Programme Specialist (Social and Human Sciences)

Post Number : SHS 902

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 with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 12-DEC-2019

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

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (ADG/SHS), and direct supervision of the Chief of Research, Policy and Foresight Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the UNESCO Social and Human Science Programme for Routes of Dialogue and the Silk Roads Programme. S/he advises, manages and reports on regular and extra-budgetary programme design, guidelines, resources and progress, and advocates organizational involvement and participation in mainstream social and human sciences activities and initiatives.

The incumbent works within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5), the Strategy and Action Plan of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme and global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (https://en.unesco.org/about-us/introducing-unesco). The incumbent in particular will:  

• Within the MOST Programme, and in cooperation with the Intercultural Dialogue programme, undertake and supervise activities for raising awareness on the shared heritage and plural identities of Silk Roads with a view to contributing to a better understanding of current social transformations and fostering dialogue and cooperation on global issues;
• Supervise and monitor the conceptual development and the content management of the Silk Roads initiatives and publications such as the Silk Roads Online Platform and the Atlas of Cultural Interactions along the Silk Roads / be responsible for these initiatives’ content selection and priority as well as further development of their different components;
• Design and ensure the implementation of the Youth awareness-raising and empowering initiatives for protecting and promoting the shared heritage and plural identities of the Silk Roads ;  supervise and monitor the implementation of the project on reinforcing the capacity and contribution of young researchers to the Silk Roads as well as the MOST schools related to this initiative;

• Promote and strengthen partnerships and networking, as well as research and capacity-building, on SHS Sector thematic areas (as per the previous paragraph) / ensure coordination with the programme’s partners, working groups and networks including the Network of Focal Points of the Silk Roads Programme/ develop strategic partnerships and mobilize extra-budgetary resources to reinforce the Programme;
• Develop concepts and define strategies and modalities for the accomplishment of activities undertaken within the aforementioned programmes (workshops, seminars, conferences, cultural events, etc.) as well as new initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Silk Roads programme;
• Provide input, including data and statistics for the preparation of reports and briefings on the implementation of programmes and projects both for the statutory purposes of the MOST Programme and for the Social and Human Sciences Sector in general.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in history, anthropology or social sciences and humanities related areas.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in the area of social and human sciences at the national and international level.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing programmes and/or projects in at least one of the following domains: management of social transformations, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue.

Skills and competencies

• Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
• Proven ability to provide high-level advice and technical support in public policy, planning and research.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively (orally and in writing) with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside the organization.
• Excellent knowledge of fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms.
• Ability to manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.  

Education

•  PhD or equivalent in in history, anthropology or other related fields.

Work Experience

• Experience in United Nations system or other international organizations.
• Research and analysis in the fields relevant to the post as demonstrated through authored peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in fundraising and partnership development.
• Experience in organizing the multilateral meetings, competitions and other events.

Skills and competencies

• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish).