Liaison Officer (Social and Human Sciences)

Position description

The UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels and UNESCO Representation to the European Union (EU) contributes to represent UNESCO towards the European Institutions, advocate for UNESCO’s mandate and increase the visibility of UNESCO’s programmes and activities, with the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strengthening the UNESCO-EU partnership. The UNESCO Liaison Office reports to UNESCO Headquarters and its programmatic sectors. 

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences’ Sector (ADG/SHS), and guidance and direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels, the incumbent will be responsible for liaising with the European Union (EU) institutions to strengthen UNESCO’s partnership with the EU in the field of social and human sciences.

Long Description

In particular, the incumbent shall perform the following tasks:

• Contribute to a closer policy dialogue between UNESCO and the EU in the field of social and human sciences in (i) monitoring relevant policy developments and advancements of the EU, (ii) providing advice, as relevant, to EU institutions, Member States and other stakeholders on policy alignment with the SDGs, building inclusive societies, tackling inequalities, and promoting social inclusion, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, leveraging sports for social inclusion through Fit for Life and anti-doping, culture of peace and gender equality and other internationally agreed goals; and (iii) participating in relevant EU expert working groups.
• Work to enhance the advocacy and outreach on social and human sciences, including policy dialogues and discussions on the fight against racism, racial discrimination, and hate speech, the influential role of youth in driving global change, also focusing on the promoting the ethical governance of new and emerging technologies (including Artificial Intelligence (AI), the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, and neurotechnology), intersection of AI and its contribution to global peace and security, and contribute to the development of an open, free, and secure digital future accessible to all, promoting trust in science, as well as deploying social and human science-based decision-making through the Management of Social Transformation (MOST) programme.
• Analyse key EU decisions as relevant to the social and human sciences and other priorities of the Organization. S/he will strengthen relations with the EU institutions such as European Commission, European Parliament etc.., and identify venues for improved synergies and collaboration.
• Identify and monitor cooperation and partnership opportunities with the EU in the field of social and human sciences, facilitate ongoing partnership negotiations with the EU, by providing intelligence on EU strategies and programmatic priorities, facilitating active exchange between EU counterparts and UNESCO Headquarters and Field Offices, and contributing to the formulation of extrabudgetary programmes and projects of interest to the EU.  
• Facilitate the implementation of EU-funded projects in the field of social and human sciences, by ensuring liaison between relevant EU counterparts and the Social and Human Sciences implementing teams at UNESCO Headquarters and Field Offices.  
• Design, implement and coordinate Brussels-based outreach and advocacy events and other initiatives related to UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences activities that highlight shared priorities with the EU.
• Contribute to develop interdisciplinary approaches in UNESCO’s partnership with the EU by fostering teamwork with other liaison officers at the UNESCO Brussels Office and contribute to the overall EU-UN partnership by participating, on behalf of the Liaison Office, in relevant working groups and activities of the EU Brussels Team.
• Prepare inputs for the Programme and Budget documents (C/5) and related work plans and cooperate with other programme sectors and contribute to the report of the Director-General on the activities of the Organizations (C/3) and Medium-Term Strategy document (C/4).

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Professionalism (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of social and human sciences, political sciences, international relations, or a related discipline.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 4 (four) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of social and human sciences of which preferably 2 (two) years acquired at international level.
• Proven professional experience in international scientific cooperation in the area of social and human sciences, including the development of programmes and projects. 
• Working knowledge of the EU and its institutions.
• Experience in fundraising and other resource mobilisation mechanisms and building partnerships for international social and human sciences’ programmes.

Skills/Competencies 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to advocate for UNESCO’s social and human sciences priorities.
• Ability to quickly understand new concepts, approaches and practices in the field of social and human sciences.
• Ability to provide technical and thematic contributions to expert meetings and working groups, as well as to consultative processes related to EU policy-making in the field of social and human sciences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment, to foster and contribute to teamwork.
• Ability to work under pressure in a complex and changing environment. 

Languages   

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and good working knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in the field of social and human sciences, political science, international relations, or a related discipline.

Work Experience

• Experience in the organization and coordination of international workshops, meetings and events.
• Experience within government in the field of social and human sciences.
• Experience with specialised agencies of the UN system and/or professional Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and/or organizations for international technical cooperation.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks.
• Experience in promoting South-South cooperation in capacity building in social and human sciences applications at the national and regional levels.

Skills/Competencies 

• Experience in communication and raising visibility through different medias.
• Experience in working in the UN system.
• Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the UNESCO Social and Human Sciences’ Programmes.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 98 361 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

Application instructions

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