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National Project Officer - Coordinator of Culture Programme

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 2BACLT0002PA

Grade: NO-C

Parent Sector: Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Sarajevo

Job Family: Culture

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 03/16/2026

 

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

Only nationals from Bosnia and Herzegovina may apply for this position

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. Its programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030.As a specialized agency and knowledge-based organization, UNESCO depends on highly skilled, committed professionals. Given the ambitious and exciting challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our expertise and global presence in the fields of Education, the Sciences, Culture, and Communication and Information, is more relevant than ever.  Geographically diverse and gender-balanced, UNESCO is committed to having a competent, motivated and dedicated workforce that acts with the highest integrity and is empowered to support UNESCO’s capacity to deliver on the sustainable development goals. UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (UNESCO Regional Bureau), the supervision of the Head of Sarajevo Antenna, and in close cooperation the UNESCO Regional Bureau’s Culture Unit, the post is established to support the coordination and management of the Culture programme of Antenna Office in Sarajevo including the projects “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs)”, “Support to the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Arts in Sarajevo” and “Harnessing Culture and Creativity for Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

The objective of the project is to foster reconciliation and good relations by promoting intercultural dialogue and enhancing the socio-economic impact of the cultural and creative sectors in the Western Balkans but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina where special focus is to be given, due to the two mentioned projects.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination

  • Ensure timely, efficient and effective coordination among the partner organisations in the execution of activities under the projects “Culture and Creativities for Western Balkans”,  “Support to the development of the Museum of Contemporary Arts Ars Aevi in Sarajevo” and “Harnessing Culture and Creativity for Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, the management of the projects and the implementation of the planned activities, in line with the approved projects work plans and budgets.
  • Draft, review and prepare for final submission required progress reports related to the project implementation, in close coordination with the members of the consortium.
  • Liaise with the project’s Finance Officer and Communication Officer.
  • Provide support to the project’s Advisory Committee’s including by preparing documents for its meetings and ensuring reporting.
  • Assist implementing partnerships in liaising with stakeholders and the targeted beneficiaries, as applicable.
  • Assist in liaising with the European Union counterparts, as required.

Project management

  • Provide support to the partners and take responsibility, as assigned, to implement project activities; draft calls for interest and TORs for contracts for review by supervisor and follow process closely to ensure compliance with relevant administrative rules for procurement and monitor contracts progress.
  • Ensure compliance with the project monitoring and reporting obligations; review documents and reports submitted by the partners for accuracy and support the finalization and submission of related documents.
  • Support the preparation and management of meetings and events related to the overall implementation of the project include ensuring the logistics and technical requirements for both physical and virtual meetings; supporting the facilitation and chairing of the meetings; preparing agendas and meeting reports; and monitoring follow-up actions.

Communication

  • Facilitate effective communication among partners and with the project stakeholders.
  • Cooperate with the project respective communication officers of the implementing partners to ensure the visibility of the project results and impact, in line with the project communication and dissemination plan and the EU Visibility Guidelines.
  • Prepare public information products such as news items, social media posts, infographics, audiovisual and other outreach materials
  • Prepare briefings, presentations, speeches and speaking points.
  • Speak at and/or actively participate in national and international conferences, workshops or other events related to the project, as required.

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)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Advanced University degree (Masters or above) in cultural studies; media studies; management; international relations; communication; or in related fields of social and human sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • A minimum of 7 years of practical experience in international cultural cooperation, including at least five years of experience on multi-partner project implementation and/or management.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Good knowledge of the field of culture and cultural cooperation scenarios in South-East Europe, the Western Balkans and in particular in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Demonstrated experience in project development and management in an international environment, with strong time-management, monitoring and reporting skills
  • Advanced IT skills in word processing, spreadsheets, visual presentation tools, vide conference platforms, etc.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing communication strategies, tools and contents in relevant contexts.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multicultural team.
  • Familiarity with UNESCO’s mandate, programmes, specifically in the field of culture.

LANGUAGES

  • Excellent knowledge of English, with demonstrated capacity to produce quality written outputs such as reports, news items, etc.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Professional experience in the United Nations System or other international organization(s), or with other national and/or international development cooperation agencies.
  • Experience on the implementation of complex multi-partner and multi-beneficiary projects.

LANGUAGES

  • Knowledge of other UNESCO official language(s) (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and/or Spanish).
  • Proficiency in one or more of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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 98 702 BAM

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.

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