Associate Programme Specialist (Natural Sciences)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : SC 298

Grade : P-2

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 29-MAR-2024

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences’ Sector (ADG/SC), guidance from the Director of the Division of Science Policy and Basic Sciences, and direct supervision of the Chief of Section for Science Technology and Innovation Policy, the incumbent will be responsible for providing professional and technical support, research and analysis to sectional and divisional work as well as cross-sectional, divisional and programmatic activities and initiatives related to strengthening Science Technology and Innovation (STI) governance, promoting gender equality in science and integrating STI into the broader framework of national, regional, and international development policies. H/she will work within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as any relevant global or regional development plans.

 

In particular, the incumbent will:

Long Description

• Assist in developing and implementing projects related to policy review, design, and implementation in STI. This involves identifying emerging trends in STI policymaking and fostering discussions in global, regional, and national forums.
• Support the organization of meetings, prepare background documents and reports, conduct research, and compile analyses and data for publications and resources in STI governance and policy making.
• Draft project documents, budgets, logical frameworks, and timelines, as well as prepare technical briefings and progress reports for donors. Create terms of reference for consultancy missions and ensure communication with the Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, National Commissions for UNESCO, and UNESCO’s Field Offices. Assist in gathering and analysing data from the Global Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments (GO-SPIN) platform, help maintain and manage the platform's updates, and contribute to the production of the GO-SPIN publication series.
• Contribute to planning international, national, and regional capacity-building activities in STI policy, partnering with relevant entities, and assisting the section in the promotion and coordination of science diplomacy efforts. 
• Support gender equality in science by researching gender gaps, collecting data, and supporting the development of gender transformative STI policies.
• Assist in supporting the UNESCO-L'Oreal For Women in Science programme by aiding in the management, planning, and monitoring of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. 
• Contribute technical input for managing Regular Programme activities by participating in the draft of official programme documents, reporting their implementation to the UNESCO’s Executive Board and General Conference, and updating any relevant data.

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

 

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in one of the relevant fields of basic sciences, natural sciences, and/or STI.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible/relevant professional experience in one of the fields of basic sciences, natural sciences and/ or STI, of which preferably one year (1) acquired in an international environment.
• Proven experience of developing, implementing and managing international scientific projects.

 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Good analytical, organizational and project management skills with good level of autonomy, including the organization of international meetings and events.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to collect, consolidate, synthesize, and analyse information from various sources.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment and with relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside the organization and through various channels.
• Ability to effectively work in a team and maintain working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Proficiency in IT skills on office software.

 

LANGUAGE

• Excellent knowledge of English.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

• Advanced University degree (PhD or equivalent) in one of the relevant fields of basic sciences or natural sciences.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience within a United Nations Agency or programme(s) or within an international organization.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks.
• Experience in research and analysis in the field of natural sciences or STI.

 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment.
• Ability to work in close partnership with a wide range of national, regional and international scientific organizations, professional organizations especially related to STI.
• Good knowledge of UNESCO's work and programmes in the area of natural sciences.

 

LANGUAGE

• Good working knowledge of French.
• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 71 053 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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 is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States (last update here) 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.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.