NATIONAL PROGRAMME OFFICER

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The focus of the Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) at UNESCO is to foster inclusive societies, and to ensure the ethical development of emerging technologies, including of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In November 2021, UNESCO’s Member States adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This global standard aims to leverage the positive impact of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Getting AI governance right is one of the most consequential challenges of our time, and countries around the world are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO supporting them through various capacity-building efforts.

In addition, SHS strives to accomplish its fundamental humanist mission that calls for enhancing the efforts against racism and discrimination, to deploy the power of sports for social inclusion, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting youth and women. SHS collaborates with Member States to advance UNESCO’s 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, focusing on the protection of scientists and enhancing the science-policy nexus via the Management of Social Transformation (MOST) program.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), direct supervision of the Director of UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office, and in close collaboration with and guidance from the SHS Programme Specialist in the Office, the incumbent will be responsible for providing professional and technical support, research and analysis, with an emphasis on the national perspective of their own country, to the Regional Office and Social and Human Sciences Sector work as well as to inter-sectoral programmatic activities and initiatives conducted from own duty station. S/he will work within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and according to global development plans such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, the incumbent will:

Long Description

Programme and Project Support:

• Support advancement of better governance of AI, through the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This involves supporting the national deployment of AI Readiness Assessments in the region, identifying strategic opportunities, expanding networks and contacts, and developing and executing work plans.
• Advance SHS priorities on championing the anti-racism and anti-discrimination agenda; promoting trust in science and protecting scientists and scientific freedom; leveraging sports for social inclusion via Fit for Life; promoting gender equality, intercultural dialogue, and youth-led initiatives; and facilitating social and human science-based policy-making through the MOST programme.
• Provide technical inputs to shape the design and implementation of programs and projects aimed at strengthening national capacities in alignment with the priorities outlined in the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Draft detailed work plans, task descriptions, budgets and output indicators for projects.
• Implement and monitor activities and projects within established work plans and document progress against predefined performance indicators.
• Carry out situational analysis, and compile data and inputs for concept notes, publications, briefings and documents.
• Provide substantive, logistical and administrative support to projects, consultations, meetings, events and missions.
• Monitor, track and report on regular and extra budgetary project implementation and outputs within the Delhi Office, including using relevant UNESCO tools.
• Provide inputs for the preparation of methodological and other guides for implementation and evaluation for use within Delhi Office and as a contribution to national capacity development.
• Support the Programme Specialist in multi-sectoral and cross-country programmatic activities and initiatives in the Region.

Long Description

Research and Knowledge Management:

• Conduct high quality research and analysis to translate global analyses, normative frameworks, and guidelines into actionable knowledge products and insights tailored for countries in the Region. These efforts aim to support countries in developing effective governance tools and enhance their capacities to craft inclusive policies, improving the well-being of people.
• Maintain awareness of development and advancements on SHS priorities with a special focus on countries in the Region to advice the Sector on policy formulation, project development, resources and best practices.
• Research, recommend and contribute to the development and expansion of a knowledge base on SHS priorities, ensuring regular contributions to web and printed content and dissemination to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Prepare data and inputs for documents, projects and proposals as well as conventional and on-line publications, visibility and public information materials, and social media and website content.
• Ensure knowledge management, websites and information systems are up to date and content is easily accessible to the UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office staff.
• Upload to automated systems (SharePoint) and other platforms the institutional memory of own office. Contribute inputs to the design of project progress and performance monitoring tools. Analyse best practices and current trends to contribute inputs to the knowledge base.

Long Description

Partnership:

• Analyse and compile background data for potential partnerships and fundraising events and opportunities.
• Support UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office and corporate communication by drafting and generating brochures, leaflets, social media content and other visual, online and written communication and information materials.
• Assist resource mobilisation efforts by preparing specific inputs for the development of concept notes, and project and funding proposals on the basis of available situational analysis and needs assessments and in accordance with the C/5.
• Assist in planning and implementing outreach and visibility activities aimed at programme promotion and expansion.
• Draft inputs for the UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office’s contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Common Country Assessment (CCA), Country Programme Document (CPD), Country Action Plan (CAP) and to other relevant national planning exercises of countries in its region.
• Liaise with colleagues within the Sector and in other Sectors, in own and other Regional and National Offices, and Headquarters to discuss developments and opportunities, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

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

WORK EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum 2 (two) years of relevant professional experience in the field of social and human sciences, political science, international relations at the national or sub-regional level.
• Experience working in the implementation of national and/or sub-regional projects in the area of social and human sciences.
• Experience in fundraising and financial resource mobilisation and establishing and maintaining relations with donors.
• Experience using web-based information management systems.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Proven organizational and coordination skills, ability to take initiative, establish priorities, monitor own work plans and report on actions and projects.
• Strong project management skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to deal efficiently with partners at different levels.
• Ability to participate effectively in negotiations.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.
• Capacity to adapt and adjust work schedules and perform diligently under pressure.
• Excellent knowledge management with an understanding of emerging communication and information technologies and their potential uses.

LANGUAGE

• Excellent knowledge of English.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/New-Delhi-National-Programme-Officer-(Social-and-Human-Sciences)/792297602/