Associate Project Officer

OVERVIEW
**Post Number**: IOC/PA 038
**Grade**: P-2
**Parent Sector**: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
**Duty Station**: Paris
**Job Family**: Programme Coordination
**Type of contract**: Project Appointment
**Duration of contract**: 1 year
**Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time)**: 26-JUN-2025
**UNESCO Core Values**: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
For 20 years, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) has been leading the promotion of marine spatial planning (MSP). Within the context of the ‘Joint Roadmap to accelerate Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning processes worldwide’ (MSProadmap), updated in 2022, IOC has implemented the MSPglobal programme, which is composed by a core MSPglobal project co-funded by the European Commission.
The third phase of MSPglobal (MSPglobal 3.0) is a 2-year project and will start in mid-2025. At the global level, the expected result is a well-informed community of MSP practitioners and stakeholders supporting MSP processes worldwide. For that, new guidelines/tools and trainings will be co-developed. Besides, MSPglobal 3.0 will deliver an international MSP event and produce communications’ materials to increase awareness about MSP. At national and regional level, the project will deliver activities in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, as well as Asia and Pacific, providing support towards institutionally strengthened MSP processes and improved regional ocean governance.
The Associate Project Officer will work under the overall authority of the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the overall supervision of the Head of the Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, and the immediate supervision of MSPglobal Coordinator. The Associate Project Officer will technically support the MSPglobal Coordinator in the implementation of MSP activities, such as guide the co-development of new guidelines/tools and trainings as well as co-lead the organisation of events. Long Description
**The incumbent will perform the following functions**:
1. Support the MSPglobal Coordinator in the day-to-day implementation of the MSPglobal Programme based on Projects' Documents;
2. Support the organisation of meetings and ensure effective communication and exchange of information with donors, beneficiary countries and collaborators (internal and external to UNESCO);
3. Ensure that the projects' outputs are delivered as identified in the Projects' Documents by:
Supporting the MSPglobal Coordinator to plan, coordinate and monitor the projects' workplans with the MSPglobal Team and contracted services
Guiding, reviewing and providing technical inputs to the development of MSP guidelines/tools and training materials as well as communication and outreach products
Co-organising and delivering national, regional and global MSP events
4. Contribute to the systematic documentation, monitoring and reporting of projects' activities to the donors as well as other reports (as requested) on IOC work on MSP;
5. Engage with MSP practitioners and authorities from around the world;
6. Support the development of project proposals associated to MSPglobal;
7. Support other UNESCO-IOC activities related to the MSP, such as those in the context of the draft IOC-wide Strategy on Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management, and Ocean Decade Programme on Sustainable Ocean Planning. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (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 marine/coastal resources management, environmental sciences or equivalent.
Experience
A minimum of two years of experience in the development of technical reports and trainings related to marine policies such as marine spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management, and sustainable blue economy.
Experience in project implementation, including co-leading activities and support to information/knowledge management and project reporting.
Demonstrated experience with organisation and facilitation of online and face-to-face events (preferably at international level).
Skills / Competencies
Familiarity with UNESCO-IOC’s guides on MSP.
Demonstrated ability to conceptualize issues, compile and analyse data as well as synthesise information in coherent and succinct formats.
Ability in basic web design (minor use of HTML), web content, etc.
Excellent coordination and organisational skills, high attention to details and ability to multi-task.
Flexibility and ability to work under tight deadlines and with a certain degree of autonomy following the directions and guidance of the supervisor.
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