Finance & Administrative Officer (Education)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 1CHED 0007IB

Grade: P-3

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Geneva

Job Family: Administration

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 23/10/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the immediate supervision of the Director of the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE), the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the efficient, effective and compliant administration of IBE financial and human resources, in line with relevant administrative, human resources and financial rules, regulations and standard practices of the Organization. On matters of financial internal control in their capacity as certifying officer, he/she receives a delegated authority from to the Director Finance. 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Finance and Administrative Officer will be expected to ensure that there will be an effective interaction between the IBE and the various Central Services of the Sector for Administration and Management and the Division of Corporate Financial Services at Organization’s headquarters in Paris. He/she will be expected to perform the following essential tasks: 

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and supervise the staff of the Administrative Unit, and ensure the effective planning, coordination and prioritization of daily tasks and responsibilities in order to achieve the overall objectives of the various IBE teams and of the Bureau as a whole.
• Oversee the efficient execution and delivery of the full range of administrative and financial services in support of IBE activities and projects, including budget preparation, contract management, financial accounting, internal control, travel management and implementation monitoring.
• Efficiently coordinate the full range of administrative matters related to human resources, including staffing actions, recruitment, performance assessments, advice and training, in order to meet organizational requirements and support a productive, positive and healthy work environment.
• Implement and maintain effective security arrangements and policies in the interest of all staff and property, while liaising with UNESCO headquarters and other UN agencies concerned.
• Ensure the systematic upkeep and proper functioning of the Office premises, including compliance with the Host Country Agreement and maintain effective relationships with the authorities concerned. Take the appropriate action to account for, manage, and safeguard the fixed-assets under the custody of all personnel.
• Provide inputs to key documents including the IBE Governing Council, donor reports, etc, and actively participate in and make contributions to IBE strategy, donor proposal preparation and agreements with partners.
• Prepare and certify donor financial reports in line with the approved budget and standard format as agreed in the donor agreement.
• Ensure that all IBE accounts are maintained, and complete and accurate annual financial statements are prepared and submitted in liaison with the Director Finance.
• Provide administrative management support to the UNESCO Geneva Liaison Office (GLO).

Long Description

Long Description

Long Description

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)
• Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of Finance or Accounting, or University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the field of Finance or Accounting, with additional 2 years of relevant professional experience.
• Completed professionally recognized accounting qualification.
  
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible, relevant work experience in management, finance, accounting, administration or related areas, of which at least 2 years acquired at the international level.
•    Experience in financial management and internal control duties. 
•    Proven experience in the development and implementation of modern financial management practices, tools and procedures, including vis-à-vis programme and budget execution. 
•    Experience in the preparation of financial statements for audits.
•    Experience in personnel management functions, as well as the provision of general administrative services.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Problem-solving, creativity and analytical thinking skills, related to financial management and control.
• Ability to interpret complex organizational rules and processes.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking abilities.
• Demonstrated integrity and discretion in the execution of duties.
• Familiarity with internal and external audit proceedings, techniques and requirements.
• Good I.T. skills, including practical experience with the use of Microsoft or other software packages.
  
  

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and working knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience in managing, motivating and supervising staff and teams and maintaining effective working relations in a multicultural environment.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (preferably SAP), including Finance and HR modules.
  
  

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).

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 USD 131 042.

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.