OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

A UNESCO Chair is a team led by a higher education or research institution that partners with UNESCO on a project to advance knowledge and practice in an area of common priority. There are currently some 1000 UNESCO Chairs.

A UNITWIN Network is a partnership between UNESCO and a network of higher education or research institutions of at least three institutions in different countries, at least two of which must be located in the Global South, and which pool their competencies and resources around particular theme(s). There are currently some 45 UNITWIN Networks.

The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme mobilizes expertise of higher education and research institutions to address the interdependent challenges of today’s increasingly complex world. It was established in 1992 with the vision to advance an integrated system of research, training and activities in diverse fields by building university networks and encouraging inter-university cooperation through the transfer of knowledge and expertise across borders. The UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks contribute to strengthening higher education systems and fostering collaborative research partnerships and networks. Through its integrated approach that combines research, teaching and training, as well as community engagement, the Programme has proven value in advancing UNESCO’s interdisciplinary knowledge generation and the Organization’s role as global observatory and as a laboratory of ideas.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General, Education (ADG/ED), the guidance of the Director of the Future of Learning and Innovation Division (ED/FLI), and the direct supervision of the Manager of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, the incumbent is responsible for providing general professional and technical support to the Programme and other related work within the Division. More specifically, the incumbent will:

• Contribute to the development of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme by supporting programme planning, delivery and reporting, as well as by providing logistical and administrative support.

• Contribute to knowledge management and production that is relevant to programme delivery (i.e. compile appropriate research data and preparing briefing notes; analyze progress reports to identify promising practices; monitor engagement of National Commissions and UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Network members; develop guidance notes).

• Contribute to the processing of UNESCO Chair and UNITWIN Network applications, renewal requests, preparation of agreements and letters of renewal, as required.

• Contribute to public information and sharing, as well as awareness raising and advocacy activities through organizing and participating in outreach tasks, as appropriate, and identifying relevant university-led activities to promote and disseminate.

• Develop and enhance partnership as relevant to the work assignment by analyzing and compiling background data for potential partnerships and fundraising events and opportunities.

• Assist in the Division’s involvement in events organized by its partners, as well as provide backstopping for collaborations with UNESCO Field Offices in the region, Headquarters and Category I Institutes in Education, and external partners.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, or in a related field of social sciences.

Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience, of which preferably 1 year acquired at international level in the areas of international development, higher-education and inter-university cooperation.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret rules and administrative guidelines and to solve routine and non-routine issues.
• Very good communication skills (verbally and in writing), with proven ability to draft clearly and concisely.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multicultural environment with external and internal partners.
• Ability to take initiative, establish priorities, coordinate and monitor own work plan. Discretion and maturity of judgement.
• Solid computer skills including advanced knowledge of office software, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English or French. Good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Two years of relevant experience in education settings in national governments and/or in the UN System/international organization.

Skills/Competencies

• Capacity to utilize websites, social media and other means to disseminate and promote content, thus enhancing visibility and cooperation with partners.
• Fund-raising and resource mobilization skills.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS