UNESCO Project Assistant - Education

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 aims to build peace in the minds of men and women, and it is committed to fostering sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The Project Assistant position at UNESCO is crucial for supporting the organization’s initiatives aimed at combating racism and promoting peace education. The incumbent will work under the guidance of senior officials and will be responsible for a variety of administrative tasks that are essential for the smooth functioning of the projects. This role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently. The Project Assistant will assist in procurement and finance-related activities, ensuring compliance with UNESCO's rules and procedures. Additionally, the role involves creating and reviewing documents, maintaining organized filing systems, and providing logistical support for meetings and workshops. The Project Assistant will also monitor project activities and budgets, ensuring that all commitments are tracked and reported accurately. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about contributing to educational initiatives that promote global citizenship and peace.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Assistant include:

• Assisting in procurement and finance-related tasks, such as processing contracts and purchase orders, and making travel arrangements in accordance with UNESCO guidelines.
• Creating, reviewing, and delivering various documents including correspondence, memos, reports, and presentations.
• Liaising with corporate services for translation, printing, and dissemination of materials.
• Maintaining organized reference filing systems for easy access to project documents.
• Monitoring project activities and budgets, including liaising with project officers to track commitments and assist in budget revisions.
• Providing administrative and logistical support for missions, meetings, workshops, and conferences, including preparing working documents and coordinating participant logistics.
• Participating in meetings and preparing minutes or summaries as required.
• Performing any other related duties as assigned by the Chief of Section or relevant programme specialists.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Project Assistant position include:

• Completed secondary education, with technical or vocational education being an advantage.
• A minimum of five years of work experience in administrative support and/or project/programme implementation assistance.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills, with a strong ability to manage travel, mission, and meeting arrangements.
• High attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure, with flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, and technical or vocational education is preferred. This educational background provides the foundational skills necessary for the administrative tasks required in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in administrative support and/or project/programme implementation assistance. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Languages:
Candidates must possess excellent knowledge of English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language (both verbal and written). Knowledge of additional UNESCO official languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a project appointment for a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is open to both internal and external candidates, but only those entitled to work in France may apply. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 43,734 EUR, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The selection process may involve pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and interviews with a panel. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States.