Chief of Section (Arab States and Asia & the Pacific)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : PAX 004

Grade : P-5

Parent Sector : Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: External Relations

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-MAY-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the authorityof the Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations (ADG/PAX) and the direct supervision of the Director of External Relations Division (DIR/PAX/DRX), the Chief of Section for the Arab States region and the Asia and the Pacific region willact as coordinator responsible for defining and conceptualizing, in cooperation with senior management, an overall vision to strengthen cooperation with Member States in the Arab Statesregion as well as the Asia and thePacific region.

Long Description

The incumbent will play a strategic role as coordinator of both teams – Arab States and Asia and the Pacific – by undertaking the following duties :

• Provide overall supervision, guidance and monitoring of the performance of the concerned regional desks in charge of relations with Member States of the Arab States region as well as the Asia and the Pacific region. 
• Supervise the preparation of briefing notes, talking points and other written material for the Director-General and provide continuous guidance and advice to Senior Management.
• Manage and coordinate relations with concerned Member States and Regional Organizations, ensuring strategic and political support as well as providing high-level briefing and guidance to Senior Management for their audience with Member States, Heads of States and Government and other Senior officials. 
• Define and ensure implementation of an overall strategy and vision to strengthen cooperation with Member States in the Arab States region as well as the Asia and the Pacific region. 
• Develop and maintain relations with Senior Government officials and other relevant counterparts and interlocutors, and advise them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
• Lead, direct and manage a work team; plan and allocate work assignment, coach, mentor and evaluate staff; participate in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programmes.
• Plan, coordinate and manage programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or inter-agency involvement and participation, and offers political guidance and advice. 
• Represent the Division of External Relations, theSector PAXand the Organization at round tables, seminars and conferences.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of international relations, political sciences, social sciences, or in otherrelated areas.

Work Experience

• At least ten (10)years of progressively relevantprofessional experience, at the appropriate management level, in the field of external relations, diplomacy, or related fields, of which preferably five (5)years acquired at international level, within the UN system, other international, national or private sector institutions.
• Extensiveexperience in diplomatic work or development issues related to UNESCO’s areas of competence, including building and maintaining strategic relations with international organizations, regional organizations.
• Experience in the field of international relations and diplomacy, multilateral cooperation and development and management.
• Experience in advocacy, partnership creation, notably at the international level.

Long Description

Skills & Competencies

• Commitment to and knowledge of the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
• Knowledge of UNESCO’s programmes and policies and of international development policies and institutions.
• Leadership capacity, high sense of objectivity and professional integrity, diplomacy, tact and political astuteness.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and management abilities, including capacity to administer extensive programmes and financial resources.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities, and risks.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills. 
• Proven skills in administration and management of financial and human resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and coordinationskills with strong representational abilities. 
• Strong diplomatic skills and a sense of strategic negotiation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with excellent drafting skills, and proven ability to advocate and negotiate with colleagues, staff and stakeholders at all levels within and outside the Organization. 
• Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills, including in providing strategic advice to senior management, in establishing plans and priorities, and in implementing them effectively, as well as in devising implementation plans.
• Ability to manage and supervise a team of professional members and to maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment, as well as to work within tight deadlines, with multiple priorities, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail and high-quality work.

Languages

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Courses/training or diploma in a field related to the post.

Work Experience

• Experience in conducting dialogue with representatives of Member States.
• Senior-level assignments at the international level and/or within the United Nations system.
• Professional experience gained in multicultural working environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System.
• Broad general culture and geopolitical knowledge of the Arab States region and Asia and the Pacific region, as well as understanding of current international affairs.

Languages

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

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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