Assistant Director-General for Sciences

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, established in 1945, is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. With a mission to build peace, eradicate poverty, and foster sustainable development, UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization is committed to promoting education, science, culture, and communication as fundamental human rights and essential components of sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The director-general" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Assistant Director-General for Sciences will provide intellectual leadership and strategic vision for the Sciences Sector, aligning with UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–202

• This role involves overseeing the implementation of Major Programmes related to Natural Sciences and Social and Human Sciences, ensuring that the sector effectively addresses global challenges through scientific cooperation and innovation. The position requires a strong commitment to integrating various scientific disciplines to promote sustainable development, human rights, and ethical governance. The Assistant Director-General will also be responsible for fostering international scientific cooperation and enhancing the capacity of Member States to manage the implications of scientific advancements, particularly in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Director-General for Sciences will advance UNESCO’s initiatives across key domains, including social policies, ethics, ecological sciences, and water sciences. Responsibilities include strengthening governance related to science and technology, promoting open science approaches, and enhancing knowledge-sharing. The role requires monitoring global scientific trends, fostering international cooperation, and developing integrated actions with UNESCO’s global networks. The Assistant Director-General will also represent UNESCO in high-level international forums, mobilize partnerships, and ensure that the organization remains a leader in addressing emerging challenges through innovative scientific solutions. Additionally, the position involves supporting youth engagement and promoting intercultural dialogue.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline. A Ph.D. is desirable. The role requires at least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in senior leadership positions related to UNESCO’s Sciences Programme, with a focus on managing global scientific initiatives. Candidates should demonstrate strong negotiation skills, experience in leading diverse teams, and a proven track record in representing organizations at high levels. Knowledge of UNESCO’s strategic objectives and administrative processes is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a discipline related to the field of sciences is required. A Ph.D. level degree in the field of sciences or its sub-disciplines is considered desirable for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of fifteen years of relevant professional experience in senior leadership roles, particularly in areas directly related to UNESCO’s Sciences Programme. This includes experience in managing global scientific programmes and institutions, conducting complex negotiations, and engaging with high-level government and international officials. Demonstrated experience in leading large teams and managing organizational transformation is essential.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages of the Organization (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, renewable. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is US$ 243,931, with additional benefits including 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity and encourages applications from candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts, and candidates must provide proof of their educational qualifications upon request.