Associate Project Officer (Social and Human Sciences)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: SHS/PA 052

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector: Social and Human Sciences

Duty Station: Paris,France

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year 

Recruitment open to: External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 30/03/2026

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

Initial appointment is for 12 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

OVERVIEW FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (ADG/SHS), the overall supervision of the Director of the Division for Social Policies (DIR/SOP), and the direct supervision of the Chief of the MOST Section (SHS/MOST), the Associate Project Officer  is responsible for the analytical, technical and project management aspects of the day-to-day implementation of projects and activities in the framework of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Programme for the Arabic Language (Phase II). The incumbent will operate within UNESCO’s regulatory framework, project management standards, and the Programme’s approved workplans.

Long Description

The duties of the Associate Project Officer, based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, will include the following:

• Support overall programme coordination across all workstreams, ensuring coherence and alignment of schedules and deliverables; consolidate contributions from different components for briefings and management updates and direct donor communications; and maintain structured programme documentation and coordination tools to support effective decision-making.
  
• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of activities under the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Programme for the Arabic Language (Phase II), including workstreams related to World Arabic Language Day (WALD), AI and digital content initiatives, the “Arab Latinos!” project, the Silk Roads / Arab-Asian linguistic heritage initiative, and any others that forms part or will form part of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Programme for the Arabic Language.
  
• Support planning, monitoring, and reporting, including contributing to annual and semi-annual workplans, tracking progress against indicators, ensuring timely delivery of outputs, and preparing high-quality narrative and financial reports for internal structures, the Programme Steering Committee, and the donor.

Long Description

• Facilitate research, expert engagement, and knowledge production, including coordinating studies on Arabic digital content and AI models, supporting expert groups and consultative meetings, and contributing to the preparation, peer review, and dissemination of publications and knowledge products.
• Organize and support events and meetings, including high-level UNESCO events (e.g., WALD), expert roundtables, regional consultations, project launches, trainings, and conferences in close collaboration with field offices, partners, and relevant UNESCO units.
• Liaise with partners and stakeholders, including UNESCO field offices, national institutions, academic and research partners, youth networks, civil society organizations, and UN agencies; maintain regular communication to facilitate coordination, follow-up, and delivery of joint activities. 

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)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the programmatic domains of UNESCO (education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, communication and information).
  
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in developing and implementing international projects, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Project development and management skills, including partnership engagement, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Coordination and organizational skills, including managing projects with multiple streams, partners, and deadlines.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective multicultural working relations with authorities and programme partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present documents and information for a range of audiences, including concept notes, proposals, briefing notes, reports, etc.
• Good IT skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken) and working knowledge of French.
  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience within the United Nations System or other international organizations.
  

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with UNESCO’s MOST programme and its initiatives to support transformations in communities and in policies. 
  

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian).

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 89 057 USD

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.