OVERVIEW
Position Number: SHS/PA 053
Grade: P-2
Parent Sector: Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Contract Type: Project Appointment
Duration of contract: 1 year
Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates
Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 31/03/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Initial appointment is for 12 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (ADG/SHS), the overall supervision of the Director of the Division for Social Policies (DIR/SOP), and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Management of Social Transformations Section (SHS/MOST), the Associate Project Officer will be responsible for the analytical, technical and project management aspects of the day-to-day implementation of projects and activities in the framework of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Programme for the Arabic Language (Phase II). The incumbent will operate within UNESCO’s regulatory framework, project management standards, and the Programme’s approved workplans.
The duties of the Associate Project Officer, based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, will include the following:
- Coordinate the operational planning and delivery of World Arabic Language Day (WALD) celebrations, including developing detailed implementation plans, following up with internal UNESCO services, official invitations, agendas, speaking arrangements, scripts, and logistical requirements, and ensuring systematic post-event follow-up, documentation and lessons learned.
- Develop and implement the Programme’s communication and visibility plan, including drafting and coordinating web stories, newsletters, brochures, social media content and key messaging related to programme activities and milestones, and maintaining updated communication calendars and content pipelines.
- Support outreach and dissemination of programme results and knowledge products through events, campaigns, online platforms, and institutional networks, contribute to targeted outreach strategies for youth, educators, cultural actors, creative industries, and digital communities, and support feedback collection and monitoring of visibility and engagement indicators.
Long Description
- Support overall programme coordination across workstreams, ensuring coherence of schedules, deliverables, and reporting inputs, consolidating inputs from different components for internal briefings, management updates, Steering Committee meetings, and donor communications, tracking implementation timelines, flagging operational risks or delays, and maintaining organized programme documentation and coordination tools.
- Provide operational and administrative support to programme implementation, including preparation of consultant TORs, contracts, travel arrangements, meeting logistics, and procurement requests in coordination with administrative units, and supporting monitoring of service providers and consultants delivering events, communication products, and outreach activities.
COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)
- Communication (C)
- Accountability (C)
- Innovation (C)
- Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
- Planning and organizing (C)
- Results focus (C)
- Teamwork (C)
- Building partnerships (M)
- Driving and managing change (M)
- Strategic thinking (M)
- Making quality decisions (M)
- Managing performance (M)
- Leading and empowering others (M)
Short Description
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the programmatic domains of UNESCO (Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information).
WORK EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in developing and implementing international projects, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.
Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Project development and management skills, including partnership engagement, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Coordination and organizational skills, including managing projects with multiple streams, partners, and deadlines.
- Capacity to build and maintain effective multicultural working relations with authorities and programme partners.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present documents and information for a range of audiences, including concept notes, proposals, briefing notes, reports, etc.
- Good IT skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken) and Arabic.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Previous experience within the United Nations System or other international organizations
Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Familiarity with UNESCO’s MOST programme and its initiatives to support transformations in communities and in policies.
LANGUAGES
- Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (French, Chinese, Spanish, Russian).
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 89 057 USD.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.
To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.
The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.
Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.
Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- 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 to 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.
- lndividuals 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.
- Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
- The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
- UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
- UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
