Development Coordination Officer
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX)
Duty Station: New Delhi
Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]
Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]
Job Family: Administration
Type of contract : Service Contract
Level : Level 4
Duration of contract : Until end of 2025 and renewed every year upon satisfactory performance
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 09-03-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Assignment Context
The UNESCO South Asia Regional Office has the mandate to provide strategic and programme guidance at the regional level, for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, in accordance with the Medium-Term Strategy (C/4 document) and the Approved Programme and Budget (C.5 document), in close coordination with the relevant programme sectors and central services at Headquarters.
The South Asia Regional Office will guide UNESCO’s work with regard to the definition of priorities and their translation into regional programmes; coordinate programme design, planning and implementation in collaboration with other regional offices as well as with the relevant country offices; be responsible and accountable for the direct implementation of national and regional programmes in all the countries under its jurisdiction, with the exception of Nepal and Bangladesh where UNESCO country offices exist, and it shall provide technical support to these offices where necessary.
The South Asia Regional Office will also coordinate with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) and United Nations Country Team (UNCT) of each country under its jurisdiction, with the exception of Nepal and Bangladesh, to identify strategic entry points for UNESCO’s programming aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Guidance and ensure representation of UNESCO and its work in each country.
Overview of the Functions of the Post
The Development Coordination Officer will work under the direct supervision and will report to the Director of the UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office. The Development Coordination Officer will also work closely with the Sector Programme Specialists to provide support to the Director on sustainable development analysis, strategic planning, programming, communication and partnership across the Region and in particular with other agencies of the United Nations System.
The Development Coordination Officer will be responsible for:
• Coordinating with the National Offices in Dhaka and Kathmandu, and the UNRCOs and UNCTs in Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka to ensure efficient and effective support to the Director, and adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
• Coordinating internally with programme staff across all areas of UNESCO’s to ensure substantive support to the Director, with a focus on planning and reporting for UNSCDFs and UNRC offices in Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• Ensuring seamless coordination of/New Delhi’s active participation in joint programs and projects in alignment with UNESCO’s C/4 and C/5 as well as the UNSDCFs and their relevant Outcomes/Results Working Groups in Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
- Assisting in the development of strategies and plans to strategically position UNESCO in order to support regional and national objectives aligned with the UNSDCFs in the region.
- Coordinating with Programme Specialists to help support the Director’s engagement with government authorities, partner organizations, and stakeholders to foster partnerships and secure support for UNESCO initiatives.
- Supporting an enabling environment for the knowledge generation, sharing collaboration, as well as usage of exiting good practices and lessons learnt within the Office through knowledge sharing and management tools.
- Keeping track of national government policies, regulations, and goals relevant to UNESCO’s work in respective countries.
- Undertaking other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Director to support UNESCO’s mission in the region.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Completed Master’s degree or equivalent in Education, International Development, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field.
Skills and Experience
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in a field relevant to UNESCO’s mandate.
• Experience in providing substantive support to senior officials in an international organization is desirable.
• Experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/programme management, or resource mobilization in the context of development cooperation is desirable.
• Experience in working in a large multicultural team at country, regional and global levels is desirable.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
Programme administrative support experience with the United Nations System, multilateral organizations or international development institutions.
Skills and Experience
• Experience in providing substantive support to senior officials in an international organization is desirable.
• Experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/programme management, or resource mobilization in the context of development cooperation is desirable.
• Experience in working in a large multicultural team at country, regional and global levels is desirable.
• Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable.
• Experience with inter-agency or inter-organizational collaboration in the development sector is desirable.
Languages
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Excellent knowledge of an Indian official language is an asset.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which include 30 days annual leave, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is at net yearly of INR 1728887. UNESCO's salaries are paid in the currency established by the local UN System (currently in Indian Rupees at the applicable mid-month UNORE).
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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