Vacancy Notice: NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL OFFICER (NATURAL SCIENCES)

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences Sector (ADG/SC) and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Beirut (DIR/FU/BEI), the incumbent will contribute to the design, coordination and implementation of activities carried out under the Major Programme II - Natural Sciences in the Arab States Region in view of supporting Lebanon in its effort to implement its National Development plans and policies, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in coordination with the Natural Sciences Senior Programme Specialist. 

He/She will also contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and support to a certain extent the Natural Sciences Senior Programme Specialist in natural science programming for the five Member States (i.e. Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria) under Beirut Office's geographical mandate.

In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for providing professional and technical support, research and analysis, with an emphasis on the Lebanese national context to develop, implement and evaluate programme initiatives to promote learning and sustainable societies and support Lebanon in advancing science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges and build back better after crisis towards the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendations on Open Science. 

• Assist with professional and technical support in the identification, design, planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities in the field of natural sciences in the region within the framework of Major Programme II and in line with the Natural Sciences Sector's strategies and priorities, to promote learning and sustainable societies, and support Lebanon in advancing science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and socio-economic challenges.
• Participate in Regular Programme (C/5) work plans' preparation and implementation, policy formulation discussions, and other sector-related strategy formulation activities.
• Facilitate the coordination and oversight of programme and project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in natural sciences, covering the Ecological and Earth Sciences (EES), International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Science Policy and Basics Sciences (PBS).
• Take part in the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office's interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts, including the formulation of concept notes and project development for extra-budgetary funding through participation in intersectoral programmes and activities in the areas of environment, biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk reduction, science education, education for sustainable development, world natural heritage and world heritage biodiversity programmes and local and indigenous knowledge.
• Support and participate in UNESCO's involvement in joint programming exercises within the framework of the United Nations Reform, such as Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Frameworks (UNSDCFs) in Lebanon.

COMPETENCIES

Communication (C)

Accountability (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

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the relevant field of Natural Sciences related disciplines (Environment, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences and Science Policy) and/or Engineering.

Work Experience

• Less than 2 (two) years of relevant professional experience in the field of sciences such as Environment, Water Resources and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

• Experience in science coordination and programme management, and implementation of programmes/projects, and expertise in science policy.

Skills/Competencies

• Good programme and project management skills.

• Good analytical, organizational and coordination skills.

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment, with tact and sensitivity to diversity.

• Ability to build, maintain and enhance working relations with national/local authorities as well as key stakeholders in the civil society, such as national and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the cluster countries and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.

• Ability to communicate (written and oral) with various stakeholders, within and outside the organization and through various channels including the web and social media.

• Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and very good knowledge of Arabic.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in the natural sciences, including environmental / water / ecological science.

Working Experience

• Experience with the government or private sector in the field of natural sciences.

• Experience with specialized agencies of the UN system and/or professional Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and/or organizations for international technical cooperation.

• Experience in promoting regional cooperation among the MENA Region.

• Knowledge of the geopolitical context of the MENA Region.

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 organization.

• Good knowledge of UNESCO's work and programmes in the area of Natural Sciences.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official UNESCO languages (Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).