Programme Specialist

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences (ADG/SC) and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean in Kingston, the incumbent will work in collaboration with Natural Sciences specialists in UNESCO Headquarters and other regional offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, to develop, monitor and implement SC activities in the Caribbean region.

• Within the Natural Sciences programmes, the incumbent will contribute to strengthening collaborative relationships with Member States; National Commissions for UNESCO and relevant Ministries, promoting Natural Sciences for Sustainable Development within the framework of the Science Policy and Basic Sciences (PBS), Open Science, International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP), and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), mainly benefiting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean region.
• Moreover, the incumbent will liaise with the SIDS Section in UNESCO Headquarters, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the IOC Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE) to develop synergies for the purpose of intersectoral initiatives in the interest of SIDS in the Caribbean, as well as joint activities, programmes or projects. The incumbent will also contribute within his/her field of competence to the United Nations (UN) joint activities and programmes in the seven UN Country Teams of the Region and represent the UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector in the UN working groups dealing with the Natural Sciences focus areas.
• The incumbent will work within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), Approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, plans and other relevant regional SIDS agendas.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In particular, the incumbent will:

• Conceptualise, design, plan, develop, coordinate, monitor and implement work plans for major areas of the Natural Sciences Sector Strategy in line with UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), Approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and its corresponding programmes, projects and activities aimed at improving Member States’ national capabilities for the sustainable integrated management of natural resources.
• Develop and implement programme activities promoting research and assist Caribbean Member States in needs’ identification, provide advice on cooperation between regional and international centres, and prepare studies, assessments, analysis, peer reviews as well as gather data and disseminate information.
• Develop, coordinate and manage international and national capacity-building activities.
• Provide expert assistance and technical support to Caribbean Member States, line Ministries, and officials in other levels of government to enable the formulation of sound policy advice and associated implementation of strategies, and sector plan development and sector management for areas related to Natural Sciences.
• Advise and support the Governments in the identification, formulation and implementation of Natural Sciences and contribute to enhancing regional governance and cooperation to strengthen and expand related agendas and projects.
• Provide specialized advice, technical support, and backstopping to other UNESCO multi-sectoral and national field offices, SC-related Category I and Category II Centres, UNESCO Chairs and Institutes, peers, and internal and external colleagues in the Caribbean region.
• Plan, develop and implement outreach strategies and strengthen networks, for improved services and knowledge sharing, increased partnerships, joint programming and integration to regional and international infrastructures.
• Mobilise and coordinate national, regional and international partners working on key strategic issues of the Natural Sciences Sector to support Member States in the region.
• Mobilise extra-budgetary resources and develop a funding strategy, engaging with donors to generate extra-budgetary resources, to support sector-wide planning, science policy analysis, Natural Sciences Sector assessment and management among Member States in line with country policy priorities, the international, national and regional Natural Sciences Sector Support Strategy and UNESCO’s overall resource mobilisation strategies.
• Ensure project management, technical, financial and human resources management.
• Coordinate and supervise staff of the Natural Sciences team, including the identification of human resources needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of Natural Sciences, Engineering or a related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in the field of science, of which preferably three (3) years acquired at the international level.
• Experience in planning, developing, implementing, managing, coordinating and evaluating programmes.
• Experience in managing large-scale projects.
• Experience in fund raising and resource mobilisation.
• Experience in leading and managing teams of professionals in a multicultural work environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Skills/Competencies

• Ability to translate strategy into priorities and actions, and to develop and implement strategic projects and initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Ability to build, develop, and maintain partnerships, and to coordinate, negotiate and deal with partners and networks.
• Proven capacity to produce high-quality analytical reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Solid advocacy and diplomacy skills and ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good knowledge of the regional geopolitical context, challenges and priorities.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Kingston-Programme-Specialist-(Natural-Sciences)-Re-advertisement/802154002/