Associate Project Officer (Social and Human Sciences)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : SHS/PA 044

Grade : P-2

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 14-NOV-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance
 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual cross-cultural understanding. The Organization comprises 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members and employs over 2,300 staff members from 170+ nationalities at its Headquarters and 54 field offices worldwide.
 

This position is located in UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), which strives to accomplish a fundamental humanist mission by enhancing efforts against violence, racism and discrimination, combatting gender stereotypes, deploying the power of sports for social inclusion, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting youth, women and people with disabilities.

SHS collaborates with Member States to protect and trust scientists through UNESCO's 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers and enhance the science-policy nexus.

SHS also focuses on fostering inclusive societies and ensuring the ethical development of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
 

Sport integrity is at the core of SHS's mandate, as it contributes to sustainable development through social inclusion, educational, socio-cultural and economic benefits, as well as ethical and human values. In this regard, SHS hosts the Secretariat serving the International Convention against Doping in Sport (2005) which is the international instrument engaging public authorities in the protection of sport values, ethics and integrity, with currently 192 States Parties. In accordance with the requirements of Article 31 of the Convention, States Parties report to the Conference of Parties (COP) on measures taken for the purpose of complying with what is stated in the Convention. 
 

This reporting process relies on a self-assessment questionnaire delivered through an online tool, Anti-Doping Logic (AD Logic), regularly updated to align with COP9 Resolution 9CP/13 and the evolving needs of States Parties. Additionally, traditional Pharmacopoeia in the context of sport values, ethics, and integrity has a significant role in the development of the Convention. This initiative is being broadened to a global scale to refine and expand the first version of the Guidelines developed by the Arab pilot Task Force and presented at COP9 (Resolution 9CP/21).
 

The incumbent will work under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences and the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, Chief of the Section for the Elimination of Doping in Sport (ATD).
 

In close collaboration with team members, s/he will serve as a Managing Officer, supporting the implementation of the Convention and the roll-out of the Regional Capacity-Building Programme. Additionally, the incumbent will act as a Liaison Officer for the National Compliance Platforms and National Focal Points, coordinating efforts with experts on the work concerning Traditional Pharmacopoeia.
 
The key responsibilities of the Associate Project Officer, based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, include the following:

Monitoring, Support and Coordination for ADLogic System: Help the IT specialist with the rollout of the upgraded ADLogic system for national reports due in January 2025. Closely monitor its implementation, offering tailored support to States Parties throughout the reporting process. Maintain ongoing communication with National Compliance Platforms and key contacts, and regularly update the Chief of the ATD Section. Draft a comprehensive report analysing data submitted by States Parties.

Training and Capacity-Building: Facilitate training and offer support by considering the unique needs and challenges of States Parties to enhance their compliance. Contribute to regional Capacity-Building Programmes by preparing materials, coordinating with various stakeholders, and managing logistics.
 

Follow-Up on COP-Approved Activities: Oversee follow-up activities related to the Traditional Pharmacopoeia initiative, assisting experts and stakeholders in their efforts to advance the COP9 decisions. Contribute to the development of documents for COP10, with a focus on monitoring and capacity-building.
 

Communication and Visibility: Support visibility efforts related to the Anti-Doping Convention, including updates on the UNESCO website and in infoletters. Draft correspondence, briefings, and reports to assist the team with Convention-related tasks.
 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of Social and Human Sciences, Law, International Relations or a related area such as Education or Sport for Development.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in developing and implementing international projects, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.
• Knowledge and demonstrable relevant experience working in the fields of sport and antidoping.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust-based relationships with colleagues at all levels and with partners.
• Excellent organizational, coordination and ability to interact with a wide range of stakeholders within and outside of the Organization.
• Good written and oral communication skills with proven ability to prepare and draft clear concise working documents and briefing notes.
• Ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to prioritize work to meet tight deadlines, manage heavy workloads and work under pressure.
• Ability to identify and analyse issues, problem solving and solution oriented.
• Good knowledge and understanding of SHS programmes in its various fields of competence and of the approved programme priorities.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong sense of ethics, integrity, tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• Solid IT skills (MS Office).

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and/or French and good knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience in providing advice to Senior Management.
• Experience in UNESCO’s Programmes and/or normative tools in the field of social and human sciences.
• Experience with the United Nations System, multilateral settings/cooperation and development.
• Experience with sport and antidoping work at the international environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Experience in working in the United Nations system.
• Knowledge of the Anti-Doping Convention and its monitoring framework.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Chinese, Arabic, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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