OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Perugia

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 03-JUL-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Since 2014, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) has developed a comprehensive Water and Gender Component. With the goal of advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in water, WWAP´s main areas of activity related to water and gender include methodological approaches and evidence-based technical backstopping; wide-scale advocacy actions; capacity development, and on-the-ground project support. WWAP’s Water and Gender activities target government leaders and decision-makers, water practitioners, academia, and the general audience.

As part of these activities, UNESCO WWAP is implementing a gender integration and equality approach for the GEF – FAO project “Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia – Mekong River Delta Aquifer”. Other key activities include the development of methodologies for the collection of sex-disaggregated water data and gender analyses, complemented with a comprehensive capacity development programme. Dedicated events and global advocacy actions are also key activities regularly organized by UNESCO WWAP Water and Gender Team.

Long Description

UNESCO WWAP coordinates the production of the UN World Water Development Report (WWDR), which is the flagship publication of UN-Water. The 2026 edition of the Report will be dedicated to water and gender. The WWAP Water and Gender Team will have an important role in the content discussions and development of this edition.

UNESCO WWAP also participates in inter-agency discussion and collaborations for the SDG 6 gender contextualization.

Long Description

Tasks and activities

Within the framework of the UNESCO and the Italian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the UNESCO “World Water Assessment Programme – WWAP”, under the overall supervision of the WWAP Coordinator and direct supervision of the Senior Water and Gender Programme Specialist, the International Senior Gender Expert is requested to develop activities with outputs related to the WWAP Water and Gender component. The consultant will carry out tasks in the following categories:

1. WWAP publications

Support the editorial process of WWAP gender and water documents and publications including content-editing and proofreading of selected text. Support the WWAP Water and Gender Team in the content-related discussions and preparation of selected chapters of the WWDR 2026 dedicated to water and gender.

Long Description

2. Water and gender project implementation

Under the coordination of the Senior Water and Gender Programme Specialist, support the execution of activities related to WWAP water and gender component with focus on the GEF/FAO project CMDA Mekong River Basin between Cambodia and Vietnam. Activities may include assistance in the development of inception project documents and workplans; support in the execution of project activities, which may include: assistance in the recruitment of national consultants, support in the implementation of gender and livelihood analyses, development and implementation of WWAP training activities, and development of project reports for donor and colleagues. Support the organization of project-related outreach and delivering presentations when needed.

3. Water and gender advocacy and inter-agency collaboration

Support the organisation of water and gender events. Tasks may include revision of submitted abstracts as required, support in agenda development and participation as speaker/moderator as required. Assist in the participation in interagency activities, such as those related to related to the SDG 6 gender contextualization process as required.

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Academic Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field e.g. environment, natural sciences, or social sciences; MSc or above

Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements

• At least 10 years of professional experience, preferably in the fields of development in its intersection with natural resources, social sciences, gender.
• Field experience in implementing gender, education, capacity development and/or natural resources projects in contexts of diverse complexity.
• Proven experience interacting with diverse stakeholders, especially ministerial/governmental parties.
• Experience with community selection and community mobilization.
• Experience in design and execution of quali and/or quantitative social studies, including gender analyses.
• Experience in design and implementation of training programmes and skill development.
• ​​​​​​​Experience in Asia and Africa, a plus.

• Excellent command of English in written and oral communication with expertise in editorial processes.
• Very good IT skills.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team, create networks and deal with participatory processes.
• Ability to travel abroad.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, download and complete the following:

• Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information.
• A letter of intension indicating how your qualifications and experience are suitable for the assignment.
• A technical proposal for the assignment indicating conceptual and methodological approaches with key general activities (up to 700 words).
• A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD and expressed on a monthly basis.
• An updated CV

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 a competency-based 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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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.