UNESCO-AF-GEF PROJECTS NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR KYRGYZ REPUBLIC (SB-4 SC8 Min) (Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan) contract

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Kyrgyzstan

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 4

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 13-APR-2025

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

(Only candidates entitled to work in Kyrgyzstan may apply for this post
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted)

The National Coordinator provides support to the Project Management Units (PMU) in the UNESCO Almaty Office and liaises with project partners. Main tasks are the financial and contractual oversight, as well as communications with regards to two UNESCO projects – one funded by the Adaptation (AF) called “Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in the Central Asia region from glacier lake outburst floods in a changing climate” (GLOFCA) and one funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), called “Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries by Enabling Regional Cooperation to Assess Glacio-nival Systems to Develop Integrated Methods for Sustainable Development and Adaptation to Climate Change”.

The National Coordinator will be responsible for helping projects achieve quality programming and development outcomes.

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Almaty Office, in close coordination with the GEF Project Manager and GLOFCA Project Officer, the Incumbent shall act as a National Coordinator in implementing the AF and GEF Project activities in Kyrgyzstan by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Projects Management Support:
  1.1. Comprehensive management support for the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Projects in compliance with overall objectives, specific objectives, expected outputs, outcomes and activities at country (Kyrgyzstan) level.
  1.2. Independently trouble-shoot common problems and report more complex issues to the Project Managers in the Almaty Office and follow up until resolved.
  1.3. Coordinate the administrative activities of the project including mobilizing staff and international consultants, maintaining project files, requesting purchases for goods and services, ensuring submission of project deliverables, and close-down.
  1.4. Perform administrative tasks for the projects including contracting arrangements, vendor creation and update, procurement management according to UNESCO rules.
  1.5. Ensure strategic planning of country-level activities in accordance with the Projects work plans and in close coordination with the Project Officers and projects management teams.
  1.6. Support the Project Management Team at UNESCO Almaty in organizing and follow-up of the Projects-related meetings, events, and missions to Kyrgyzstan.
  1.7. Provide inputs to the narrative annual reports, Project Performance Reports, SISTER reports, other briefings, information notes, talking points, etc. as requested by the Project Managers, pertaining to the project activities in Kyrgyzstan.
  1.8. Upon request, contribute to the activities of the environmental Results Group of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Kyrgyzstan.
  1.9. Serve as a Project liaison to national counterparts, country-level civil society organizations and other country-level stakeholders.
  1.10. Awareness raising with regard to the projects’ objectives and activities. Provide information to country-level stakeholders as well as the general public.
  1.11. Coordinate country representation in all project-related activities, events, meetings by liaising with national partners and ensuring their participation.
  1.12. Provide inputs and necessary information for the Project Knowledge Management Platform as requested by the Projects Managers and the Projects Communication Expert.
  1.13. Contribute to the communication efforts of the Project management team to ensure the Projects’ visibility at country level.

Undertake any other related tasks or assignments requested. The contract holder undertakes to carry out the tasks with care and diligence and due attention to detail.

EDUCATION
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international development, international studies, public administration, management, regional development, environment, sustainable management of natural resources, climate related studies, disaster risk reduction and/or other fields related to the position. An advanced university degree may be replaced by the non-relevant advanced university degree or any first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and at least two (2) years of additional relevant work experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementation of projects and programmes in natural sciences related field
• Demonstrated solid knowledge (academic or professional) in the sustainable management of natural resources, environment, climate change adaptation, with an emphasis on disaster risk reduction in Central Asia as an asset
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and in the public participation development process

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
• Knowledge of UN procedures, rules and regulations
• Knowledge of UN or related procedures, rules and regulations.
• Strong administrative skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexibility to adjust to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches.
• Proactiveness and ability to take initiative, with strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with sufficient level of autonomy.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences
• Able to build and maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external partners from diverse backgrounds.

LANGUAGES
• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written).
• Working level knowledge of Kyrgyz language is an asset.

EDUCATION
• Specialized training/certification in secretarial, administrative or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE
• Working experience within UNESCO or UN agencies is desired but not obligatory.
• Previous experience with UN projects and/or GEF-funded projects is desired but not obligatory.

LANGUAGES
• Knowledge of Kyrgyz language.