Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, and the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor for the Natural Science Programme, the Project Officer will be responsible for the effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities. The Project Officer will also support the Regional Advisor to plan, coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate UNESCO intergovernmental programmes on natural sciences and contribute to the Regional Bureau’s work within UN cooperation, including IBC on Environment and Climate Change in supporting RCs and UNCTs in Europe and Central Asia.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate and oversee implementation of the project Digital Futures for Smart Europe, ensuring alignment with UNESCO rules and donor requirements.
Conduct policy mapping, desk reviews, data collection, and analysis of national digital and green innovation frameworks.
Organize and support field visits, stakeholder consultations, and capacity-building workshops in the target countries.
Liaise with governments, universities, innovation hubs, UNESCO Chairs and Category II Centres, civil society, and private sector partners to ensure inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Develop knowledge products, including national profiles, a comparative feasibility study, training resources, and communication materials.
Monitor project performance using agreed indicators and prepare narrative and financial reports for submission to the donor.
Ensure visibility and communication of project activities through UNESCO’s platforms and partner networks.
Integrate gender equality and youth engagement across all project activities and outputs.
Support the Regional Advisor in planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating UNESCO intergovernmental programmes on natural sciences, as relevant to and in support of the objectives and activities of the project.
Contribute to the Regional Bureau’s engagement in UN cooperation mechanisms, including IBC on Environment and Climate Change, in support of RCs and UNCTs in Europe and Central Asia, where such collaboration advances the implementation and visibility of the project.
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy, science education, environment, green innovation, or a related field.
Work Experience:
A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience, of which preferably 2 years acquired at the international level, in the design, coordination, or management of STI-related projects.
Experience in policy analysis, stakeholder consultation, and capacity development.
Proven experience in working with governments, academia, and private sector partners.
Skills:
Strong knowledge of digital transformation and green innovation trends, particularly in Europe.
Demonstrated ability to manage multi-country projects and produce evidence-based reports.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and drafting skills.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team and build partnerships.
Commitment to UNESCO’s values, including gender equality, inclusion, and sustainability.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.
