UNESCO

Assistant Director-General for Education – Re-advertisement

UNESCO

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: Paris • France

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Salary

💰 $248,223 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Provide strategic direction and leadership in formulating, implementing and monitoring the Education Sector’s strategy, programmes and policies, in line with UNESCO’s governing bodies decisions.
  • Lead UNESCO’s role as the global coordinator of SDG 4 (Quality Education), ensuring coherence, accountability and alignment of national, regional and global actions within the Education 2030 Framework for Action.
  • Strengthen support to Member States in developing and implementing inclusive, equitable and high-quality education policies, systems and practices at all levels – from early childhood to higher education and lifelong learning.
  • Advance the “Futures of Education” and “Transforming Education” agendas, fostering innovation, digital transformation and resilience in education systems to meet emerging societal and technological challenges.
  • Promote lifelong learning and skills development, aligning education and training with the evolving needs of labour markets, digital economies and sustainable societies.
  • Empower learners to become creative, responsible and ethical global citizens through education that promotes human rights, peace, gender equality, sustainability and intercultural understanding.
  • Oversee and guide the work of UNESCO’s education-related category 1 institutes, ensuring programmatic coherence and synergy across global, regional and thematic initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain high-level partnerships, with Member States, United Nations entities, development banks, private sector and philanthropic organizations to expand the Sector’s reach and impact.
  • Foster innovation and foresight in the natural sciences, ensuring UNESCO remains a global laboratory of ideas in response to emerging challenges.
  • Represent the Director-General and UNESCO in high-level international fora and intergovernmental meetings, strengthening UNESCO’s visibility, influence and thought leadership.
  • Ensure effective management and accountability, fostering a culture of performance, transparency and diversity across the Sector.

Requirements

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a discipline related to the field of education.
  • At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience from senior leadership/executive positions in areas directly related to UNESCO’s Education Programme, including assignments at the regional and/or international levels.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading large, diverse teams and managing organizational transformation, including change management and strategic planning.
  • Substantial experience representing an organization and engaging effectively with high-level government/international officials.
  • Extensive and relevant professional experience in scientific research and cooperation.
  • Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic directions and priorities.
  • Strong and innovative leadership, capable of articulating a compelling vision for the role of education.
  • Strong political acumen and diplomatic skills to represent UNESCO effectively and engage high-level stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead institutional transformation, manage change and foster a culture of accountability, diversity and performance.
  • Excellent communication skills with strong representational abilities.
  • Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages of the Organization (English or French).
Benefits
  • 30 days annual leave
  • family allowance
  • medical insurance
  • pension plan
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
advanced university degreestrategic planningchange managementscientific researchprogrammatic coherencedigital transformationeducation policy developmentlifelong learningskills developmentintercultural understanding
Soft Skills
leadershippolitical acumendiplomatic skillscommunication skillsrepresentational abilitiesorganizational transformationteam managementaccountabilitydiversityinnovation