Consultant UN Regional Coordination Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean
JOB DETAILS
Type of contract : Consultant Contract
Level : Level 2 - Middle
Hiring Unit : Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX)
Duty Station : Santiago
Work location : On site
Duration of contract : 6 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline (Midnight UTC−4 Time) : 30/09/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW
UNESCO is fully committed to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group(UNSDG) reform launched on 1st January 2019, which intends to improve the UN’s presence in the field in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the regional level, UNESCO is contributing to the ongoing review of the UN architecture and to the drive to strengthen collaboration between UN regional entities in the field, while adapting to the changes under way from both a structural and programmatic point of view.
In support to this enhanced need for coordination and participation, UNESCO is recruiting a UN Regional Coordination Officer to provide support to the UNESCO Regional Bureau in Santiago and contribute to ensure the full participation of UNESCO in the UN development system joint cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean region, now denominated Regional Cooperation Platform (RCP).
In this regard, under the direct supervision of the Director, and in close coordination and collaboration with the senior staff responsible for UN regional and national coordination in Chile, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
Long Description
-Lease with the Regional Collaboration Platform Secretariat.
-Map all areas of possible engagement of UNESCO within the regional RCP initiatives and processes and follow-up its implementation involving the participation of the relevant UNESCO offices in LAC;
-Ensure and prepare the participation of the Regional Office in the coordination systems, processes and meetings of the RCP. This entails reviewing the documentation, preparing the inputs in collaboration with all relevant UNESCO offices, following-up on the agreements, reporting to the Regional Director and other Office Directors and to HQ (Sector for PAX);
-Provide support to the Regional Director to strategically position UNESCO as a key partner within the RCP and promote integrated approaches with the wider UN system in UNESCO’s fields of competence, including through the elaboration of support material and analysis to be shared with the RCP;
-Support the Regional Director in the review, development and implementation of RCP initiatives, ensuring relevant UNESCO offices’ engagement.
-Support Regional Director through collection, analysis and dissemination of information related to the reform, and on UNSDG global collaboration in the region.
Long Description
-Support the senior staff serving as focal points in UN Peer Support Group, Issue-based Coalition and other regional groupings to which UNESCO may contribute;
-Provide assistance to the field offices in the region in ensuring UNESCO’s substantial integration in UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) and appropriate alignment of UNESCO’s country strategies with UNSDCFs;
-Support communication related to UNESCO’s participation in RCP and UNCT in Chile.
-Support cooperation with the UN Country Team in Chile
-Contribute to the Regional Office inputs to strategic and programming documents, statutory reports and reports to UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General, Sector for PAX and UNESCO Governing Bodies with regards to UNESCO’s involvement in the RCP and on UNSDG global collaboration in the region.
-Support the office’s work with other regional and interregional governmental organizations as appropriate.
-Undertake any other tasks as deemed appropriate by the Director and/or the direct supervisor.
CONTRACT DURATION
Contract Duration: 6 months, between 2026 and early 2027, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.
COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)
- Communication (C)
- Accountability (C)
- Innovation (C)
- Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
- Planning and organizing (C)
- Results focus (C)
- Teamwork (C)
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in any area of UNESCO’s competencies, international relations, political science, public or business administration, economics or another related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in coordination, planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of activities, projects and/or programmes, of which 2 years acquired at international level, including in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
Long Description
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge of oral and written English and Spanish.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in implementation of reform processes within the UN system and/or another multilateral/inter-governmental organizations
- Experience in field office management and/or field operations.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT 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 personnel 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.
- 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.
- UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.