OVERVIEW
Position Number: DSI 001
Grade: D-1
Parent Sector: Office of the Director-General (ODG)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Programme Coordination
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable
Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates
Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 07/06/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The mission of the Division of Strategic Planning and Intersectorality (DSI) is to lead corporate strategic planning and programming efforts, including by promoting cutting-edge and innovative approaches through strategic foresight and laboratory of ideas functions and to contribute to the strategic positioning of the Organization’s programmatic work in a UN inter-agency context. The Division’s aim is to enhance UNESCO’s internal capacity for impact monitoring and reporting, refine programming tools and standards, and promote more coherent, intersectoral and results-based programme delivery. Key priorities include improving collaboration across sectors, advancing country and regional strategies, streamlining the project cycle, and supporting field offices through targeted capacity development. These efforts aim to make UNESCO more agile, strategic and responsive to diverse contexts.
The Director of the Division is responsible for the leadership and management of the Division and for coordination of strategic planning and programme monitoring, in liaison with Assistant Directors-General, and Directors and Heads of Field Offices and Category I Institutes, in line with the Organization’s Medium-Term Strategies, the prevailing Programme and Budget and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the general authority of UNESCO’s Director-General, the incumbent is responsible for the overall management of the Division of Strategic Planning and Intersectorality, including all its resources, and shall:
- Ensure coordination of strategic planning, programme monitoring, and intersectoral delivery in the elaboration, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Organization’s overall strategy and programme, results framework, including the eight-year Strategic Objectives, the quadrennial outcomes and outputs and the development of the related impact and performance indicators, ensuring compliance with the guidance provided by the Governing Bodies, and coordinating the development of strategic approaches for a variety of programme issues, including the focus on and achievement of Global Priorities;
- Ensure coordination of the Organization's corporate strategic planning processes throughout the budget cycle, including coordinating the preparation of its Medium-term Strategy, the four-year Programme and Budget and the biennial Budget, in close consultation with the Programmes and the Division of Budget Management;
- Lead and promote the application of a results-based management approach and principles in the work of the organization, and that such an approach underpins all planning and programming processes, so as to effectively capture and report on the Organization’s results;
- Strengthen project/programme implementation and monitoring by establishing quality control mechanisms and modern planning, programming and monitoring tools to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and timely delivery;
- Promote and provide oversight for programmatic coherence, alignment with corporate strategic priorities and foster intersectoral work across all UNESCO’s sectors, including by coordinating the elaboration, monitoring and reporting of Intersectoral programmes;
- Contribute to the preparation of reports for submission to the Governing Bodies on the implementation of the Approved Programme and Budget; and ensure quality reporting to the Governing Bodies;
- Provide strategic advice for joint UN programming processes, such as the elaboration of UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and the elaboration of joint UN programmes at all levels;
- Contribute to relevant UN system inter-agency activities at global, regional and national levels, including representing UNESCO in the High-Level Committee on Programmes, and contributing to the work of the UN Sustainable Development Group;
- Participate in and contribute to the Senior Management Team to advise the Director-General and UNESCO’s senior management in the areas of the Division’s expertise; and
- Provide leadership and sound management to the Division, including sound financial and team management in line with UNESCO standards of efficiency, accountability and integrity.
For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022 – 2029) and 43 C/5 (Draft UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2026-2029 quadrennium).
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)
- Professionalism (C)
- Building partnerships (M)
- Driving and managing change (M)
- Strategic thinking (M)
- Making quality decisions (M)
- Managing performance (M)
- Leading and empowering others (M)
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Public or Business Administration, International Affairs or related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic planning, programme development and management, coordination, evaluation, including substantial assignments of a regional and/or international nature.
- Several years of exposure to international cooperation.
- Demonstrated experience in reform initiatives and change management leadership.
- Experience in complex negotiations and in representing organizations at the international level and in interaction with governing bodies.
- Demonstrated experience in guiding and motivating teams that deliver high quality results in a multicultural environment and in observance of diversity, as well as proven ability to train, motivate and manage personnel and in performing supervisory and monitoring duties and supporting staff development.
Long Description
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
- Strong managerial and leadership skills, high sense of objectivity, strong analytical capabilities, professional integrity, and diplomacy.
- Ability to exercise intellectual authority and leadership, as well as strong strategic and analytical drafting skills.
- Good understanding of results-based management principles and proven ability to develop and coordinate large complex programmes at scale.
- Sound knowledge of general management practices, including governance and accountability, use of information and communications technology, and techniques of quality assurance and risk management.
- Good knowledge of UNESCO’s programmes, demonstrated experience with the United Nations system, and familiarity with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development as well as United Nations reform developments.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to manage relationships at all levels of the Organization.
- Excellent communication skills with strong representational abilities.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages of the Organization (English or French).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
LANGUAGES
- Working knowledge of the second language (English or French).
- Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian 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 US$ 184,832
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide 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 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 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 UNESCO’s 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: https://www.whed.net
- 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.
