Programme Specialist

OVERVIEW

Post Number : SHS 390

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 12-AUG-2024

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), strategic guidance from the Director for Research, Ethics and Inclusion and direct supervision of the Chief of Inclusion, Rights, and Intercultural Dialogue Section, the Programme Specialist is responsible for conducting research, mobilizing partners in the academic field and for analyzing, implementing and monitoring projects and activities within the Inclusion, Rights and Intercultural Dialogue Section, contributing to work on fostering human rights-based science ecosystems that are driven by universal principles and standards as enshrined in the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (2017 Recommendation) and within that framework to the implementation of the UNESCO Programme on promoting scientific freedom and the safety of scientists and the related Call to Action in connection with the right to science. 

The incumbent, working within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will guide the technical development of sectional, cross-sectional and divisional projects and activities, financed by core and voluntary funding; provide recommendations on project feasibility and possible collaborations; engage with substantive developments in relevant technical fields; and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to provide expert technical advice.

Long Description

Specifically, the incumbent shall undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

 

• Advice and Knowledge Production:

– Undertake, quality assure and assist with the coordination of research and analysis to understand trends, developments and solutions to advance human rights-based science ecosystems with emphasis on the freedom and safety of scientists and the right to science, contributing to the development of high-quality, policy-relevant knowledge products;

– Provide technical advice to internal and external stakeholders on policies, mechanisms and key capacities that can help address different challenges to freedom and safety of scientists and more broadly factors that undermine trust in science and science-driven decision-making as key components of human rights-based science ecosystems;

– Engage with and keep abreast of developments related to trust in science, misinformation and disinformation, science-driven decision-making, science-society nexus, freedom and safety of scientists, the right to science- in order to both design programmatic work and provide effective technical advice;

– Ensure technical backstopping and support support to field projects related to the 2017 Recommendation and the Programme on promoting scientific freedom and the safety of scientists. 

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• Programme Implementation:

– Implement, monitor, evaluate and report on projects and activities relating to the 2017 Recommendation and the Programme on promoting scientific freedom and the safety of scientists, advancing research, capacity-building, normative reinforcement and advocacy;

– Provide programme and project support including, but not limited to, developing proposals, defining and revising project documentation, managing contracting, overseeing financial management, coordinating junior staff and overseeing monitoring, evaluation and learning;

– Provide project implementation support to field operations, including through the provision of analytical support for project design, delivery of technical advice at key implementation junctures, involvement in training and capacity building, and assistance in the contextualisation of globally positioned resources;

• Partnership Management:

– Build, maintain, and enhance working relations with concerned UN agencies, development banks, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, national/local authorities, and practice networks;
– Participate actively in relevant thought leadership initiatives, networks, and events – including interagency working groups – to position the work of UNESCO in fields relating to the 2017 Recommendation and the Programme on promoting scientific freedom and the safety of scientists; 
– Develop, nourish, and leverage relationships with external knowledge partners – including universities, think tanks, and civil society organisations – to stay afore of relevant developments and mobilise cutting edge knowledge partnerships in implementing the 2017 Recommendation and the Programme on promoting scientific and the safety of scientists and.
 

• Resource mobilization:

– Contribute to resource mobilization by actively developing and following up on proposals, cultivating relationships with potential donors, and engaging in efforts to enhance the technical credibility and reputation of the programme. 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (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 or related field.
•    Expertise in the human rights in UNESCO’s fields of competence and particularly the human rights to science.

 

Work Experience

•    Minimum four (4) years of progressive professional experience relevant to research in social sciences, social policy and social transformation of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level.
•    Proven experience in leading high-quality research and analysis on related themes.
•    Proven experience in fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms and in managing knowledge-led programmes and projects on related themes.

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Skills and competencies 

•    Recognized scientific research, publication, writing and critical thinking competencies. 
•    Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
•    Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
•    Strong analytical skills with ability to design and undertake research on complex social issues from a systemic perspective.
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present findings and recommendations on issues clearly and concisely.
•    Good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy with ability to build and maintain effective partnerships at all levels.
•    Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment.
•    Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
•    Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software, and relevant research tools

 

Languages

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education  

•    PhD in Social Sciences with a history of publications in fields including inequality and exclusion, development of population, environmental change, and society, governance of regional and global commons, or digital transformations and societal disruption.  

 

Work Experience 

•    Experience with UNESCO’s intergovernmental processes and procedures. 
•    Experience with inter-agency mechanisms of the United Nations System or other multilateral organizations on issues related to inclusion, interculturalism, anti-discrimination, or social risk.

 

Languages

• Knowledge of other official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish).

 

Assessment

An assessment exercise may be used in the evaluation of candidates.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 103 683 US $.

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

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.  More details can be found on the ICSC Website.

 

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.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.