UNESCO Project Appointments: National Project Officer in Harare, Zimbabwe (Starting Salary of USD 61,009.00)
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on local communities and addressing climate change? UNESCO is currently seeking a dedicated National Project Officer to lead the project “Strengthening local communities’ adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change through sustainable groundwater exploitation in Zimbabwe.”
This exciting opportunity, with a starting salary of USD 61,009.00, will contribute to increasing adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in rural areas of Zimbabwe.
Project Overview
The project aims to enhance local communities’ adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change by promoting sustainable groundwater utilization for food security and other productive purposes.
As the National Project Officer, you will work under the authority of the UNESCO Regional Director for Southern Africa, with supervision from the Regional Head of Natural Science Unit and the Project Officer. Key project activities include:
- Strengthening technical, institutional, and human capacity for sustainable groundwater utilization at national and local levels.
- Conducting comprehensive assessments of groundwater resources in poverty-stricken and vulnerable sub-catchments.
- Developing integrated catchment management plans to promote groundwater use while safeguarding resources.
- Implementing pilot projects to demonstrate climate change adaptation measures through sustainable groundwater utilization.
- Compiling and sharing lessons learned to facilitate future upscaling and replication of good practices.
Project Implementation
As the National Project Officer, your responsibilities will include:
- Coordinating and monitoring project implementation to ensure the achievement of targets and results.
- Collaborating with the project team, steering committee, and implementing partners for smooth project execution.
- Developing detailed implementation plans, procurement strategies, communication plans, and risk management plans.
- Providing secretariat support for the project steering committee.
- Maintaining collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including national and local authorities, academia, and UN agencies.
Qualifications and Skills
To be eligible for this role, you should possess the following qualifications and skills:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Water Resources Management, Natural Sciences, or Earth Sciences.
- Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in project implementation in the natural sciences field.
- Strong understanding of the project management cycle.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a multicultural team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office programs (Word, Excel, etc.).
- Additional qualifications such as a Ph.D. in natural sciences or training in project management and environmental risk assessment would be advantageous.
- Familiarity with international organizations and the United Nations system is desirable.
Benefits and Entitlements
As a UNESCO employee, you will receive a competitive salary package that includes a basic salary and various benefits, such as 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan.