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Associate Project Officer (Private Higher Education)

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level : SC8

Hiring Unit : International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)

Duty Station : Montevideo

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC−3 Time) : 20/09/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC) isa UNESCO category 1 institute dedicated to higher education. Its mission is to promote the right to highereducation through policy dialogue, capacity development and research for the formulation and implementation ofquality, equitable and inclusive higher education at the national, regional and institutional levels, with a focus onLatin America and Caribbean.
Through its work programme and budget, approved by UNESCO’s General Conference (43 C/5) and the Institute’sGoverning Board, UNESCO IESALC’s work aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particularSDG 4, in its commitment to supporting the transformation of higher education.
UNESCO IESALC is undertaking research on the role of private higher education in Latin America and theCaribbean, which accounts for half of enrolments in the region. This work aims to characterize private highereducation’s contribution to the regional higher education system, with a focus on examining dimensions related toquality, equity, relevance, research, internationalization, institutional sustainability, social engagement and regionalintegration. The research is funded by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Private UniversityAssociations (REALCUP).
Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO IESALC, direct supervision of the Chief Researcher and inclose coordination with the research team, the incumbent will play a key role in the coordination andimplementation of UNESCO IESALC’s initiative on private higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

Coordinate the implementation of the research project, including data collection, research, documentmanagement and communication with the research team
Serve as UNESCO IESALC’s liaison with the research team and national associations, convening coordinationmeetings, monitoring the implementation schedule, reporting progress, and ensuring the timely delivery and quality of all project outputs.
Participate in the development and testing of the institutional typology, indicator matrix, survey instruments and qualitative research protocols.
Conduct literature reviews and documentary analysis, identifying relevant policy documents, legislation, research publications and statistical sources to support the work.
Compile, clean and organize quantitative and qualitative data received from participating institutions and secondary sources, ensuring completeness and consistency.
Participate in data validation and quality assurance, verifying accuracy, following up on missing information,and maintaining documentation of methodological decisions.
Contribute to drafting and editing research outputs, including country profiles, iterations of the report, presentations and dissemination materials.
Liaise with UNESCO Headquarters, field offices and category 1 institutes, as relevant

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EXPECTED RESULTS

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DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

The contract is offered for an initial period of 6 months, with the possibility for extension subject to satisfactoryperformance and the availability of funds.

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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
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in education, economics, social sciences or arelated field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 2 years of relevant work experience in (higher) education research and analysis, including in Latin America and the Caribbean
Demonstrated experience in programme/project management in multi-stakeholder settings
Skills and Competencies
Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative research.
Proven expertise in developing analytical tools, surveys and guidelines for national education systems and/orhigher education institutions
Familiarity with data visualization methods.
Strong drafting and analytical skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality policy-oriented publications.
Strong organizational, communication and project management skills.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.
Languages
Excellent drafting and communication skills in Spanish and English.

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SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

LANGUAGES

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

WORK EXPERIENCE

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SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

LANGUAGES

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

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SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

All interested candidates are required to submit the following documents by email to director.iesalc@unesco.org.
An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
A letter of interest (Cover Letter)
A sample of written work in Spanish or English (e.g. journal article, publication, research piece)

SELECTION PROCESS
A shortlist of candidates will be drawn up based on the criteria in the vacancy notice. Only applications with theabove-requested qualifications will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to interview.
Only candidates entitled to work in Uruguay are eligible to apply.

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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