Senior Programme Coordinator
OVERVIEW
Position: Senior Programme Coordinator
Grade: P-5
Parent Sector: Education Sector
Duty Station: Hamburg, Germany
Job Family: Programme Management
Type of Contract: Project Appointment
Duration of Contract: One (1) year, renewable
Recruitment Open To: Internal and External Candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 26-MAY-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is an integral part of UNESCO’s Education Sector, operating with statutory institutional autonomy under the guidance of its Governing Board. UIL promotes an integrated approach to policy development, research and training, capacity building, networking and partnership building in the field of lifelong learning, with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy and non-formal education. UIL also responds to the demands of individuals and communities throughout the world, ensuring that all forms of education and learning - formal, non formal and informal - are recognized, valued and available.
Under the overall authority and supervision of the Director of the Institute, the Senior Programme Coordinator will assist the Director in the management and coordination of specific areas of the Institute. The incumbent will oversee and contribute to the monitoring of the Institute’s Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2029. He/she will maintain an overview of specific UIL programmes and their outcomes, with a view to informing their ongoing enhancement and expansion, as applicable. He/she will contribute to the mobilization of funds and participate in fundraising negotiations, while promoting strategic partnerships with other organisations. He/she will oversee the preparation of documents for UNESCO C/4 and C/5 as well as for the Standing Committee and the Governing Board of UIL.
The working tasks of the Senior Programme Coordinator will include:
Informing and driving the delivery of the Institute’s services
- Provide intellectual leadership, guidance and feedback to the staff under his/her responsibility.
- Develop strategic proposals to the Director, aligned with the directives of the General Conference and the Governing Board, emphasizing lifelong learning policy development and implementation,
research, training, capacity building and networking in lifelong learning and adult education.
Coordinating Monitoring and Evaluation
- Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of programmes, based on results-based management ensuring alignment with the Institute's Key Performance Indicators.
- Develop, refine and promote tools to measure and document the results and impact of the Institute's activities in Member States.
Long Description
Directing innovative approaches
- Direct UIL's innovative programmes on the following key areas:
- Policy support and capacity-building opportunities for lifelong learning in Member States at the national and local level
- Flexible learning pathways (in particular, the recognition, validation and accreditation – RVA – of prior learning with a focus on migrants and refugees
- Reaffirming lifelong learning and gender equality as a human right
- Skills for greening, inclusive and peaceful communities
The direction of these programmes shall include monitoring progress and development; promoting the development and fulfilment of strategic partnerships; providing regular feedback;
representing the Institute during the organization and implementing key events and ensuring alignment with the performance management cycle.
- Coordinate composite UNESCO networks. This shall involve providing intellectual, strategic and operational leadership in planning and implementing activities; developing and coordinating the implementation of membership strategy;
addressing the priority needs in different UNESCO world regions and coordinating capacity-building opportunities.
Informing and supporting programme development
- Regular consultation with Programme Coordinators and Heads of Units - as well as participation in key programme meetings - is expected along with managing the budget and related tasks.
- Design, implement, monitor and evaluate work plans, regular and extra budgetary initiatives and activities, ensuring the continuous optimization of resources.
Mobilizing resources and optimizing their use
- Explore and secure opportunities for resource mobilization to support extra-budgetary resources in relevant programmatic and thematic areas, including engaging potential donors to attract funding.
- Establish, strengthen and foster influential partnerships to enhance the Institute's standing and influence in universities, research centres, think-tanks and civil society.
- Undertake further activities in the framework of the programme as requested by the Director.
Strengthening and building partnerships
- Represent the Director of UIL and the Institute and programmes at internal and external networks, including universities, agencies, organizations, governments and ministries.
- Actively network and advise to create synergies, strengthen and identify key partnerships and increased visibility for the programmes.
- Establish and pursue alliances on cross-organizational and cross-sectional issues and develop working frameworks and systemic approaches to increase capacity.
- Influence and guide the development of concept notes, policy briefs, and the formulation and implementation of key initiatives.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in education (preferably in a field related to lifelong learning, adult education or literacy) or social sciences.
Work Experience
- At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience, including in lifelong learning, with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy, and non-formal education, including preferably a minimum of five (5) years acquired at the international level.
- Demonstrated experience in delivering technical support to UNESCO Member States at various levels, particularly in developing and implementing lifelong learning policies and strategies.
- Experience in leading capacity building to establish adult education and lifelong learning systems in Member States.
- Proven managerial experience in leading, managing, coordinating, and implementing international educational programmes and networks in lifelong learning and adult education.
- Experience in project management, including design, implementation advocacy, resource mobilization, and strategic partnership development
- Experience in people management within multicultural environments.
Long Description
Skills & Competencies
- Commitment to the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic priorities.
- Demonstrated strategic planning and management expertise, including oversight of extensive programmes, financial resources proper supervision.
- Organizational skills, to set priorities, prepare and implement effective plans.
- Partnership and fundraising skills with the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders partners, and build strategic collaborations.
- Effective communication skills, both oral and written
Languages
- Excellent knowledge, both written and spoken, of English and good working knowledge of another UN official language.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent level) in Education
- Courses/ a degree in a management-related field.
Work Experience
- At least ten (10) years of practical experience in working with UNESCO Member States to design and implement lifelong learning policies and strategies and national/local exchanges for executing public policies.
- Experience in facilitating policy dialogue in government and non-government spheres or within public and private sectors.
- Proven experience in conducting research and analysis and/or implementing programmes/projects on adult learning and education and lifelong learning policy development processes and thematic areas of lifelong learning.
- Experience in promoting lifelong learning and adult learning and education at the local level.
Skills & Competencies
- Broad general culture and sound analytic capacities.
- Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
- Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to take initiative and maintain effective working relationships with partners of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
- Good knowledge of the United Nations system.
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 149,365 USD.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
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 an 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.
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