Project Assistant (Social and Human Sciences)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : SHS/PA 043

Grade : G-4

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: General Administrative Support

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

Only candidates who are entitled to work in France can apply to this position

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

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 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.

The Project Assistant 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 cooperation with team members, the s/he will support the implementation and coordination of the work on the Monitoring and Traditional Pharmacopoeia.

In this context, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Assistance in Monitoring and Traditional Pharmacopoeia: Provide operational and administrative assistance in the implementation of monitoring policy and provisions established under the Convention and the Fund within the framework of COP relevant Resolutions, ADLogic management and follow-up to monitoring compliance requirements and traditional pharmacopoeia under the Convention. Respond to enquiries and follow-up on routine outstanding matters.

Support in the Follow-Up to COP-Approved Activities: Provide assistance in the implementation of decisions taken at the ninth session of the Conference of Parties (2023) and in the preparation of the tenth session of the Conference of Parties (2025), and support for the preparation of ADG/SHS engagement, in particular regarding logistics and administrative arrangements.

​​​​​​​Foresight, Communication and Visibility: Provide assistance in the foresight activities under the Convention, notably in the compilation of documents and creation of packages for dissemination. Provide support to visibility and communication activities regarding monitoring compliance framework and practice of the Anti-Doping Convention, including on the UNESCO website; in this context perform informal translations of short texts, as appropriate.

General Secretarial Support: Assist in the organization and follow-up of meetings of initiatives under the Convention, including technical and logistical needs, registration and liaison with participants, drafting or updating of practical documentation, coordinate with the team and relevant stakeholders. Draft correspondence, briefings, inputs and other notes on the Anti-Doping Convention. Provide assistance in the preparation and closure of contracts, as well as preparation of missions, where relevant. Ensure the proper creation and closure of files and the safe retention of all documentation online and in paper format, establish and update accurate address lists.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Completed secondary education or vocational education.

Work Experience 

• Minimum of 3 (three) years of relevant work experience in secretarial and administrative support tasks.
• Experience in preparation of contracting documentation.

Skills and Competencies 

• Ability to perform support functions in contracts drafting under routine supervision and follow up on extra-budgetary funding. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds with tact and sensitivity to diversity.
• Good international and communications skills, including drafting skills in English and/or French and note-taking skills.
• Ability to draft correspondence and correct documents.
• Attention to detail and meticulous in correspondence.
• Ability to work under pressure by respecting tight deadlines and establishing priorities.
• Good organizational skills including, planning, coordination, and monitoring of work plans. 
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Discretion, initiative and service oriented to provide quality and timely support and services.
• Diplomacy and politeness in dealing with external and internal partners when requesting information.
• Ability to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight end deadlines, paying close attention to details.
• Solid computer skills, proficiency in the use MS Office (Word,Excel,Outlook,PowerPoint, ect..) 

Languages

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience with UNESCO and understanding of the Organization, including its reporting, financial and administrative systems and tools, would be an asset.
• 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 level.

Skills and Competencies 

• Knowledge of the Anti-Doping Convention and its monitoring framework.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, 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 39 422 Euros.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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