OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Dakar represents UNESCO in seven West African countries (Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger and Senegal) in all UNESCO’s fields of competence, namely Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture as well as Communication & Information. UNESCO Dakar’s mission is to:

• Document and analyze the situation and major development trends of the Organization’s fields of competence in the countries covered by the Office (Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and the Gambia).
• Ensure that education, sciences, culture, communication and information are placed high on Member States’ development agenda.
• Support Member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in UNESCO’s fields of competence by means of policy advice, capacity development, technical assistance and knowledge sharing.
• Promote partnership and networking with and between Governments, multilateral agencies, civil society organizations, academic community and other relevant institutions in collaboration with the national commissions for UNESCO, UNESCO chairs, clubs and associated schools.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (SHS) and the direct supervision of the Director of the Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the UNESCO Social and Human Science Programme for the countries covered by the Office. He/she will ensure SHS’s contribution to the United Nations Country Team’s (UNCT) programmatic work and Delivering as One exercise in the countries covered by the Office. In particular, the incumbent will

• Manage, coordinate, implement and monitor SHS programmes in the countries covered by the office, in line with the C/5 Programme and Budget document, the UNESCO Country Programming Documents, the countries’ United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and other common UN strategic country instruments, particularly through capacity-building, policy advice, technical assistance, and networking of relevant stakeholders in the SHS Sector’s fields of competence.
• Provide strategic and operational advice to Governments in close cooperation with the SHS Sector at Headquarters, National Commissions, as well as international and regional organizations and universities, in SHS thematic areas. Provide input, including data and statistics for the preparation of reports and briefings on the implementation of programmes and projects.
• Develop strategic partnerships and mobilize extra-budgetary resources to reinforce the Regular Programme. Promote and strengthen partnerships and networking, as well as research and capacity-building, on SHS Sector priority areas namely with African social scientists’ organizations.
• Increase the relevance and the impact of SHS programs on the ground, including the flagships: Recommendation on Ethics of AI; Youth in general, and Youth as researchers; MOST: Fit for Life; Antiracism and discrimination; gender stereotypes and mentalities; Inclusive Policy Lab; Art lab, Intercultural dialogue; Neuroscience, anti-doping in sports; people with disabilities.
• Create synergies between needs on the ground and what UNESCO and SHS can offer. Follow up on the cooperation with the Youth Olympics 2026.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree in the field of social and human sciences, political science or a related discipline.

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in the areas of social and human sciences at the national and international levels.
• Experience in one or more of the following thematic areas: management of social transformations, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, bioethics and ethics of science and technology, youth and sport.
• Experience in conducting research and producing research papers.

Skills and Competencies

• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s work in the field, and familiarity with SHS Sector activities.
• Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
• Proven ability to communicate (in writing and oral), advocate, and negotiate with colleagues, staff and stakeholders at all levels within and outside the organization.
• Proven ability to provide high-level advice and technical support in public policy, planning and research.
• Strong sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills, flexibility, drive and enthusiasm.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations with internal and external partners.
• Knowledge of fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms.
• Ability to work in a team in a multi-cultural environment.
• Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software.
• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of French.
• Working knowledge of English.

Source:https://careers.unesco.org/job/Dakar-Programme-Specialist-%28Social-and-Human-Sciences%29/737120402/