Project Assistant

PROJECT ASSISTANT (NATURAL SCIENCES)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)Duty Station: HanoiJob Family: Natural SciencesType of contract : Non StaffLevel : Level 2Duration of contract : 1 yearRecruitment open to : Internal and external candidatesApplication Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-Mar-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

A. BackgroundThe UNESCO Natural Sciences Program in Viet Nam provides supports in the freshwater, marine, ecological, earth and basic sciences, while at the same time promoting science, innovation and technology and capacity-building in the sciences and engineering. Particularly, focus of UNESCO’s natural sciences program in Viet Nam will endeavor to strengthen the roles and potentials of the UNESCO designated biosphere reserves and other UNESCO-affiliated sites, along with their associated networks, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk management, green and blue economies and as sites for collaboration with other international innovative environmental initiatives.Starting in early 2020, UNESCO Vietnam have been implementing the project “Youth and Innovation for Ocean Initiatives” (or Mobilizing youth for Zero Waste in UNESCO's designated sites in Vietnam), in partnership with The Coca Cola Foundation (TCCF). The project aims to support UNESCO World Man and Biosphere Reserves and coastal communities in Viet Nam to combat plastic waste by empowering youth and young professionals to put forward innovative and practical solutions in the areas of collecting, sorting, treating, recycling and reusing – all fostering sustainable and green growth in the country. The project reflects UNESCO’s commitment to support Viet Nam to maintain a healthy and sustainable ocean environment, contributing to both the National Strategy on Sustainable Marine Economy until 2030, vision 2045, and the National Action Plan for Management of Marine Plastic Litter by 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Long Description

The project objectives are (i) Enhanced public awareness and action on the core issues related to plastic waste through long-term, youth-driven public campaigns and educational activities; (ii) Creation of the Youth and Young Professionals on Innovation, Science and Technology Platform for Resiliency (U-INSPIRE) as a national hub for supporting knowledge sharing and innovative ideas from young Vietnamese citizens to address key environmental and development issues in Viet Nam (further information https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-and-coca-cola-foundation-launch-youth-and-innovation-ocean-initiative). The project site is HoiAn – CuLaoCham and CatBa Island Biosphere Reserve.UNESCO Hanoi is looking for a Project Assistant to provide support for the implementation of the new phase of “Youth and Innovation for Ocean Initiative" project (or Mobilizing Youth for Zero Waste in UNESCO’s designated sites in Vietnam” project) during 2022-2023. The position is for Vietnamese nationality only and will work on fulltime basis at UNESCO Country Office in Hanoi. The position will possibly extend upon fund availably and performance.

Long Description

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, the direct supervision of the Chief of Natural Science Unit, and work closely with Associate Project Officer, the Project Assistant will be responsible for the following assignments:

Provide daily supports for the project team in planning, implementing the project’s activities. This entails drafting and following up on correspondence/memos, preparing and organizing events/meetings and workshops, taking notes and preparing minutes of meetings and workshops, arranging for missions and making travel arrangements, providing interpretation and translation support, assisting administration and financial matters, preparing/handling the procurement and contracts, administration of contracts and contract’s tracking, providing inputs for reports, and collect information and literature (including journal articles, newspaper articles, reports etc.) on the topics relevant to the project.
Maintain the filing related to the project (hard copies and soft copies on the office server) and relevant databases for program. This includes files for the natural science program and project activities, consultant roster, contract management files and reports.
Work closely with national/provincial partners for effective implementation of the project activities in compliance with UNESCO standard operating procedures;
Support the program/project team, as needed, in communicating and managing consultants and service providers;

Long Description

Coordinate and assist translation of documents, and provide interpretation during the meetings when required;
Support project team in financial management and monitor expenditure progress of the project on a regular basis for internal and donor reports, carbon tax reporting and financial reports etc.
Assist compilation of M&E data for development of Beneficiary Report and Progress/final Reporting of the project
Coordinate the editing, design, printing, and dissemination of various publications, and participate in relevant advocacy and awareness raising activities related to the project.
Coordinate with the Associate Project Officer, the natural science team and the Communication Officer and collect their inputs for the UNESCO Vietnam website, Facebook and press releases etc.
Perform any other tasks as deemed appropriate.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Communication (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Accountability (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environment, natural resources management, public administration, business, management, finance and/or other relevant fields

Work experiences

At least 4 years of relevant work experiences in programme support, financial, and/or administrative service acquired at national level, and/or in natural resources/environment related programmes and projects.

Languages

Excellence both in English and Vietnamese

Skills/competences

Excellent ICT skills including proficiency in MS Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and related programmes)
Demonstrated satisfactory in working with spreadsheet, excel sheet.
Good coordination and filling skills;
Strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills;
Highly organized and self-motivated;

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work experiences

Experience working in natural resources/environment related projects and initiatives, including related and not limited to waste management, environment pollution, ocean/marine protection, natural resources management.
Good knowledge of the major development issues with regards to environment, plastic issues, pollution and conservation in Viet Nam;
Experience of operational projects implementation.
Prior UN experiences or experiences in international organizations, INGOs is a plus.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

The position is for Vietnamese nationality only and will work on fulltime basis at UNESCO Country Office in Hanoi. The position will possibly extend upon fund availably and performance.
Renumeration: US$ 11,792/annum, included social and medical benefit.
UNESCO's salaries are paid in local currency (VND)

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

UNESCO is a non-smoking organization.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
A written test may be used in the evaluation of the candidates.

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 recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as 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. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities 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.