Recruitment notice: PROGRAM MANAGER

EXACT AND NATURAL SCIENCES PROGRAM MANAGER
Supervisory sector: Exact and natural sciences sector (SC)

Place of assignment: Yaounde

Job category: Exact and natural sciences

Type of contract: Service contract

Grade: SB4 (NOA )

Duration of contract: 9 months

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Closing date for applications (midnight Paris time): October 2, 2023

UNESCO fundamental values: Commitment to the Organization, integrity, respect for diversity, professionalism

Only candidates authorized to work in Cameroon can apply for this position

SUMMARY OF POSITION DUTIES

Under the authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa and the direct supervision of the Natural Sciences Program Specialist, the post holder will be responsible for supporting the Specialist on a full-time basis. of Program in the coordination of activities carried out in the 10 Central African countries covered by the Office: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, DRC, CAR, Sao Tome and Principe, Chad. The planned activities must be in accordance with UNESCO’s medium-term strategy 41 C/4 and the validated budget and program 42 C/5, the 2030 and 2063 agendas, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework ( UNSDCF) and national strategy documents.

With this in mind, the post holder will be responsible for:

Support for the regular program:

Contribute to the planning of activities, based on national needs in ecological sciences and earth sciences, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program; water sciences, the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program (IHP); Science Technology and Innovation (STI) and other important contemporary themes (Renewable energies, Climate change, disaster risk management);
Support the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of sector activities;
Support the organization of workshops, conferences and other initiatives integrated into annual work plans;
Interact regularly with different stakeholders (regional, national and local authorities, National Commission for UNESCO, United Nations agencies, scientific institutions, private sector, NGOs, sub-regional organizations) for the development and implementation of joint programs;
Organize field missions and prepare related reports;
Participate in the Organization’s representation activities on the various exchange platforms;
Collaborate, consult, exchange with colleagues from headquarters and those from other offices during program implementation activities, monitoring and drafting periodic reports.
Support for project management

Coordinate the planning of project activities in accordance with their logical frameworks;
Ensure the implementation of activities in close collaboration with the various stakeholders;
Organize monitoring and evaluation missions in the field, ensuring the effective involvement of beneficiaries and the preparation of related reports;
Establish, develop and maintain coherent working relationships with project partners;
Ensure the visibility of projects through regular communication and maintain links with internal and external partners.
Knowledge management and partnership:

Contribute to information activities to raise awareness, visibility and promotion of the sector;
Update and maintain knowledge management systems to ensure adequate and accessible documentation within and outside the sector;
Contribute to the analysis of country-specific problems based on themes;
Contribute to the research and development of partnerships with national authorities, the private sector, civil society, NGOs and multilateral funding agencies.
 

Resource mobilization:

Contribute to resource mobilization by responding to calls for projects and developing concept notes and project proposals in accordance with national priorities in order to strengthen program activities;
Maintain contacts with donors for the financing of extra-budgetary projects.
SKILLS (Fundamental / Managerial)
Responsibility (F)
Communication (F)
Innovation (F)
Knowledge sharing and constant desire for improvement (F)
Planning and organization (F)
Culture of results (F)
Team work (F)
Creation of partnerships (M)
Professionalism (F)
Ability to make the right decisions (M)
Leadership and empowerment of colleagues (M)
Development of strategic thinking (M)
Professional performance management (M)
For more information, please consult the UNESCO Skills Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent degree) in the field of exact and natural sciences with good expertise in sustainable management of natural and hydrological resources or in a related field.

Professional experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at high levels of responsibility in science and/or other related fields, at national and/or sub-regional level;
Experience in project/program development, implementation, management and evaluation.

Skills and Competencies

Good interpersonal skills;
Managerial and organizational skills;
Resource mobilization skills;
Ability to establish and maintain partnerships internally and externally;
Ability to provide high-level advice and technical support on science policy, strategic planning and reform;
Ability to plan strategically and translate strategies into action.
Languages

​​Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of French or English and good knowledge of the other language.
Knowledge of a local language will be an asset.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Professional experience

Experience working with national authorities;
Experience working in a multicultural environment.

Skills and competences

Results-oriented with the ability to persuade and influence;
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare, present and discuss findings and recommendations on issues in a clear and concise manner;
Good computer skills, including knowledge of standard office software;
Proven ability to work effectively in a team and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment;
Ability to multitask and work well under pressure;
Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations system.a