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
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 US $ 168,569.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
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.