Program Assistant – Culture or Program Assistant - Science

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to foster a culture of peace, sustainable development, and human rights. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working across various sectors including education, natural sciences, social sciences, culture, and communication. UNESCO is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce, ensuring that its staff reflects the rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds from around the globe.

Job Overview:
The Program Assistant positions at UNESCO Dhaka are designed to provide essential support to the Culture and Science sectors, which are pivotal in addressing Bangladesh's national priorities such as heritage preservation, climate resilience, and social inclusion. The selected candidates will be responsible for assisting in the organization of meetings, workshops, and events, as well as maintaining accurate records and supporting the monitoring of budgets and administrative processes. The roles require a proactive approach to program support, ensuring the smooth operation of the culture and science teams, and contributing to the visibility and outreach of UNESCO's work in Bangladesh. The positions are expected to enhance program development, coordination, research, reporting, and communication capacities within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities for the Program Assistant – Culture include organizing meetings, workshops, and events, maintaining filing systems, tracking deadlines, and providing administrative support. The role also involves arranging official travel, preparing procurement requests, maintaining records, drafting correspondence, and assisting in organizing training sessions. For the Program Assistant – Science, responsibilities include contributing to project development, conducting research, monitoring project implementation, liaising with stakeholders, and drafting communication materials. Both positions require collaboration with various partners and maintaining organized documentation for effective knowledge management.

Required Qualifications:
For the Program Assistant - Culture, a first-level university degree in development studies, social sciences, or a related field is required, along with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in administration, program support, finance, or logistics. Fluency in Bangla and a good working knowledge of English are mandatory, along with proficiency in MS Office. For the Program Assistant - Science, a Bachelor’s degree is required, with a Master’s degree preferred, in fields such as Development Studies or Environmental Science, along with similar experience and language requirements as the Culture position.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Program Assistant - Culture must possess a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as development studies or social sciences. For the Program Assistant - Science, a Bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for a Master’s degree in Development Studies, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or related fields. Both positions require a solid educational foundation to effectively support the program's objectives.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience is required for both positions, specifically in areas such as administration, program support, finance, or logistics. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage tasks effectively and contribute to the successful implementation of projects within the organization.

Languages:
Fluency in Bangla is mandatory for both positions, along with a good working knowledge of English, both oral and written. This language proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the team and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The positions are offered on a service contract basis for a duration of 3 months, with the possibility of extension. The selected candidates will receive a monthly salary of 60,000 BDT plus a 15% social security charge. The recruitment process is open to both internal and external candidates, and all applications must be submitted online by the deadline of 11 January 202

• Candidates are encouraged to indicate the specific position they are applying for in their application. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups, including individuals from minority and indigenous backgrounds.