Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to Central African States

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. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO's work is guided by its core values of commitment, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism, and it aims to foster sustainable development through education, science, culture, and communication.

Job Overview:
The position of Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa in Yaounde encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of UNESCO's strategic orientations in the region. The incumbent will operate under the authority of the Director-General and will be responsible for overseeing the office's operations in several countries, including Cameroon, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe. This role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including national governments, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, to promote integrated approaches to development. The Director will also be tasked with managing the office's resources, establishing external relations, and ensuring that UNESCO's programs align with international development agendas such as Agenda 2030 and Agenda 206

• The incumbent will play a crucial role in positioning UNESCO as a trusted partner in development and will be expected to lead initiatives that address the specific needs of the countries covered by the office.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director will be responsible for the overall management of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa, which includes supervising the Heads of National Offices in Brazzaville, Kinshasa, and Libreville. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing the office's multidisciplinary programs in alignment with UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategies and approved budgets.
• Ensuring effective project planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting in collaboration with other UNESCO regional offices and stakeholders.
• Managing the office's operations, resources, and assets efficiently and effectively.
• Establishing and maintaining robust external relations with various partners, including the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CAEMC/CEMAC).
• Participating in UN activities at both the country and sub-regional levels to promote UNESCO's objectives.
• Advocating for resources mobilization and partnership development to support the office's initiatives.
• Leading and mentoring staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field related to UNESCO’s mandate, such as public or business administration, international relations, or a related discipline. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to UNESCO's mission and values, with a proven track record in leadership and management within international or national organizations.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a discipline related to UNESCO’s mandate is required. This may include fields such as public administration, business administration, international relations, or other relevant areas that align with UNESCO's objectives.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least fifteen (15) years of progressive professional experience at a management level within the United Nations system or other international, national, or private sector institutions. This experience should include a wide range of diplomatic work or development issues related to UNESCO’s areas of competence, along with demonstrated experience in advocacy and resource mobilization.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of and drafting skills in one of the working languages of the Organization (English or French) is mandatory, along with the ability to work in the second language. Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 2 years, which is renewable. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is US$164,898, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. Candidates are reminded that geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts, and all applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity and encourages applications from individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities.