OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-AUG-2023

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

1. Background and Rationale

The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) was mandated to coordinate the implementation of the Decade.

The UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) is the regional body of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) for the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. Its mission is to advance ocean knowledge and cooperation through ocean research, ocean observations and services, and capacity development, in order to assist Member States in the conservation and sustainable development of ocean, seas and marine resources.

The WESTPAC Office is the IOC Regional Secretariat for the Sub-Commission. The Office will assume the function as a Decade Coordination Office (DCO), responsible for coordinating Decade Actions across all Ocean Decade Challenges in the Western Pacific region and its adjacent areas. The WESTPAC Office is hosted by the Government of Thailand and administratively attached to the UNESCO Bangkok Office. The Office is located in the Government Complex Building B, Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok, Thailand.

We are looking for a qualified consultant to fill the role of “Decade Regional Coordination Officer” and support a variety of tasks related to the implementation of the Ocean Decade in the region.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

2. Key Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau Multisectoral Regional Office for the Asia and Pacific in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok), and the direct supervision of the Head of the WESTPAC Office/DCO, the incumbent shall work closely with the office team, and carry out the following tasks in collaboration with the Decade Coordination Unit (Paris),

• Assist in coordinating the Ocean Decade Actions under the purview of the Sub-Commission and the Decade Coordination Office, including the organization of Decade related meetings in the region, acting as secretary for the meetings, and prepare meeting documents, reports, news coverage and publications on the outputs and outcomes;
• Maintain updated information of relevant Decade Actions, when they are relevant for its scope of work; and develop web contents for Decade Actions which is under the purview of the Sub-Commission
• Track and monitor progress of DCO activities and initiatives, and support Decade Actions, which fall within its scope of work to carry out annual monitoring in line with the Ocean Decade Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
• Support the identification and development of Decade Actions in the region in response to the periodic Calls for Decade Action, plan and implement activities to increase synergies and collaboration between endorsed Decade Actions in the region;

• Plan and implement initiatives to convene stakeholders within its scope of work with the aim of increasing engagement in the Ocean Decade within the region. This includes government, UN, philanthropic, industry, NGO and scientific stakeholders, as well as National Decade Committees;
• Liaise with relevant Decade Collaborative Centers and Decade Implementing Partners;
• Contribute to resource mobilization to support the implementation of Decade Actions in the region;
• Research, write and edit compelling and easily understandable content about ocean science and the Decade Actions in the region, for publications (brochures, leaflets, posters), newsletters, social media and other outreach materials etc.;
• Perform other functions as requested by the Head of the WESTPAC Office/DCO.
• Submit to UNESCO the following deliverables:
  • The consultant will produce work products associated with the Specific Tasks outlined above and participate in Ocean Decade meetings as well as provide regular updates on progress and monthly activity reports by the end of the month (September 2023 – August 2024, tentatively)

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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Qualifications and Skill Required

• Advanced University Degree in the field of ocean science, environmental sciences, programme development and management

• At least 5-7 years’ professional international experience, including demonstrated experience in project and programme development and management
• Fundraising, partnership development and resource mobilization experience

• Agility and flexibility; ability to meet tight deadlines and manage changing priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail
• Highly organized, be able to work on several tasks simultaneously, be able to prioritize and to utilize efficient time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to collaborate and work in a team in a multicultural environment.

The consultant is also expected to have a deep understanding of the United Nations system, the IOC-UNESCO and the Ocean Decade and its significance.

The supervisor will brief the Consultant at the start of the contract, and a series of meetings will be organized to get the Consultant acquainted with the work of the Ocean Decade and the WESTPAC Office/Decade Coordination Office.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individuals are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok Office the specific requirements through careers.unesco.org. A consortium of individuals is also permitted to apply for the consultancy.

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work with a list of past similar work or report/publication written with hyperlinks to access such paper if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline.
• A brief technical proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment.
• The proposed fee in US dollars to undertake the assignment. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately.

The complete application shall be submitted on or before 15 August 2023, 24:00 Paris time.

Note:

• Due to the large number of applications that we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at [email protected]

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 a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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