Associate Project Officer (Education)
OVERVIEW
Post Number : 254
Grade : P-2
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-Aug-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director General for Education and the Director of the Division for Peace and Sustainable Development, the overall guidance of the Chief of Section on Global Citizenship and Peace Education, and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist/Team Leader for Memory and Non-discrimination, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating education programs that deal with violent pasts, embedded in UNESCO’s wider programs on Global Citizenship Education and ensuring alignment with the 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.
Background Information
UNESCO is the agency of the United Nations system with a mandate to promote education about the Holocaust and genocide. Based on UNESCO General Conference Resolution 34C/61 and supported by United Nations Resolution 60/7 on Holocaust Remembrance (2005), and resolution 61/255 on Holocaust denial (2007), the Organization supports Member States in strengthening education about the Holocaust and genocide and promotes education that helps to address violent pasts and prevent future mass atrocities.
UNESCO’s work in the field of Holocaust and genocide education is part of the Organization’s work on Global Citizenship Education (GCED). GCED is a strategic area of UNESCO’s Education Sector programme and builds on the work of peace and human rights education. UNESCO understands GCED as an educational approach that nurtures a sense of belonging to a common humanity through promoting values, attitudes and skills that are based on and instill respect for human rights, gender equality, and social justice. Global Citizenship Education (GCED) is at the core of Target 4.7 of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Education.
Long Description
Duties and Responsibilities
The Programme Officer will contribute to the development and coordination of the Sector’s activities relating to education about violent pasts, with focus on Holocaust and genocide education, in partnership with relevant stakeholders in the field. This includes:
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- Support management of the 2025 cycle of the International Program on Holocaust and Genocide Education (IPHGE).
- Support the coordination of UNESCO’s new multisectoral work in Rwanda for building capacities of memorial sites for education.
- Support the organisation of events and conferences such as International Days, in consultation with UNESCO’s programme Sectors and partners.
- Support the development and publication of technical guidance on violent pasts education, including coordination of document production (copyediting, design and layout), translations and adaptations for regional and national contexts, as possible, in close cooperation with Field Offices and relevant UNESCO services. Support the launch of new publications.
- Strengthen the network of key partners in the field of work of Global Citizenship and Peace Education with a focus on education about violent pasts.
- Remain well versed about new research and global trends in Education and contribute to the development of concept notes and project documents related to the Section’s work.
- Analyze and compile background data to support resource mobilization efforts, including identifying funding opportunities, contributing to the preparation of funding proposals= and follow-up.
- Support communication (website, social media and other supports), outreach, advocacy, on all above-mentioned activities.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the field of History, Education, Social or Human Sciences, Political Science or related fields.
Work Experience
- At least 2 years of professional experience in the field of peacebuilding and international development, including at least one year of experience in an international environment.
- Proven experience in international policy development and/or education research, advisory and advocacy, capacity development and training, and track record of engagement with governments, funding agencies, non-governmental organizations or the United Nations.
- Proven experience in program management, fundraising, event organization and network building
Short Description
Skills and Competencies
- Important understanding of, and proven experience in navigating education issues and challenges relating to education about violent pasts, specifically education about the Holocaust and genocide, contemporary antisemitism, and civic and citizenship education.
- Proven excellent skills in managing complex international education projects, including coordination with project partners, project implementation, and reporting.
- Track record in fundraising and grant writing.
- Experience in organizing events for diverse audiences, such as memorial days, workshops, trainings, conferences.
- Excellent communication skills, including ability to draft clearly and concisely for specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Excellent written skills, ability to write concise and clear texts and ability to ensure the accuracy of documents and reports, through research, referencing sources and consultations, with particular attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with a variety of actors and work effectively and respectfully in a multicultural environment.
- A strong sense of ethics, professional integrity, diplomacy, tact and discretion.
- Proven ability to work effectively under pressure, manage high workloads and tight deadlines, and act flexibly to adjust work schedules and priorities; and
- Excellent IT and computer skills (MS Office)
Languages
- Excellent English or French language skills and good knowledge of the other language
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in developing and/or implementing education programs on the history of the Holocaust for diverse and/or international audiences.
- Experience in coordinating education programmes that address diverse experiences of violent pasts, such as genocide, colonialism and/or violent conflict.
- Experience in the development and implementation of education programs that address root causes of violence and conflict, in particular hate speech, racism, and antisemitism.
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 86 274 US $.
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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