Senior Project Assistant (Natural Science)

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Hanoi

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 3

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Hanoi Time) : 25-Apr-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Natural Sciences Program in Viet Nam provides supports in the freshwater, marine, ecological, earth and basic sciences, while at the same time promoting science, innovation and technology and capacity-building in the sciences and engineering.

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), founded in 1975, is a long-term programme executed in successive eight-year phases. IHP is the only United Nations intergovernmental programme devoted to water research, management, and related education and capacity development. In Vietnam, UNESCO has been implementing the IHP IX: Science for a Water Secure world in a changing environment in 2022-2029, to assist strengthening national capacity in addressing water security and climate change challenges in new context.   

Within the framework of IHP IX, UNESCO Vietnam has been implementing projects in the freshwater field including the project “Groundwater resources in the Greater Mekong Sub-region: Collaborative management to increase climate change resilience” funded by The Adaptation Fund (ADF). The project will be implemented in the sub-Mekong region (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) during 2024-2028. The project is in the preparation phase for kick-off in early 2024.

UNESCO Hanoi Office is looking for the position of Senior Project Assistant for Natural Science Unit, to support the projects’ implementation. The position is for Vietnamese nationality only and will work on fulltime basis at UNESCO Country Office in Hanoi.

The post’s level: SC 6. The position will possibly be extended upon fund availability and the performance.

Long Description

Key assignments

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, the direct supervision of the Chief of Natural Science Unit and closely work with National Project Officer, the Senior Project Assistant will support for the IHP’s projects’ implementation, specifically be responsible for the following assignments:

• Provide daily support for the projects’ preparation phase in Vietnam, including the technical kick-off workshops, fact findings missions, planning meetings etc. as appropriate.
• Provide daily support for the program/project team in planning, implementing the project’s activities for the components in Vietnam.
• Provide support in administration of project, notably in procurement, recruitment and logistics related to the project execution, drafting and following up on correspondence/memos, preparing and organizing events/meetings and workshops, taking notes and preparing minutes of meetings and workshops, arranging for missions and making travel arrangements, providing interpretation and translation support, preparing/handling the procurement and contracts, administration of contracts and contract’s tracking, providing inputs for reports, and collect information and literature (including journal articles, newspaper articles, reports etc.) on the topics relevant to the project.

Long Description

• Compile and maintain the filing related to the project (hard copies and soft copies on the office server) and relevant databases for program/projects for the use in the planning, analysis and evaluation of project operations; present data in narrative or graphic formats, as required. This includes files for the natural science program and project activities, consultant roster, contract management files and reports.
• Work closely with national/provincial partners for effective implementation of the project activities in compliance with UNESCO standard operating procedures;
• Support the program/project team, as needed, in communicating and managing consultants and service providers;
• Coordinate and assist translation of documents, and provide interpretation during the meetings when required;
• Assist the projects’ team in monitoring the overall implementation of project activities, and compile statistic, M&E data and analysis for progress/interim/final narrative reporting of the projects.
• Support project team in financial management and monitor expenditure progress of the project on a regular basis for internal and donor reports, carbon tax reporting and financial reports etc.
• Coordinate the editing, design, printing, and dissemination of various publications, and participate in relevant advocacy, outreach and communication activities related to the project.
• Coordinate with the project team, the natural science team and the Communication Officer and collect their inputs for the UNESCO Vietnam website, Facebook and press releases etc.
• Perform any other tasks as deemed appropriate.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in environment, natural resources management, public administration, business, management, finance and/or other relevant fields;

Work experiences

• At least 4 years of relevant work experiences in programme/project support, financial, and/or administrative service acquired at the national level, and/or in natural resources/water/climate change/environment related projects/programmes.

Languages

• Excellent English and Vietnamese

Long Description

Skills/competences

• Excellent ICT skills proficiency in MS Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and related programmes)
• Demonstrated ability in working with established data management tools (spreadsheet, excel sheet. etc.).
• Good organizational, coordination and filling skills; 
• Strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills;
• Highly organized and self-motivated;
• Capacity to deal with people of different cultural backgrounds efficiently and tactfully

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Master’s degree in relevant fields will be a plus.

Work experiences

• Experience working in water/natural resources/environment related projects and initiatives, including related and not limited to water resources management, environment pollution, natural resources management;
• Good knowledge of the major development issues with regards to water/natural resources/environment/climate change, environment pollution and conservation in Viet Nam;
• Experience of operational projects implementation.
• Prior UN experiences or international organization, INGOs is a plus.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

• The position is for Vietnamese nationality only and will work on fulltime basis at UNESCO Country Office in Hanoi. The position level is at SC 6 (remuneration is up to $19,540 gross per annum) and will possibly be extended upon fund availability and the SC holder’s performance.
• UNESCO’s salaries are paid in local currency (VND)

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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