EES Programme Assistant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Cairo

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : 

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31-Dec-2021

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) holds scientific and intellectual leaderships in the field of Ecology and Earth Sciences.  In the field of earth sciences, UNESCO works at the interface between natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication to foster socio-economic and ecological resilience in areas prone to Natural Hazards and to promote the conservation of Geological Heritage in the framework of UNESCO Global Geoparks programme.

UNESCO assists counties in building and strengthening capacities in risks prevention and it plays a vital role in supporting Member States in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015-2030, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement. The project entitled ‘Urgent Interventions to strengthen the Socio-Ecological Systems Resilience in MENA Region’ funded by the Government of Japan, is designed to provide instruments and tools to boost the readiness of communities in addressing and managing Natural Hazards risks. Its aim is to strengthen Socio-Ecological Systems resilience in risks prone areas in MENA region. 

Long Description

UNESCO’s work with geoparks began in 2001. The Organization supports Member States in the establishment of UNESCO Global Geoparks all around the world.  In this context, the project 'Management Schemes for UNESCO Global Geoparks in Latin America, the Caribbean, West - and North Africa (Arab States)' funded by The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), aims at designing schemes to ensure the readiness of aspiring Geopark Sites in North Africa - Arab States) to join UNESCO Global Geopark Network. It shall provide support for the designation of new aspiring Geopark sites in the region and raise awareness on UNESCO Global Geopark Concept as a mean for the conservation of geological resources among other natural resources.

Task Descriprion

Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo (UCO), under the overall supervision of the UCO Director and the direct supervision of the EES Programme at UCO, the Programme Assistant will:

1. Work under the supervision of a senior professional or group of professionals
2. Perform a variety of administrative and clerical duties contributing to the smooth and efficient running of a work unit ensuring the flow and management of information within the unit
3. Act independently in routine matters and finds solutions to new problems after discussion with the supervisor.

Long Description

He/she will undertake the following tasks:

• Support in data collection and information gathering to meet the requirements of all undertaken activities by assisting in the planning and organization of regional and national workshops, trainings and meetings;
• Assist in the follow up on the projects team members work and deliverables and provide assistance in the reporting of the Programme implementation;
• Assist in the coordination with regional and national stakeholders, consultants, and UNESCO personnel in organizing events and Programme's activities;
• Keep track of contracts and disbursement of funds in coordination with UNESCO personnel in charge of Administration and Finances;
• Support in maintaining the development of comprehensive portfolio recording the Programme’s memory including administrative and logistic aspects of the projects;

• Arrange appointments for the supervisor, receives visitors, places and screens telephone calls and responds to routine requests for information; Provide secretarial, administrative and logistics support to meetings, committees, conferences.
• Respond or drafts responses to standard/routine correspondence and other communications.
• Make travel and hotel arrangements and prepares travel authorizations/claims for supervisor(s);
• Create spreadsheets and presentations; manage and update databases for mailing lists and other information; and maintain electronic and paper files;
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Completed bachelor degree in the field of earth sciences, ecology, environmental sciences, public administration, humanities, arts or related fields, or an equivalent professional experience would be an asset. 

Language:

Fluency in Arabic and English language.

Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Work Experience

• Two to three years of relevant professional experience in administration and/or general office support or related area,  directly linked to the coordination and management of projects, ideally focused on one or more of the areas cited below:
• i) Environmental science and management,
• ii) Biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration,
• iii) Disaster Risk Reduction, Ecosystem resilience and social preparedness.
• Experience working on a regional or international level or in the UN System is an asset.
• Experience working directly with government officials and other high-level experts in the Arab region (ideally in Egypt and/or Jordan) is an asset.
• Experience working with Japanese partners, and/or some knowledge of ecological resilience is desired but not required.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Footer