Programme Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a mission to build peace in the minds of men and women, and it operates in over 190 countries worldwide. UNESCO is committed to fostering cultural diversity, promoting education for all, and ensuring freedom of expression. The organization employs thousands of individuals globally, working across various sectors to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant position is integral to the Communication and Information (CI) programme at UNESCO's Regional Office for Southern Africa, located in Harare. The role involves providing administrative and programmatic support to the CI programme, which focuses on promoting freedom of expression, access to information, and the safety of media professionals. The Programme Assistant will be responsible for coordinating CI sector projects, which includes conceptualizing, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating project activities. This position requires a proactive approach to resource mobilization and collaboration with national commissions, partners, and donors. The Programme Assistant will also enhance the visibility of the sector through effective communication strategies, including managing website content and social media platforms. The role demands strong organizational skills to coordinate events, workshops, and meetings, ensuring that all logistical aspects are handled efficiently. The Programme Assistant will also be involved in drafting reports, correspondence, and other documentation, contributing to the overall success of the CI programme.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant will perform a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing administrative and programmatic support to the Adviser for the Communication and Information Sector by coordinating CI sector projects. This includes conceptualizing, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating project activities.
• Contributing to the design of project documents, conducting desk research, drafting concept notes, terms of reference, and reports to support resource mobilization activities.
• Liaising with National Commissions, partners, and donors to ensure compliance with contract terms and UNESCO reporting standards.
• Enhancing sector visibility by developing website content, managing social media platforms, and maintaining a photo and video library for sector visibility products.
• Coordinating sector events, workshops, forums, and meetings, including logistical support, facilitation, and documentation of proceedings.
• Responding to inquiries, managing appointments, and facilitating travel arrangements for visiting officials.
• Drafting, reviewing, proofreading, and editing outgoing correspondence, ensuring adherence to standard practices and protocols.
• Executing additional tasks assigned by the Regional Advisor or Director of the Office, including providing support to other sectors and guiding interns and trainees.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, Information, ICT, Digital-related Studies, or Social Sciences. The role requires strong communication skills, teamwork, planning, and organizational abilities. A results-focused mindset is essential, along with project delivery experience, which will be considered an advantage. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English, and knowledge of a local language is an added advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, Information, ICT, Digital-related Studies, or Social Sciences. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of communication and information management within an international context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience. Experience in an international and multicultural organization will be considered an advantage, as it provides valuable insights into the dynamics of working in diverse environments and enhances the candidate's ability to navigate complex organizational structures.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in a local language is considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate better communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the CI programme.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is six months, from July 2026 to December 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on the availability of funds and performance. The position is classified at the SC4 level, and it is open to external candidates. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its hiring process. The organization applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment and encourages individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, and UNESCO does not charge any fees at any stage of the hiring process.