Project Officer

OVERVIEW
**Post Number**: SC PA 054
**Grade**: P-3
**Parent Sector**: Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
**Duty Station**: Paris
**Job Family**: Natural Sciences
**Type of contract**: Project Appointment
**Duration of contract**: 2 years
**Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time)**: 22-SEP-2025
**UNESCO Core Values**: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General of the natural Sciences Sector, guidance from the Director of SC/PBS and the direct supervision of the Chief of SC/PBS/RIE, the Project Officer will implement and coordinate the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences and the Fellowship Programme for Young Women Scientists in Africa. These initiatives promote scientific excellence, international cooperation, and capacity-building in life sciences across the African continent. The Project Officer will be responsible for developing and managing project activities, ensuring smooth coordination with stakeholders, and maintaining high visibility and relevance of both initiatives. The incumbent may also contribute, as needed, to related UNESCO initiatives in STEM fields that promote excellence and capacity-building in scientific research.
**The incumbent will perform the following tasks**:
UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
Develop, implement, and oversee the strategic workplan and roadmap for each edition of the Prize, ensuring compliance with established objectives and deadlines.
Coordinate all aspects of the award ceremony, including communications, logístical arrangements, contract management, and effective collaboration with UNESCO Headquarters and external partners.
Planning and organizing the procurement of goods and services and closely monitoring its implementation
Design and execute comprehensive communication strategies to maximize the Prize’s visibility, manage and monitor the project budget, cultivate media relations, and prepare detailed reports for donors and senior stakeholders.
Assist Member States, including Permanent Delegations, National Commissions, and related Ministries, in organizing initiatives that fulfill the Prize's requirements
UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Fellowship Programme for Young Women Scientists in Africa
Design, implement, and monitor project activities to support African women researchers in life sciences, including the management of research grants, scholarships, mentorship programmes, and leadership training.
Planning and organizing the procurement of goods and services and closely monitoring its implementation
Strengthen regional and international collaborations by organizing conferences, workshops, and networking events that promote visibility and connectivity for women scientists.
Ensure project visibility, reporting, and impact evaluation, including preparing communication materials, tracking progress, documenting success stories, and producing detailed reports for internal and external stakeholders.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Planning and organizing (C) Communication (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the field of Basic Sciences or in a related science discipline, project management, administration, or a related discipline.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of 4 years of experience in project management, event coordination, or administration. of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level.
Relevant work experience in managing science, education, or gender-related programmes.
Proven experience in grant administration, stakeholder coordination, event management, and monitoring and evaluation.
Experience in desktop publishing.
Long Description
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
Excellent communication and report-writing skills in English or French and good knowledge of the other language.
Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan; ability to work under tight deadlines as well as flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
Demonstrated ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of partners and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
Competencies in organization and coordination, communication, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure.
Excellent project management skills, including results-based management and monitoring budget.
LANGUAGES
Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
WORK EXPERIENCE
Experience acqu