National Technical Project Officer (UNESCO)

National Technical Project Officer (Vietnamese nationality only)

Organization:	The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Sector:	Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station:	Hanoi
Level:	Level 4/SC8
Type and duration of contract:	Service contract (1 year, subjected to be extended, upon performance and fund availability)
Closing date:	20 October 2024

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized international agency that was founded in 1945. UNESCO’s Natural Science sector focuses on implementing major programmes related to freshwater, ecological, earth and basic sciences while also promoting innovative technology and capacity-building initiatives in these fields. Within the framework of IHP phase IX (2022-2029), UNESCO Vietnam has been implementing projects in the fresh-water field, including the project “Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia – Mekong river Delta Aquifer” funded by The Global Environmental Facility (GEF), to be implemented during2024-2028 in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The UNESCO Office in Vietnam is looking for a National Technical Project Officer to coordinate the implementation of the UNESCO’s project components in Vietnam during 2024-2028.

KEY ASSIGNMENT

1. Project implementation

Work closely with national counterparts, (including the Department of Water Resources Management – Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) to ensure all project activities in compliance with Laws and regulations of Viet Nam;
Responsible for the implementation and day-to-day coordination/management of the project in Vietnam, under the supervision of the Chief of Natural Sciences Unit in Hanoi and in coordination with the Regional Project Manager/Technical Advisor, ensuring the achievement of the project objectives, the implementation of the proposed activities and production of the outputs/deliverables as per the approved project document and work plans and in accordance with UNESCO’s rules and regulations;
Coordinate the preparation of the annual national workplans in close collaboration with the Natural Science Team Lead in Hanoi, Regional Technical Advisor, international partners and national counterparts, and ensuring regular monitoring of its implementation;
Coordinate and organize activities in Vietnam, mobilize experts, both from UNESCO and external national and international consultants, and all arrangements related to the project/activity implementation, in consultation with regional project teams and the counterparts, ensuring all key stakeholders are informed on a regular basis on progress of the project as appropriate;
Undertake the appropriate communication and dissemination of information to ensure projects visibility, as well as accountability.
Develop and maintain partner relations with the concerned ministries, national counterparts, including civil society organizations if appropriate;
Liaise, maintain regular and good communication with project partners, participating agencies, governmental counterparts, and other partners as required, to ensure due accountability and efficient implementation.
Ensure the synergy of other project implemented in Vietnam, including the project “Groundwater resources in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Collaborative management to increase resilience (Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, Viet Nam)” funded by the Adaptation Fund and other relevant projects;

2. M&E and Reporting

Responsible for the monitoring, and regular reporting on the progress of the project against annual workplans, project’s M&E indicators in Vietnam, and identify issues that need urgent attention by the regional project teams and counterparts.
Support the Responsible Officer to monitor the financial and administrative aspects of the project implementation in Vietnam and, in consultation with the Finance & Administration Section of UNESCO Ha Noi Office and the relevant sections at UNESCO;
Report on the progress of activities/project in Vietnam on a regular basis to the Natural Science Team Lead;

3. Other tasks

Assist the Chief of the Natural Sciences unit in water related activities under the IHP IX progamme in Vietnam and provide support in developing relevant projects;
Perform other tasks, as deemed appropriate by the Head of UNESCO Ha Noi Office and the Chief of Natural Science Unit.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in in a subject related to hydrology, hydrogeology, and/or natural resource management or environmental sciences, such as water resources management, water sciences, etc. or any relevant field is required; specializations in water cooperation, are most desired;
Work experiences: At least five (5) years of relevant progressively professional experiences in working on natural resource management and/or transboundary water resources management, hydrology, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), water-related hazard/ risk reduction, as well as climate change adaptation and resilience, and/or relevant fields
Skills/Competencies: Excellent computing skills, strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills
Languages: Excellent written and spoken English and Vietnamese