National Project Coordinator

job Description

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Natural disasters are a common occurrence in Southern Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In March 2019, Zimbabwe and Mozambique were hit by severe flooding which also affected Malawi, resulting in loss of life and damage to infrastructure. These floods were caused by tropical cyclone Idai. Tropical cyclones affect southern Africa generally from November to March of the following year, and usually result in deaths and injuries to people, displacement of people and destruction of infrastructure. In addition to tropical cyclones, other extreme weather events that affect southern Africa include droughts, heatwaves and landslides.

To address some of the hydrometeorological challenges faced by Zimbabwe and Mozambique, a project titled ‘Building community resilience to climate-induced multi-hazards in the BuPuSa Transboundary River Basins” (Be Resilient BuPuSa) was designed. This is a follow up project to the one titled, “A community focused flood early warning system for the Buzi, Pungwe and Save (BuPusa) transboundary river basins” which was implemented from November 2021 to June 2025. The current project’s objective is to reduce the vulnerability of communities and institutions in the BuPuSa basins to extreme weather events and to increase their resilience to these multi hazards. In addition, the project will also determine future climate change scenarios for the basins and formulate adaptation strategies particularly in the water sector.

Long Description
To support the day-to-day implementation of the project, a National Project Coordinator will be hired. The incumbent will work under the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) and under the direct supervision of the Head of the Natural Sciences Unit. The Incumbent will be responsible for the overall coordination, technical implementation, and monitoring of the project “Building community resilience to climate-induced multi-hazards in the BuPuSa Transboundary River Basins” and will perform the following tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES
• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the project activities across the Buzi, Pungwe and Save transboundary river basins in Mozambique and Zimbabwe
• Develop annual and quarterly work plans, and support procurement and contracting processes, including drafting Terms of Reference (ToRs) and technical specifications.
• Providing technical and logistical support to the execution of the planned activities in the Buzi-Pungwe-Save River Basins of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes, ensuring alignment with the project results framework and donor requirements.
• Serve as the primary focal point for engagement with partners, government institutions, civil society organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), UN agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation.

Long Description
• Organize project related events such as stakeholder meetings, training workshops and (online) conferences and undertake project related missions to the field sites to support implementation and to track progress and advise on any required adjustments.
• Support in close collaboration with the communication officers the development and maintenance of project communication platforms, including a website, news articles and data repository, to enhance visibility and knowledge management.
• Support the work of the UNESCO Natural Sciences sector in ROSA and contribute as a team member to its activities. This includes identifying and proposing innovative approaches, building and promoting knowledge in the areas of Natural Sciences and Technologies, participating in resources mobilization in support of the Harare Office and ROSA.
• Participate in the Office work and perform any other duties and responsibilities as may be requested by UNESCO.

Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION
• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the fields of natural sciences, climate related studies, disaster risk reduction, hydrology or earth sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in managing/coordinating programmes in one or more of the following fields: water resources, environmental sciences, climate change and natural sciences.
• Working experience within UNESCO or UN agencies is desired but not obligatory.
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and in the public participation development process.
• Experience in the use of hydrological modelling techniques and disaster risk prevention and management tools.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing hydrometeorological Early Warning Systems.

Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Extensive knowledge, and high level of technical writing skills.
• Computer knowledge including skills in GIS and Remote sensing
• Knowledge of web development and programming language
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and deliver to deadline, as well as work under pressure;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy;
• Strong strategic and analytical skills;
• Excellent communication skills.

LANGUAGES
• Fluency in written and oral English.
• Proficiency in local language is an added advantage

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
• Training/courses in project management and/or monitoring and evaluation