Programme Specialist (Social and Human Sciences)
OVERVIEW
Post Number : SHS 303
Grade : P-4
Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Fixed Term
Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 11-AUG-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. The Organization comprises 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members and employs over 2,300 staff members from 170+nationalities at its Headquarters and 54 field offices worldwide.
This position is located in UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), which strives to accomplish a fundamental humanist mission by enhancing efforts against violence, racism and discrimination, combatting gender stereotypes, deploying the power of sports for social inclusion, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting youth, women and people with disabilities.
Long Description
SHS also focuses on fostering inclusive societies and ensuring the ethical development of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This global standard aims to leverage the positive impact of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Getting AI governance right is one of the most consequential challenges of our time, and countries around the world are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO supporting them through various capacity-building efforts.
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), guidance from the Director of Research, Ethics and Inclusion Division and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Bioethics and the Ethics of Science & Technology Section, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring the development and delivery of a wide spectrum of programme and project notably from the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted in November 2021 by Member States. This global standard aims to leverage the positive impacts of Artificial Intelligence while addressing its inherent risks.
In particular he/she will be responsible for the following:
Long Description
- Coordinate programme and project rollout and monitoring as reflected in work plans. Recommend programme and project approaches, plans, expansion, and changes and develop, propose, and advocate C/4 and C/5 thematic inclusions. Draft concept notes and project documents, including theory of change and action (input, output, and outcomes), budgets, resources, and results-frameworks (RRF) and results-based management dimensions, including monitoring and evaluation frameworks; and ensure that stakeholders, including beneficiaries and Field Office, are consulted adequately.
- Initiate policy development and creation, in accordance with priority areas. Advocate for and lead inter-sectoral and divisional collaboration as well as quality assurance exercises. Represent and provide specialized advice to internal and external colleagues, peers and stakeholders. Advocate UNESCO's position/involvement and establish relevant guidelines. Advise peers, colleagues, partners and governments on policy formulation, programmes and projects and developments and best practices and emerging trends in area(s) of assignment.
- Organize consultations and events and ensure regular contributions and updates to online and knowledge management systems. Plan, develop and Implement outreach strategies, aimed at expanding and communicating programmes, UNESCO projects and increasing visibility, resources, and partnerships. Provide specialized expertise, interpretation, assessment and communication to Field Offices, Ministries, peers, and other stakeholders. Identify and engage adequate network and knowledge partners.
- Actively contribute to and engage in the identification, development and management of strategic partnerships to ensure programmes and initiatives are adequately funded. Develop projects, programme and funding proposals, oversee agreements and contracts as well as define UNESCO's involvement and mobilize relevant resources. Explore innovative/alternative funding mechanisms, draft concept notes, coordinate and contribute to - and follow-up on - donor consultations and funding initiatives and related reports; contribute to terms and deliverables, ensuring alignment with overall programme/project objectives.
- Assess linkages of programme work and evaluate impact of activities. Evaluate and report on progress. Study current test practises and professional developments and translate into relevant programmatic and project actions and reports. Apply results-based management frameworks, including outcome mapping approaches.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Bioethics, Ethics of Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence or in the field of Social and Human Sciences, political science, international relations, Law and technologies or a related discipline.
Work Experience
- Minimum 7 years of progressive relevant professional experience in the area of Social and Human Sciences, of which preferably 3 at international level in the field of bioethics, ethics of science and technology or ethics of artificial intelligence, law and technologies
- Experience in designing, implementing, and coordinating strategies and activities related to capacity-building in the area of bioethics and ethics of science and technology or Ethics of artificial intelligence.
Skills and competencies
- Excellent analytical, organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability in programme management, including the monitoring and reporting of programme activities and related financial and substantive aspects. • Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including through networking. • Ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations with internal and external partners.
- Excellent knowledge of fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present findings and recommendations on issues clearly and concisely.
- Ability to manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and working knowledge of French.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in the field of Bioethics, Ethics of Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence or in the field of Social and Human Sciences and related fields. Work Experience
- Demonstrated experience in international cooperation programmes.
Skills and competencies
- Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System.
Languages
- Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish)
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 132 427 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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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
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