on groundwater management and climate resilience in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Vietnam. The project aims to develop policies, improve technical systems for monitoring and management, and build capacity through education and technical assistance.

The “Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer” project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), focuses on improving the governance and sustainable utilization of the shared Cambodia-Mekong Delta Aquifer. The project involves joint scientific studies, piloting solutions for transboundary groundwater management, establishing cooperation mechanisms, implementing legal and policy reforms, and enhancing institutional capacity.

With financial support from EU through FAO, UNESCO Phnom Penh Office in Cambodia has been managing and implementing the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) project. The project implemented as part of the “Complementary Support to the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector – Capture Component (CAPFISH-Capture program)”, in partnership with FAO, and with overall support from the European Union.

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, and the direct supervision of the National Project Officer of the Natural Sciences Unit at the UNESCO Phnom Penh Office, the National Project Assistant shall undertake the following tasks: 

• The Project on “Groundwater Resources in the Greater Mekong Sub-region: Collaborative Management to Increase Climate Change Resilience” Project in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand and Viet Nam) under Adaptation Fund (ADF) and the Project on Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia -Mekong River Delta Aquifer under GEF fund (GEF).
• Draft and provide inputs for, and review project reports, including progress narratives, donor reports, and thematic papers including concept notes, policy brief etc.
• Organize workshops, conferences, and consultative meetings and prepare meeting notes/minutes and provide support for follow-up activities.
• Assist the Unit in designing communication materials, including website news articles, social media content, and advocacy materials, to ensure wide circulation of UNESCO’s initiatives related to groundwater resources with relevant stakeholders.
• Literature review, collecting and mapping out the related data, maps and information on groundwater resources in Cambodia as well as in region and global.
• Mapping projects, experts and stakeholders related to groundwater and build network.
• Partnership building and strengthen coordination such as i) liaise with academic institutes, universities, and stakeholders working in the projects and ii) strengthen coordination among various actors to promote effectiveness and efficiency of project implementation.
• Support and engage in capacity-building efforts, particularly in water security, climate change resilience, and sustainable management of groundwater resources.
• Support the project team, experts/consultants and partners in managing and conducting field missions.

Support the implementation of TSBR Project and the Women for Bees programme in Cambodia:

• Provide input in drafting the terms of reference (ToR), concept notes, reports and relevant thematic papers.
• Assist in monitoring project activities by following up with partners, experts, and conducting site visits.
• Coordinate with communities, partners, experts, and other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment and strengthened network.
• Promote awareness and visibility of project through development-of communication materials, such as stories, posters, articles, social media posts and other knowledge products.
• Provide technical assistance to the SC Unit to promote and expand UNESCO’s Natural Science initiatives in Cambodia, including enlisting UNESCO-designated sites (Biosphere Reserve, Geoparks), Education for Sustainable Development, and other initiatives. This includes through research and analysis, drafting thematic papers, concept notes, and conducting site visits.
• Support the Unit with translating documents and thematic papers from English to Khmer and vice versa, as required.
• Assist admin and financial functions of the projects as well as SC unit, including monitoring budget expenditures, preparing financial reports and other admin and operational supports such as contract initiative and management.
• Carry out any additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Natural Sciences Unit and the UNESCO Representative.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Water Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, GIS applications, Natural Resources Management or other related subjects.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in both English and Khmer.

Working Experiences:

• Minimum 2 years of experience engaging in projects related to water management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development with UN agencies and other international partners.

Source:  https://careers.unesco.org/job/Phnom-Penh-National-Project-Assistant-for-Sciences-Unit/790374902/