Associate Communication Officer (Education)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Service contract - Non Staff

Level : Level 4C

Duration of contract : ​ Six-Months, renewable  subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.​

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 1 March 2025

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

Only candidates who are entitled to work in France may apply to this position

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

I.    BACKGROUND

The Section of Higher Education (HED) operates with the Policy and Lifelong Learning Systems Division to assist member states in shaping higher education policies, strategies and systems with a lifelong learning perspective. Leveraging UNESCO’s normative instruments, in particular the 2019 Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education (GLOCO), HED supports the quality and effectiveness of higher education systems and promotes mobility and the recognition of qualifications within and across-borders. The section is also working on a roadmap for transforming higher education to meet the new and future challenges of economies and societies drawing from the WHEC2022.

HED hosts the Campus Africa Flagship, which is dedicated to building a vibrant and future-focused higher education sector across the continent. It focuses on developing integrated, inclusive, and high-quality tertiary education systems that reimagine African institutions as engines of innovation, sustainability, and social development. 

The UNESCO-China Funds-in-Trust (CFIT) Project Phase III focuses on higher technical education in Africa and aims to enhance the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) to respond to the skill needs for national development.
 

Long Description

II.   DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General, Education (ADG/ED), the guidance of Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning (PLS), under the direct supervision of Chief, Section for Higher Education (HED) and close collaboration with the Division for Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) and the Education Communication and Knowledge Management team (ED/COM) the incumbent will be assigned the following areas of work:

1.    Support on development and delivery of strategic communications plans, activities, products and processes: 

•    Support in the development of a coherent external and internal communications strategy for the HED Section and identify key audiences, key messages and relevant media to use.
•    Support the Section’s external communications and visibility through UNESCO platforms (web and social media) both at HQ and in collaboration with regional and field offices.  
•    Assist in writing and editing text for websites, newsletters, social media, media, presentations, speeches and support the production of news updates and including the supporting visuals.
•    Assist in ensuring that HED website content is updated on a regular basis, including events. Support in managing archives including text and graphic content. 
•    Support the development of relevant partnerships for communications including with UN agencies or other stakeholders for joint communications.
•    Support in commissioning and managing content for multi-media materials such as videos and infographics, prepare briefings for external consultants such as video-makers and photographers. 

2.    Support external visibility and advocacy for key themes under Higher Education development

•    Support the strategic planning and delivery of activities for advocacy on key thematic areas of relevance on HED through reviewing the key events and global processes (e.g. Conferences and meeting).
•    Support the development of tools or publications for advocacy.
•    Support the implementation of communications and advocacy campaigns in collaboration with section colleagues.

3.    Support the oversight of development, production, dissemination, and storage of publications and communications documents  

•    Support in overseeing the management of Section publications, including leading on the development of the publication plan, liaison with Education Publications Committee, House-wide Publications Board, and concerned services. 
•    Support in managing the design, production, legal agreements, translation and publication of all publications and communications materials, with significant input from other colleagues in the Section.
•    Assist in providing input in the design and dissemination for all publications.
•    Assist in the production and communications support for communications materials.
 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION
•    Advanced university degree (equivalent to Masters) in communication, media, journalism, international relations or related field.  

WORK EXPERIENCE
•    At least 2 years of relevant professional experience, with at least some experience acquired at the international level. 
 

LANGUAGES

Fluency (oral and written) in English essential. Ability to communicate in French and/or Spanish would be an asset.
 

REQUIRED SKILLS
•    Excellent English writing skills, ability to draft for different types of audiences and different platforms (e.g. press releases, social media, technical content) 
•    Excellent strategic, analytical and communications skills (storytelling, content creation, etc.);
•    Excellent coordination and networking skills, experience in advocacy or influencing;
•    Good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain good working relations with colleagues and staff at all levels within as well as outside the organization;
•    Very good organizational skills, tact and discretion;
•    Ability to adapt to a range of projects and to work in a team
•    Track record of drafting articles, blogs, or other communication materials.
•    Knowledge of mass mailing, image editing and other publications software;
 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

•    Good knowledge on education development issues.
•    Demonstrated skills in communications and partnerships with government, civil society, UN and/or other stakeholders;
•    Task- and results-oriented with ability to prioritise and organize work;

REMUNERATION

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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