Senior Project Officer (Sciences)
Organizational Context
The Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System (KTAS) Project, a five-year GEF International Waters initiative, is executed by UNESCO in collaboration with Kenya and Tanzania. The project aims to strengthen water security, climate resilience, and ecosystem health by improving scientific understanding, protecting recharge areas, enhancing groundwater monitoring, and fostering transboundary cooperation for this vital shared resource.
Job Purpose
The Senior Project Officer will serve as the senior manager and strategic technical authority for the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the KTAS Project. This role involves leading the PMU and ensuring high-quality, timely project execution across Kenya and Tanzania. The incumbent will define strategic and technical direction, integrate all project components, supervise staff and consultants, ensure compliance, advise the Project Steering Committee (PSC), and cultivate essential high-level relationships for joint country ownership and long-term sustainability of the project's outcomes.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement a sequenced strategy, multi-year plan, annual work plans, and budgets based on the approved project document. Direct project implementation across all components, resolving interdependencies and bottlenecks to ensure coherent progress in scientific work, field investments, governance, capacity development, and communication. Exercise delegated management authority over PMU resources and schedules, establishing clear assignments and controls. Maintain a strategic risk register and lead adaptive management, recommending changes to UNESCO, FAO, and the PSC. Serve as the primary project interface with FAO, co-chairing ministries, national coordinators, and other strategic partners. Lead substantive and secretariat support for the PSC, shaping agendas and tracking decisions. Provide technical authority and quality assurance for all project components, including hydrogeology, modeling, monitoring, and data management. Supervise and coach PMU personnel and consultants, ensuring accountability and a collaborative environment. Coordinate partner performance against work packages, milestones, and budgets. Lead results-based management, oversee reporting, and ensure compliance with UN-to-UN agreements and GEF requirements. Maintain strategic partnerships and track co-financing to mobilize additional resources. Embed sustainability and institutional ownership of project mechanisms beyond closure.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, with at least three years at the international level. Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary water or natural resource programs involving multiple institutions and countries. Substantive experience in groundwater assessment or management, with the ability to direct and quality-assure technical work. Experience supervising personnel, managing budgets, and delivering results under formal accountability frameworks. Proven ability to facilitate government-led processes and build partnerships across public institutions, technical organizations, and development partners.
Skills
Strong strategic judgment and ability to translate complex issues into clear decisions and priorities. Excellent leadership, negotiation, facilitation, and diplomatic skills in multicultural and politically sensitive settings. Proficiency in results-based management, risk management, and quality assurance. Ability to manage competing priorities, make timely decisions, and maintain accountability. Digital proficiency with project management tools and familiarity with hydrogeological data, GIS, and information systems.