Programme Assistant (Culture)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : CLT 372

Grade : G-4

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 16-AUG-2024

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

Only candidates who are entitled to work in France can apply to this position

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Executive Office of the Culture Sector provides strategic advice, quality control and management support to the Assistant Director-Generalfor Culture (ADG/CLT) and ensures the overall coordination of the development, implementation and monitoring of the approved programme and budget of the Culture Sector, as well as the communication with other sectors at UNESCO, with other agencies of the UN System and with external partners.

 

The post works under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Executive Office (Chief CLT/EO).

 

As a team member, the Programme Assistant contributes to the work of CLT/EO, particularly with regards to information gathering, dissemination and analysis functions, in the framework of the Medium-Term Strategy and Programme and Budget of the Organization (C/4 and C/5 documents). The focus is on knowledge and information management, monitoring and support to coordination functions. There is also a need to closely collaborate with the Executive Assistant to ADG/CLT.

 

In particular, the incumbent shall:

Long Description

• Assist in coordinating the Culture Sector’s knowledge management system and in ensuring the delivery of quality knowledge products by:
• Launching and coordinating the contributions of the Culture Sector Entities, notably for briefings, talking points, speeches, drafting correspondence; receiving and consolidating inputs and contributions; monitoring work progress, ensuring in particular timely circulation of information for visa and any follow up required.
• Monitoring timeliness and reviewing completeness of responses prepared by the Sector’s Entities and Units prepared in French and/or English; making or recommending changes to style, format, spelling or grammar, proof-reading and editing, and making informal translations of documents; managing the production of circular letters; establishing first drafts for meetings’ minutes; summarizing background materials, or preparing technical responses when requested, in line with internal practices.
• Facilitating information and interaction, responding to queries; reviewing the efficiency of communication flows and procedures and making recommendations for improvement.
• Researching information and fact-checking contributions when requested, and preparing draft materials meeting minutes and reports for the Supervisor.
• Providing guidance to colleagues in the Sector on procedures and practices; automated systems; computer applications, knowledge management standards.

Long Description

• Contribute to the implementation of the Executive Office coordination role by:

 

• Facilitating the information flow with the Culture Sector Entities, other Sectors and central services as well as other partners. Working in cooperation with the Culture Sector Entities and consolidate strategic and urgent files.

• Providing assistance for the coordination of the work of the Executive Office team, including with regards to the management of the agenda and appointments, travel and mission arrangements; replies to queries and correspondence, often of a sensitive, confidential or technical nature.

• Assisting in organizing meetings, events and workshops by providing the necessary administrative and logistical support. Providing administrative support for the events; collating/formatting information and data for presentation in final form; informing participants; organizing the distribution of documentation; drafting minutes, collecting information/documentation and prepare associated documentation.

• Assisting in coordinating programme and project implementation.

Long Description

• Support the archiving knowledge management function by:

 

• Participating in and assisting in developing means and tools for exchanging, storing, retrieving and making available quality data, documents and information to staff and other partners.

• Establishing and maintaining/operating files, databases and archiving systems for documents, correspondence, speeches, interviews, briefings, talking points, policy documents, etc. according to the rules as well as Sectoral procedures for processing and approving documents.
• Keeping information-sharing platforms active and operational.
• Providing guidance to staff across the Sector on the preparation of knowledge products and documents, and the creation and maintenance of files, archives and database.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Completed secondary, technical or vocational school.

 

Work Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience in programme assistance, and/or administrative support tasks or related tasks, preferably in an international environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good skills in drafting correspondence and documents in English and French, with strong attention to detail.
• Good organizational and coordination skills with the ability to take initiative, establish priorities and monitor own work plans.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, to deal with complex and sensitive situations and flexibility to adjust work schedules.
• Diplomacy and politeness in dealing with external and internal partners requesting information.
• Ability to work efficiently in a multi-cultural environment, with team spirit.
• Good IT skills, including MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint etc.).

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialized training/certification in administration, and/or secretariat or other related field.

 

Work Experience

• Relevant work experience in an international environment/organization/institution.

 

Languages

• Knowledge of another/other official UNESCO language(s) (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/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 39 422 Euro €.

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

 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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