Post Number : 4THSC 0001TA
Grade : P-4
Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station: Bangkok
Job Family: Natural Sciences
Type of contract : Temporary Appointment
Duration of contract : 11 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 29-JUL-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
BACKGROUND
UNESCO, through its Regional Office in Bangkok, is implementing a series of projects, programes and activities in the area of water sciences, with a focus on transboundary waters. These include, among others two strategically important regional projects aimed at enhancing groundwater governance and water cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Under the overall authority and direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and in close cooperation with the Heads of Offices and the Natural sciences officers in Phnom Penh and Hanoi, and in close technical cooperation with the UNESCO Division of Water Sciences, Section on Groundwater Sustainability and Water cooperation (HYD/GSW), the incumbent will provide high-level programme and project management as well as technical leadership in the coordination and implementation of regional water cooperation initiatives. The incumbent will lead and coordinate the strategic planning, execution of these high-impact programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with regional priorities, fostering synergies with national and regional development priorities and regional integration, and contributing to UNESCO’s global water programme objectives and broader strategic framework for water security and climate resilience agenda.
In particular the incumbent will be responsible for the following: Long Description
- Develop and oversee the formulation and consolidation of integrated, results-based workplans, in close coordination with UNESCO field offices, the IHP Secretariat, and the project governance mechanisms, including Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees. Ensure planning reflects results-based management (RBM) principles, gender equity, and sustainability objectives.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight in programme execution, ensuring alignment with project documents, UNESCO’s C/4 and C/5 frameworks, strategic objectives, and adherence to results-based budgeting principles, performance indicators and optimization of human and financial resources. Monitor progress and adapt implementation strategies in response to evolving regional and institutional needs.
- Drive cross-cutting integration and harmonization across project components (e.g. policy development, research, capacity development, training and technical assistance) to enhance synergies and operational coherence between project streams.
- Design and oversee regional capacity-strengthening interventions, including training curricula, workshops, and knowledge exchange platforms. Facilitate strategic learning, south-south cooperation, and dissemination of best practices across the Greater Mekong and Lower Mekong subregions.
- Provide senior-level oversight for a smooth operational and administrative management of the programme and projects, including staffing plans, recruitment processes, in close collaboration with UNESCO field offices and HYD/GSW, technical inputs for specification, terms of reference or statement of work, contract reviews, and compliance monitoring. Oversee the timely execution of programme/project activities in line with the objectives, internal control standards and donor requirements.
- Lead the development and implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, ensuring accountability, transparency, and compliance with both UNESCO's rules and regulations and donors’ requirement and financial and performance reporting frameworks. This includes ensuring transparent, data-driven reporting to internal oversight bodies and external donors, contributing to a culture of results and accountability. Long Description
- Establish and maintain high-level coordination with UNESCO field offices, national focal points, and regional technical experts with UNESCO regional hydrogeologist for Asia and the Pacific and with UNESCO headquarters (HYD/GSW), fostering inclusive and coherent stakeholder engagement across countries.
- Collaborate strategically with internal and external stakeholders, including technical leadership and key contributors to ensure the strategic coherence, scientific integrity, technical excellence, and contextual relevance of all programme and project activities and deliverables.
- Represent UNESCO in intergovernmental and technical forums, high-level policy dialogues, and regional coordination bodies, acting as the focal point for UNESCO’s regional water cooperation portfolio.
- Lead the design and development of regional strategies, policy frameworks, guidance documents, and implementation modalities, ensuring evidence-based approaches and participatory development. Oversee the production of analytical reports, regional studies, knowledge products, and toolkits to support policy uptake and capacity building.
- Perform additional strategic or technical duties as required by the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and in close cooperation with the Heads of Offices in Phnom Penh and Hanoi and with HYD/SGW, in support of the successful delivery and sustainability of project and programmes’ results.
- Lead resource mobilization efforts for water sciences in the region covered by UNESCO Bangkok office, in cooperation with UNESCO national offices and antennas, and with the technical support of the IHP Secretariat. 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) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Managing performance (M) Strategic thinking (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework .
Education
- Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in hydrogeology, environmental sciences, hydrology, water resources management, water cooperation, governance, or other related disciplines.
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience, of which preferably 3 years acquired at international level, in groundwater, water cooperation, water management and water governance, acquired in an academic, governmental, multilateral, or civil society organization.
- Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior officials in the United Nations, government, funding agencies, or non-governmental organizations.
- Experience in programming and project management such as programme design and results monitoring, budget implementation, and oversight in areas related to waters resources management, transboundary cooperation and governance.
- Experience in fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms, as well experience in managing staff and teams.
- Demonstrated commitment to the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction, and priorities.
- Demonstrated comprehensive planning, interpretation, and critical quantitative and qualitative analysis skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex, multi-country projects with minimal supervision to achieve organizational outputs and outcomes.
- Ability to efficiently manage and disseminate information and knowledge, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the organization.
- Capacity to lead integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy.
- Ability to engage with a diverse group of partners to forge productive working relationships.
- Advanced and persuasive written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-level reports and represent the organization externally.
- Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities, and risks.
- Ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations with internal and external partners.
- Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in hydrogeology, environmental sciences, hydrology, water resources management, transboundary cooperation, governance, or other related disciplines.
- Professional experience within an international environment or in the UN system.
- Experience in groundwater management related initiatives; with experience in policy, governance and transboundary cooperation.
- Demonstrated expertise in regional programme coordination, with a strong track record in managing donor relations and engaging diverse stakeholders across sectors and countries.
- Previous experience in managing GEF and Adaptation Fund related projects.
- Working knowledge of other languages (such as Khmer, Vietnamese, Lao, or Thai) is an asset.
- Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish). BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 116, 169 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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