Project Officer (South Africa, South Africa) contract

Post Number : 6ZACLT0033PA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Pretoria

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-APR-2025

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

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

The project “Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Promoting Culture and Heritage-based Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa” funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office in Southern Africa aims to foster culture and heritage-based sustainable tourism and strengthen cultural production capacities in six Southern African countries, namely Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It will promote regional integration, foster sustainable social and economic development, and build bridges between the people and communities of Southern African countries through the development of attractive and meaningful culture and heritage-based itineraries. These itineraries will attract visitors and encourage responsible travel while fostering longer stays in destinations, encouraging travelers to experience the local culture and history, and promoting a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the values associated to these destinations. 

UNESCO is seeking a Project Officer to oversee the implementation of the project in close collaboration with all key partners, particularly the EU Delegations in the 6 countries, national authorities and local communities.

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Regional Director and Representative for Southern Africa and the direct supervision of the Head of Culture Unit, the Project Officer will be responsible for the overall management of the project (Implementation, Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Communication).
 
Specific tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

1.    Project implementation
a.    Coordinate the project implementation in the six participating countries ensuring the project maintains quality and follows UNESCO Rules and Regulations, as well as donor requirements, by overseeing all operational, administrative and technical aspects including financial management and procurement.
b.    Ensure delivery of the expected results on time and in quality in accordance with the Project Document and the Results Framework.
c.    At the Inception Phase, in close coordination with various stakeholders, facilitate the undertaking of a situational analysis and provide specific recommendations on the different project activities.  In particular, the project coordinator will i) define the scope of work and the outputs across the project components; ii) identify all key stakeholders; iii) update the work plan, budget and logframe; and iv) provide clear timelines for project implementation.
d.    Ensure the timely delivery of work plans, budgets and procurement plans for the project based on the results of the inception phase and monitor the implementation of these to achieve the project objectives and expected results.
e.    Plan, manage, implement and monitor the overall project’s activities against the workplan and budget including the organization meetings, workshops, conferences and other events foreseen in the Project Document and workplans.
f.    Ensure smooth coordination and communication with the EU and other national and international partners.
g.    Ensure the management and supervision of other Project staff, consultants as well as partners and implementing organizations, contracted within the scope of this project.
 

2.    Planning and reporting 
a.    Attend planning meetings, missions and in country meetings as required, and provide timely reporting on the project’s progress to the Project Steering Committee.
b.    Prepare all required periodic and annual reports, both narrative and financial, on the project activities, as and when needed. 

3.    Monitoring and Evaluation 
a.    Supervise and guide project staff responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation ensuring the collection of all data required to track the project progress towards achieving the intended results and outcome indicators (as defined in the project Document and the Results Framework) and the M&E framework.
b.    Maintain a monitoring system that can provide current and real-time information on the progress.

4.    Communication
a.    Support and cooperate with communication officers to ensure the visibility of the project results and impact, in line with the EU and UNESCO communication and visibility guidelines.
b.    Contribute to the production of public information products such as news items, social media posts, infographics, audio-visual and other outreach materials.

Education
•    Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in culture, social sciences, humanities, international relations, development studies, project management, sustainable tourism or in a related field.

Work Experience
•    A minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in the field of culture, humanities, project management, international relations, development work, or related field.  
•    Experience in the area natural and cultural heritage.

Skills and Competencies 
•    Excellent project management skills and ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and to write documents in a clear and concise manner.

•    Ability to guide staff, and ability to build trust, manage staff and teams.
•    Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational and coordination skills.
•    Ability to manage heavy workload and to work under pressure, with capacity for accuracy, paying close attention to detail and quality of work.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to maintain effective working relations within a multicultural environment.
•    Proven ability to manage a team.
•    Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, to identify priority activities and assignments, to adjust priorities as required, to allocate the appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work, to foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning, to monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary.
•    Good IT skills.

Language
•    Excellent knowledge of English (oral and writing).

•    Previous experience in working on EU-funded projects is an added value.
•    Previous experience in working on Heritage-based Sustainable Tourism projects is an added value.
•    Work experience with the UN is an added advantage.
 

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 86 220 USD $.

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