Associate Project Officer (Island Watch Project)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: SCS/PA 064

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector:  Sciences Sector (SCS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 30/11/2026

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

Initial appointment is for one (1) year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are at the frontline of climate change, biodiversity loss, water insecurity, ecosystem degradation and disaster risk. At the same time, they hold significant ocean, coastal, freshwater, terrestrial and cultural knowledge systems that are central to global sustainability, resilience and climate action.

UNESCO’s 2023–2029 Operational Strategy for Small Island Developing States provides an intersectoral framework to support SIDS through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Within this framework, and under the Accelerator Programme 1, IslandWatch has been developed as a multi-ecosystem citizen science initiative to strengthen environmental monitoring, education, digital innovation, community engagement and evidence-based decision-making in SIDS.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Director of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences and Secretary of the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Section for Man and the Biosphere, Biodiversity and Ecosystems and in articulation with the SIDS Section in PAX, the incumbent shall support the implementation of the Island Watch initiative in the three selected SIDS. 

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In close coordination with relevant programme officers in the Sciences Sector, the Education Sector, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and concerned UNESCO field offices (Dakar and Nairobi Regional Offices), the incumbent shall contribute to the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities, with a view to ensuring coherent country-level implementation, stakeholder engagement, capacity development, knowledge management, environmental monitoring, data systems development and donor reporting.

In this context, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

Citizen Science, Environmental Monitoring and Country Implementation

• Support the design, implementation and scaling-up of citizen science-based environmental monitoring systems across participating SIDS, covering freshwater, coastal, marine, biodiversity and other priority ecosystems, in coordination with the identified internal and external experts.
• Contribute to the development and operationalisation of monitoring frameworks, methodologies, indicators and implementation approaches that support long-term ecosystem observation, environmental stewardship and resilience-building.
• Support processes for the selection of ecosystems and monitoring sites, including stakeholder consultations and validation.
• Assist in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of country roadmaps, workplans, deliverables and milestones.
• Maintain regular engagement with national counterparts, technical institutions, UNESCO Field Offices relevant United Nations/inter-agency partners, implementing partners and community stakeholders.
• Support the planning and implementation of field missions, technical consultations, training activities and stakeholder meetings, including preparation of documentation, reports and follow-up. 

Data Management, Quality Assurance and Digital Innovation

• Support the development and implementation of data management and quality assurance approaches for citizen-generated environmental data, including data collection, validation, documentation, and reporting processes. 
• Assist in coordinating and documenting data flows, monitoring processes, and country submissions, in collaboration with technical experts, implementing partners, and participating countries. 
• Contribute to the coordination and continuous improvement of digital tools and platforms supporting IslandWatch, including mobile data collection, dashboards, visualization tools, artificial intelligence-assisted analysis, and linkages with relevant UNESCO-supported data systems.

Analysis and Knowledge Development 

• Contribute to research and analysis related to citizen science, environmental monitoring, human-nature connections, biodiversity, climate resilience, environmental education, and community-generated data systems, including emerging trends, innovations, and best practices.
• Contribute to and support the development of technical guidance, monitoring methodologies, training materials, toolkits, and other knowledge products.
• Support the preparation of technical notes, policy briefs, concept notes, reports, lessons learned products, and other knowledge resources.
• Contribute to documenting and disseminating experiences, results and lessons emerging from country implementation.

Capacity Development, Institutional Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

• Support efforts to strengthen the uptake and use of citizen-generated environmental data in environmental management, resilience planning, reporting, and decision-making processes.
• Assist organizing training activities, workshops, consultations, and other capacity development initiatives for government institutions, schools, youth, civil society organizations, and technical partners.
• Support collaboration with UNESCO Chairs, Category 2 Centres, universities, scientific institutions, centres of excellence and other strategic partners.
• Support engagement with relevant regional and global initiatives, networks and policy processes related to citizen science, biodiversity, climate resilience and environmental monitoring.
• Contribute to partnership development, project visibility, resource mobilization, and engagement with relevant regional and global networks.

Project Coordination and Operational Support

• Support day-to-day project coordination, including progress tracking, internal reporting, consolidation of inputs to technical deliverables, and monitoring of implementation timelines to proactively identify and address bottlenecks, delays, and implementation risks.
• Assist with procurement processes, contract follow-up, administrative coordination, and budget monitoring of project activities, in close coordination with administrative and finance colleagues.
• Maintain relevant project documentation and contribute to the preparation of progress updates, implementation reports, and information required for internal and external reporting.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the fields of science, international development, or related fields. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience, of which prefereably one year at the international level.
• Experience supporting the design and/or implementation of environmental monitoring activities, preferably involving multiple stakeholders or countries.
• Experience in project coordination, including preparation and monitoring of workplans, deliverables, and implementation timelines.
• Experience in technical analysis and preparation of reports, guidance materials, or knowledge products.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Ability to work effectively with government counterparts, scientific and technical institutions, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders;
• Ability to contribute effectively to multidisciplinary and intersectoral initiatives in addressing the complex and interconnected development challenges faced by Small Island Developing States;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to draft technical, operational, governance and policy-related documents clearly and succinctly in English;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and prepare clear recommendations;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage multiple workstreams, priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to multicultural teams.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English (written, spoken, reading comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience within the United Nations System, or other international organizations in project implementation, advocacy, and communication activities.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Understanding of the environmental and social context in SIDS and its importance for project design and implementation.
• Knowledge of international frameworks and policy processes relating to biodiversity, climate resilience, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development.

LANGUAGES

• Basic knowledge of French.
• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).
• Knowledge of Portuguese.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 84 349 EUR.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 to 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.