UNESCO-GEF PROJECT NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR TURKMENISTAN (SB-4 SC8/NOA MIN)

Parent Sector: Field Office

Duty Station: Turkmenistan, Ashgabat

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract: Non Staff

Level: Level 4

Duration of contract: 1 year with the 3 months’ probation period

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 01-MAY-2024

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Almaty Office, in close coordination with the GEF Project Manager, the Incumbent shall act as a National Coordinator in implementing the GEF Project activities in Turkmenistan by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Projects Management Support:

• Manage the overall implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Project in compliance with overall objectives, specific objectives, expected outputs, outcomes and activities at country (Turkmenistan) level.
• Act as a liaison for day-to-day problem-solving and support.
• Independently trouble-shoot common problems and report more complex issues to the Project Manager in the Almaty Office and follow up until resolved.

2. Project Coordination:

• Coordinate the administrative activities of the project including mobilizing staff and international consultants, maintaining project files, requesting purchases for goods and services, ensuring submission of project deliverables, and close-down.
• Perform administrative tasks for the project including contracting arrangements, vendor creation and update, procurement management according to UNESCO rules.
• Undertake travel if and as needed, upon the request of the Project Management Teams.

3. Contract Management:

• Initiate requests for approvals; coordinate submissions for contract modifications and coordinates all other requests for contract support.
• Draft routine contractual documents using approved templates.
• Identify and synthesize potential issues and present possible solutions to the Project Manager and project teams.
• Monitor compliance with contract and regulations and assist project partners as needed.

4. Activities support:

• Ensure strategic planning of country-level activities in accordance with the Project work plan and in close coordination with the Project Officer and project management team.
• Support the Project Management Team at UNESCO Almaty in organizing and follow-up of the Project-related meetings, events, and missions to Turkmenistan.
• Support all organizational arrangements for the Project activities and Project-related meetings at country level – both online and offline.

5. Financial Management:

• Responsible for ensuring processing and review of project financial transactions and project invoices.
• Create and/or maintain project budget tool and ensure data to monitor the budget implementation.
• Support financial analysis, forecasts, and ad-hoc financial reporting, when requested.

6. Development and Reporting:

• Serve as country-specific information provider around client knowledge, partnering and local staffing.
• Provide inputs to the narrative annual reports, Project Performance Reports, SISTER reports, other briefings, information notes, talking points, etc. as requested by the Project Manager, pertaining to the project activities in Turkmenistan.
• Upon request, contribute to the activities of the environmental Results Group of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Turkmenistan.

7. Visibility and Awareness:

• Serve as a Project liaison to national counterparts, country-level civil society organizations and other country-level stakeholders.
• Awareness raising with regard to the project’s objectives and activities. Provide information to country-level stakeholders as well as the general public.
• Coordinate country representation in all project-related activities, events, meetings by liaising with national partners and ensuring their participation.
• Provide inputs and necessary information for the Project Knowledge Management Platform as requested by the Project Manager and the Project Communication Expert.
• Contribute to the communication efforts of the Project management team to ensure the Projects’ visibility at country level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in international development, environment, sustainable management of natural resources, climate related studies, disaster risk reduction and/or other fields closely related to the position. An advanced university degree may be replaced by a first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) and at least two (2) years of additional relevant work experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementation of projects and programmes in natural sciences related field
• Demonstrated solid knowledge (academic or professional) in the sustainable management of natural resources, environment, climate change adaptation, with an emphasis on disaster risk reduction in Central Asia as an asset
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and in the public participation development process

SKILLS/COMPETENCES

• Knowledge of UN procedures, rules and regulations
• Strong administrative skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexibility to adjust to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches
• Proactiveness and ability to take initiative, with strong analytical and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with sufficient level of autonomy
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences
• Able to build and maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external partners from diverse backgrounds

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written).
• Knowledge of Turkmen Language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Specialized training/certification in secretarial, administrative or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Working experience within UNESCO or UN agencies.
• Previous experience with UN projects and/or GEF-funded projects.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary: base monthly gross USD 1,939.08 (monthly rates in reference to the local UN FTA salary scales of the locally recruited staff, corresponding to 66% of the gross base salary; subject to change in case of changes in local UN salary scale).

To get additional information and apply for the position, please follow the link.