Deputy Director-General

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, plays a crucial role in fostering peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation in various fields such as education, science, culture, and communication. Established in 1945, UNESCO operates globally with a mission to build the foundations of lasting peace and promote equitable development. The organization is headquartered in Paris and has a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing complex global challenges. UNESCO is committed to upholding its core values of integrity, respect for diversity, professionalism, and commitment to the organization, ensuring that its operations are effective and impactful across its member states.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director-General at UNESCO is a pivotal leadership role that involves providing strategic direction and oversight for the organization's worldwide operations and programs. This position requires a strong focus on effective management, budget oversight, and resource mobilization. The incumbent will work closely with the Director-General to advance UNESCO's strategic objectives, ensuring that the organization's priorities are translated into coherent programs that yield tangible results. The role also emphasizes fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the organization, promoting innovation and modernization, and enhancing organizational efficiency. The Deputy Director-General will represent the Director-General in various high-level meetings and strategic dialogues, ensuring that UNESCO's mission and visibility are strengthened globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the Deputy Director-General include:

• Supporting the Director-General in advancing UNESCO's strategic objectives and promoting organizational excellence.
• Ensuring that strategic priorities are effectively translated into coherent programs and measurable outcomes.
• Overseeing financial governance and budget planning to align financial resources with programmatic priorities.
• Promoting digital transformation and coherent IT governance to enhance operational efficiency.
• Supporting staff performance and career development initiatives to improve workflow and reduce bureaucracy.
• Providing strategic guidance for fundraising campaigns and partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Representing the Director-General in meetings, missions, and inter-agency forums, and chairing task forces as needed.
• Carrying out high-priority initiatives and additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director-General.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as business or public administration, management, finance, economics, or international relations. Additionally, candidates should have at least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in senior leadership roles, with a significant portion at the managerial or financial executive level within government, multilateral organizations, or large multinational entities. Proven experience in leading diverse teams, managing organizational transformation, and engaging with high-level officials is essential. A strong track record in fundraising and resource mobilization is also required, along with the ability to build strategic partnerships.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields. A Ph.D. level degree in a discipline related to the post is considered desirable, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for this senior leadership role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in senior leadership and strategic management roles. This experience should include significant responsibilities in policy development, organizational transformation, and managing large teams. Familiarity with the workings of international organizations and experience in engaging with high-level government officials are critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages of UNESCO (English or French) are mandatory. A working knowledge of the second language is desirable, and knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is US $268,761, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented member states, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities. The organization is committed to maintaining a non-smoking environment and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.