Junior Professional Officer (JPO) as Coordination Officer (gn) in Climate Change Adaptation

Junior Professional Officer Programme (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2025-1-09

TERMS OF REFERENCE

General Information

Title: JPO Coordination Officer, Climate Change Adaptation 

Sector of Assignment:  Natural Sciences Sector 

Organizational Unit: Hydrological Systems, Climate Change and Adaptation, Division of Water Sciences

Country and Duty Station: Headquarter Paris, France

Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree).

Supervision

Direct supervision by: Chief of Section

Under the direct supervision of the chief of Section and the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Division of Water Sciences and Secretary of the International Hydrological Programme, the JPO should assume responsibilities for the implementation of UNESCO’s activities related to Climate Change Adaptation. He/she will take all necessary initiatives in order to carry out his/her assignments within the policy set by the Director and the guidelines given by the supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of Water Sciences Division and supervision of the Chief of Section, the JPO shall be responsible for the following:

1. Provide thematic and coordination support for the activities related to UNESCO’s work on climate change and support UNESCO’s Task Team on Climate Change to increase intersectoral collaboration and optimize engagement with partners and climate related funds. 
2. Act as coordination officer on behalf of the Science Sector to the Climate Change Task Team.
3. Provide technical support in the development of climate change adaptation activities, undertaken by UNESCO Science Programme: Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) in coordination with the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP), International Geoscience Programme (IGCP), Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
4. Support implementation of UNESCO climate change adaptation tools such as the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA), Flood and Drought Early Warning Systems (FDEWS), Snow and Glacier Monitoring in close partnership with relevant UNESCO Category 2 centers and chairs, and UNESCO field offices. 
5. Support organization of events and side events during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), UN Climate Change Conference (COPs) and events during UNESCO General Conferences.
6. Support development of publications, policy materials highlighting UNESCO activities on Climate Change.
7. Support development of activities and material on Climate Change in the context of UN Decade and Year, such as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, the Decade of Action on Cryospheric Science (2025-2034), and the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD).
8. Provide thematic and technical support to organize scientific events, exhibition and outreach activities prepare technical publications and policy documents and processes and prepare meeting report and provide editorial support. 
9. Contribute to the implementation and monitoring Climate Change activities financed by both regular budget and extra-budgetary projects in close partnership with relevant Category 2 Centres and Chairs, and UNESCO field offices. Provide regular monitoring and prepare reports of the implemented under the thematic responsibilities.

Required Qualifications 

Education: Master's degree in the field of environment, water resources, climate change adaptation or related earth sciences. 

Work experience: 

A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of hydro climatic and environmental modelling and climate change adaptation.

1. Scientific and technical knowledge of Climate Change adaptation, water-related risk management and early warning systems and climate resilient management.
2. Relevant scientific publications related to Climate Change adaptation, water-related risk management and early warning systems and climate resilient management.

Competencies and skills: 

1. Excellent drafting skills: ability to produce reports and papers on scientific, technical, and strategic issues.
2. Abilityto carry out quality research and produce knowledge products related to Climate Change adaptation and water-related risk management. 
3. Ability to provide technical and thematic contribution to scientific meetings, training courses and workshops on hydro climatic modelling, environmental modelling, flood and drought monitoring and early warning systems and Climate Change adaptation.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment and foster team cooperation.
5. Ability to work under pressure in a complex and changing environment. 

Languages: 

Excellent knowledge written and spoken of English; knowledge of other UNESCO official languages is an asset.

Learning Elements

The JPO will be able to use her/his skills and experience the various aspects of management cycle of an international project and programme implementation. Further to the lessons learned on project implementation, the JPO will be able to experience the policy environment that an International Organization faces and will participate on meetings related to global agendas.