PROGRAMME SPECIALIST (Education)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: ED 037

Grade:P-4

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Education

Contract Type:Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years renewable

Recruitment open to:Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 07/04/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Within the UNESCO Education Sector the Division for Education 2030 the Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality (ED/E30/IGE) supports Member States and other partners in the implementation of activities to achieve gender equality and inclusion in and through education and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5 on inclusive quality education and lifelong learning and gender equality.

The Sections work is guided by the UNESCO strategy for gender equality in and through education and its three pillars aiming to support: better data to inform action for gender equality in and through education; better legal policy and planning frameworks to advance rights; and better teaching and learning practices to empower.

The Section supports coordination across UNESCO to ensure coherence complementarities and synergies within UNESCOs Education Sector and across UNESCO programme sectors field offices and institutes as well as with external partners. It also leads and contributes to many initiatives aiming for collective action with civil society academia bilateral and multilateral agencies and the private sector to advance gender equality in and through education. The Section also supports capacity-development of the gender architecture of the Education Sector to ensure sufficient capacity for mainstreaming gender equality in UNESCOs assessment planning and proposal development processes as well as in monitoring evaluation and communication of work on gender equality in and through education.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED) the guidance from the Director of the Division for Education 2030 and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality the incumbent will serve as Programme Specialist and Team Lead for UNESCOs work supporting gender equality in and through education. The post provides senior technical leadership and coordination to reinforce UNESCOs role as a global reference in gender-transformative education and to support Member States and partners in accelerating progress towards gender equality across education systems.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will perform the following essential duties:

• Provide strategic guidance to the Education Sector to mainstream gender equality and promote gender-transformative programming in alignment with UNESCOs strategy for gender equality in and through education and the Organizations Global Priority Gender Equality.
• Manage the design implementation and reporting of a diverse portfolio of programmes and activities aimed at advancing gender equality in and through education ensuring quality coherence and results-based delivery.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products analytical work and normative guidance related to gender equality in and through education including documentation of good practices and lessons learned.
• Lead monitoring reporting and analysis of gender-related indicators and results including the preparation of consolidated reports for governing bodies donors and partners and the development of effective communication products and activities to enhance the visibility of UNESCOs work in this area.
• Provide specialized technical expertise and strengthen internal and external capacities to effectively mainstream gender equality in education and apply gender-transformative approaches.
• Contribute to and support resource mobilizations efforts through the development of project proposals and cooperation frameworks and engagement with funding partners.
• Pursue and maintain strategic partnerships to advance the Sections programmatic work related to gender equality in and through education and represent UNESCO in relevant internal and external networks reference groups and fora.
• Provide guidance to colleagues on particular thematic areas evaluating progress and performance.

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 the field of Education Social or Human Sciences History Political Science or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience on issues related to gender equality in and through education of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level.
• Demonstrated experience in designing managing monitoring and evaluating projects/programmes.
• Proven experience in fundraising and resource mobilization and in developing building and sustaining partnerships.
• Experience in communication and outreach activities.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Very good understanding of gender equality in UNESCOs domains in general as well as in the field of education in particular.
• Demonstrated ability to provide policy advice: initiating and coordinating the development of international policy documents guidance notes or technical materials in the field of education.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and to translate strategy into priorities and actions.
• Analytical skills and ability to collect synthesize and analyze information from various sources as well as to prepare present and discuss findings and recommendations clearly and concisely.
• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System.
• Very good drafting skills in English or French.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multicultural environments with external and internal partners.
• Ability to manage complex tasks work under pressure and to very tight deadlines.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and good working knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced training or a concentration in gender equality.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Solid working experience with government authorities at different levels.
• Country/field-level experience in programming to advance gender equality in and through education.

Long Description

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic Chinese Russian and/or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCOs 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 136696 USD.

For full information on benefits and entitlements please consult ourGuide 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 addition candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the positions 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 UNESCOs 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:
• 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.