Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), strategic guidance from the Director for Research, Ethics and Inclusion and direct supervision of the Chief of Inclusion, Rights, and Intercultural Dialogue Section, the Programme Specialist is responsible for analyzing, implementing and monitoring projects and activities within the inclusion, rights and intercultural dialogue Section, leading work to promote dialogue for social cohesion, resilience, accountability, civic empowerment and conflict transformation; and contributing to work to enhance social and gender inclusion through the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalised communities and the fight against racism and discrimination.
The incumbent, working within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will guide the technical development of sectional, cross-sectional and divisional projects and activities, financed by core and voluntary funding; provide recommendations on project feasibility and possible collaborations; engage with substantive developments in relevant technical fields; and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to provide expert technical advice.
Advice and Knowledge Production:
Coordinate, undertake and quality assure research and analysis to understand trends, developments and solutions to enhance the governance of efforts for intercultural dialogue, anti-discrimination and social inclusion, contributing to the development of high-quality, policy-relevant knowledge products;
Provide technical advice to internal and external stakeholders on the structures, policies and individual-level enablers that can enhance both governmental and community-driven efforts for intercultural dialogue, anti-discrimination and social inclusion;
Engage with and keep abreast of developments related to interculturalism, social inclusion and anti-discrimination – and related fields including inclusive governance, social resilience and sustainability, community empowerment and voice, and social risk - in order to both design programmatic work and provide effective technical advice;
Ensure technical backstopping and support support to field projects related to intercultural dialogue, anti-discrimination and social inclusion.
Programme Implementation:
Implement, monitor, evaluate and report on projects and activities of the inclusion, rights and intercultural dialogue programme, advancing research, capacity-building, normative reinforcement and advocacy;
Provide programme and project support including, but not limited to, developing proposals, defining and revising project documentation, managing contracting, overseeing financial management, coordinating junior staff and overseeing monitoring, evaluation and learning;
Provide project implementation support to field operations, including through the provision of analytical support for project design, delivery of technical advice at key implementation junctures, involvement in training and capacity building, and assistance in the contextualisation of globally positioned resources;
Partnership Management:
Build, maintain, and enhance working relations with concerned UN agencies, development banks, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, national/local authorities, and practice networks;
Participate actively in relevant thought leadership initiatives, networks, and events – including interagency working groups – to position the work of UNESCO in the fields of inclusion, rights, and dialogue;
Develop, nourish, and leverage relationships with external knowledge partners – including universities, think tanks, and civil society organisations – to stay afore of relevant developments and mobilise cutting edge knowledge partnerships in the delivery of the Inclusion, Rights, and Intercultural Dialogue programme.
Resource mobilization:
Contribute to resource mobilization by actively developing and following up on proposals, cultivating relationships with potential donors, and engaging in efforts to enhance the technical credibility and reputation of the programme.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social or public policy, sociology, law, economics, or a related social sciences discipline.
Work Experience
Minimum four (4) years of relevant professional experience working on social inclusion and sustainability, anti-discrimination, intercultural relations, citizen engagement, or related topics.
Proven experience in leading high-quality research and analysis on related themes.
Proven experience managing knowledge-led programmes and projects on related themes.
Languages
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French.
