Under the authority and direct supervision of the Director of the office the UNESCO Caribbean Office who also serves as UNESCO Representative to 20 countries and territories, the Coordination Officer provides support to Director of the Office in UN coordination, management support, monitoring and reporting, and external communication by carrying out the following duties.
Management Support: Assist the Director in the Office's strategic planning and provide overall management and coordination support of UNESCO. To this end:
Keep abreast of critical strategic initiatives as delegated, requested and identify prioritize issues in need of immediate attention, including global and regional initiatives, involving the direct participation of the Director, as well as on matters related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Provide support to the Director by timely preparing substantive materials, including background or briefing papers, speeches, and talking points as requested. Participate in meetings as required, report on outcomes, and following up on action points. Prepare draft correspondence for the signature of the Director.
Provide event coordination for initiatives under the Director's leadership or participation, including by preparing concept notes, invitations, speaking guides, news articles, logistics, etc. Liaise with partners on such events including in the coordination.
Coordinate senior programme staff meetings chaired by the Director, in terms of organizing the agenda, planning and follow up to meetings, drafting of meeting notes, as well the monitoring of action points, decisions, recommendations and deadlines, with regular updates on important issues.
Introduce strategic programme planning and management tools towards office management, in particular coordinate the preparation of the Office Strategic Plan and relevant UNESCO Country Strategies (UCS).
Lead the development of programmatic office briefings for high-level missions and coordinate inputs with programme colleagues. Support the Director in knowledge management and file important documents on the internal knowledge management platform.
Support intersectoral actions on meaningful youth engagement and participation with special focus on disability and gender.
Maintain contact with National Commissions, organize meetings and update the country profiling for PAX.
Maintain the calendar of events.
Maintain the registry of partners.
UN Coordination:
Follow activities of UNCTs and UN inter agency working groups in cluster countries and ensure that Director remains updated. To this end :
Follow UNCT meetings with or as observer on behalf of the Director when requested.
Coordinate and keep an overview of UNESCO's participation in and contribution to various UN inter-agency thematic and programmatic working groups in cluster countries.
Follow up on UNESCO's programmatic inputs to UN country strategic planning and monitoring, including to CCA, UNMSDCF, MAF, CIP processes in the 6 UNCTs in the Caribbean and with the DCO regional office as needed by coordinating programme staff inputs and following up with RC offices;
Provide assistance in the preparation of inputs for UNCT meetings, and ensure proper record of decisions taken and their timely follow up on the internal knowledge management platform.
Provide technical support to the to the Youth & Gender Focal Point for UN matters on youth and gender equality programming and accompany partnerships, monitoring and reporting.
Liaise and ensure coordination with RCO offices and other members of the UN Country Teams and implementing partners on office relevant matters, including in ad-hoc and annual reporting.
Be the focal point for UNINFO
Monitoring and Reporting: To this end :
Lead the development of the annual office achievements report, including coordinating inputs, language editing and finalizing for publication.
Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of relevant information within the office and with colleagues at national, regional and HQ level, as well as with UNESCO national commissions, permanent delegations, and sister UN agencies.
Establish and maintain a monitoring table of the office activities.
Lead the development of the annual office achievements report, including coordinating inputs, language editing and finalizing for publication
Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of relevant information within the office and with colleagues at national, regional and HQ level, as well as with UNESCO national commissions, permanent delegations, and sister UN agencies
Establish and maintain a monitoring table of the office activities
Skills/competencies
Strong analytical skills and ability to think critically, strategically and innovatively
Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely in English
Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with external partners
Ability to maintain effective collegial relations in a multi-cultural setting and to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment
Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Word, Excel etc.)
Knowledge of communications principles in brand management and design
Highly organized with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and work within a cross-functional deadline-driven environment
Sound judgment and independent decision-making ability
Ability to proactively organize and manage own work
Good interpersonal skills, cultural and political sensitivity
Required Qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in communications, political sciences, international relations, development studies, sociology, or other related disciplines
Work Experience
3+ years of professional experience in coordination/ project management in a UN/International agency
Language
Excellent command of English
Desirable Qualifications
Work Experience
Knowledge of UNESCO’s mandate and programs
Knowledge of the development agenda of Small Island Developing States, preferably the Caribbean.
Language
Other UN languages such as French and Spanish are an asset.
