Deputy Director for Coordination of Programmes

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 5LBPAX0003RP

Grade : D-1

Parent Sector : Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX)

Duty Station: Beirut

Job Family: Field Operations Coordination

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 11-AUG-2025

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 Priority Africa and External Relations (ADG/PAX), the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut (Lebanon), and in close cooperation with the Programme Sectors, the incumbent will coordinate UNESCO's programmes at regional level, particularly for post-crisis monitoring in the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq.

The incumbent will be responsible for establishing a phased UNESCO presence in Syrian Arab Republic, contingent on conditions that ensure a supportive environment with sufficient staffing, logistics, and security to support the implementation of a gradual and multisectoral programme aiming at accompanying the transitional process in Syrian Arab Republic. The incumbent will coordinate UNESCO's operations in the region and provide intellectual, strategic, and operational leadership across the Organization's fields of competence (education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information), with a particular focus on the UNESCO emergency assistance programme.

Moreover, the incumbent also will actively engage with national authorities, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and other strategic partners to position UNESCO.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in a discipline related to UNESCO's mandate, Public or Business Administration or International Relations.

Work Experience

• At least fifteen (15) years of progressive professional experience at the appropriate management level within the United Nations system or within other international or national institutions, including experience in development issues related to UNESCO's areas of competence, in association with national and international organizations.
• Experience in project design, implementation and management, as well as in advocacy, resources and partnership mobilization.

Long Description

Skills & Competencies

• Commitment to the Organization's mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
• lnstitutional leadership capacity, high sense of objectivity and professional integrity, diplomacy, tact and political astuteness.
• Proven skills in administration and management of financial and human resources.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and management abilities, including capacity to administer extensive programmes and financial resources, as well as ta exercise appropriate supervision and control.
• Organizational skills, including in establishing plans and priorities, and in implementing them effectively, as well as in devising implementation plans.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners, and demonstrated partnership development and fundraising experience.
• Capacity to provide intellectual leadership to guide staff, as well as the ability to build trust, manage, lead and motivate a large and diverse staff in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, as well as exercise supervision and control and ensure continuous training and development of staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing, in front of a broad range of constituents, as well as the news media.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in English and good knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Courses/degree in a management-related field.

Work experience

• Experience in conducting policy dialogue at government and non-govemment levels or public and private sectors.
• Two (2) to five (5) years' experience in post conflict/crisis situations.

Skills & Competencies

• Broad general culture and sound analytic capacities; good geopolitical knowledge of the region.
• Proven leadership and demonstrated managerial skills combined with flexibility.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to take initiative and maintain effective working relationships with partners of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of the United Nations system.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (preferably Arabic).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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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.