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Senior Programme assistant (ED) -SC 6/1-BAG-26-ED-0002 BAG

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level :  SC6

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Baghdad

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 22/10/2026

 

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the UNESCO Office for Iraq and the Chief of Education, and the direct supervision of the Project Officer ITALEEM, the Programme Assistant will contribute to the effective delivery of the ITALEEM project and the Education Unit portfolio by supporting coordinated programme operations, timely implementation and systematic follow-up across projects and activities financed through extra-budgetary resources, the Regular Programme and Supplementary Budget.

Within this context, the programme assistant will serve as an operational enabling function, linking programme requirements with administrative, financial, procurement, contractual, and logistical processes. The position will facilitate coordination among the ITALEEM project and Education Unit related administrative and operational functions, implementing partners, service providers and other relevant stakeholders.

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

The programme assistant will perform the following functions, within delegated authority and in accordance with UNESCO rules, procedures and established systems:

1. Programme operational coordination: Support integrated planning and operational follow-up for assigned projects and activities, translating approved work plans into coordinated administrative, financial, procurement, contracting, travel and logistical actions.

2. Budget and financial management support: Support budget monitoring and expenditure information in UNESCO’s corporate systems; monitoring contracts; following up payments and obligations; and supporting reconciliation and review in close coordination with programme and administrative colleagues.

3.Compliance, documentation and quality assurance: Ensure compliance by preparing and reviewing administrative and contractual documentation, verifying completeness and consistency of supporting records, maintaining structured project files, and supporting the review of financial submissions and related documentation required for agreements, payments and closure.

4. Partnerships, procurement and service delivery follow-up: In close collobaoration with the programme team, coordinate routine operational interfaces with implementing partners, consultants, contractors, suppliers and government counterparts, as appropriate. Support procurement and contracting processes, monitor delivery against agreed requirements and timelines, verify invoices and supporting documentation against contractual provisions, and facilitate timely follow-up with responsible units.

5. Coordination of missions, meetings and programme events: Coordinate the administrative and logistical arrangements for missions, workshops, consultations, meetings and other programme activities, ensuring alignment with approved plans, timely engagement of participants and service providers, availability of required documentation, and systematic capture and filing of key records and follow-up actions.

6. Knowledge management, communication and team support: Provide timely management and coordination support through concise correspondence, meeting records, status updates, reports, and responses to routine enquiries. Help maintain effective knowledge management and filing of project documentation in share folders to ensure information flows across the ITALEEM project and Education Unit, escalating issues.

7. Additional Tasks: Perform other duties as needed to ensure successful implementation of the project and functioning of the unit. 

Organizational Environment and Partnership

ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND PARTNERSHIP:

a)    The programme assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Officer ITALEEM , in close coordination with designated project focal points and the Office’s administration, finance, procurement and operations functions. Within established policies, procedures and delegated authority, the incumbent is expected to organize and prioritize assigned work, anticipate operational requirements, follow through on agreed actions and proactively alert supervisors to risks, delays, compliance issues or resource constraints that may affect delivery.
b)    Internal counterparts: Education Unit colleagues, other programme sectors, Office management, and finance, administration, procurement and operations colleagues.

EXPECTED RESULTS

•    Assigned projects and activities are supported through timely, coordinated and compliant operational processes aligned with approved work plans and budgets.
•    Project management has reliable and up-to-date project commitments, deadlines, operational issues and required follow-up.
•    Project financial, contractual and partner documentation is complete, well organized, traceable and maintained to support accountability, payment processing, reporting and project closure.
•    Implementing partner submissions, contractor and consultant deliverables, invoices and payment documentation are followed up and processed efficiently in coordination with responsible programme and operational units and according to UNESCO’s policy and regulations.
•    Meetings, missions, workshops and programme events are organized effectively and supported by appropriate documentation and action tracking.
•    Updated relevant project administration records are maintained as applicable, in close coordination with finance, operations and procurement colleagues.

DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

12 months, including a three-month probationary period. Extension is subject to satisfactory performance, continued project validity and availability of funds.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

  • Communication (C)
  • Accountability (C)
  • Innovation (C)
  • Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
  • Planning and organizing (C)
  • Results focus (C)
  • Teamwork (C)

     

    For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

A university degree in a relevant field, preferably in business administration, project management, finance and accounting, procurement, social sciences, development studies, technical and applied fields, or other related disciplines. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum five (5) years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in programme/project support, administration or a related assistant function; experience within a UN agency is highly relevant.
  • Experience supporting financial and activity monitoring of implementing partners, including review of supporting documentation, performance information and documentation linked to payment processing.
  • Experience using corporate financial or programme management systems and standard office applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Strong planning, organization and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and monitor work against deadlines.
  • Sound understanding of results-based management and budget/resource management principles.
  • Strong attention to accuracy, compliance, documentation quality and follow-through.
  •  Ability to exercise initiative within established procedures, identify operational risks and bottlenecks, and communicate issues promptly.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to build effective working relationships in a multicultural environment and with external partners.
  • Integrity, reliability, accountability and commitment to United Nations values and principles.

LANGUAGES

•    Fluent in Arabic – oral, written, comprehension
•    Fluent in English – oral, written, comprehension

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

•    Specialized training or certification in administration, finance, accounting, procurement or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Previous relevant experience with United Nations organizations.
•    Experience supporting multi-partner or donor-funded project implementation and management.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT 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 personnel 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.
  • 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.
  • The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
  • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.

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