Job Advertisement

Position Title: Senior Programme Specialist in Social and Human Sciences
Location: Yaoundé
Country: Cameroon
Deadline Date: 06-JAN-2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established to contribute to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, Natural Sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. With a mission to foster knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas, UNESCO aims to enhance mutual understanding among nations. The organization comprises 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members, employing over 2,300 staff members from more than 170 nationalities across its Headquarters and 54 field offices worldwide.

Job Overview:
The position is situated within UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), which is dedicated to addressing fundamental humanist missions such as combating violence, racism, and discrimination, promoting Gender Equality, and leveraging sports for social inclusion. The successful candidate will lead UNESCO’s initiatives in Central Africa, focusing on the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This role involves strategic advice, managing SHS priorities, and ensuring the ethical development of emerging technologies. The incumbent will also coordinate SHS Programmes, provide operational advice to governments, and develop partnerships to enhance the impact of SHS initiatives in the region, aligning with Global Development goals such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for providing strategic advice for better governance of AI, managing SHS priorities related to anti-racism and anti-discrimination, promoting trust in science, and leveraging sports for social inclusion. Specific duties include guiding the national deployment of AI Readiness Assessments, managing and monitoring SHS Programmes, providing strategic and operational advice to governments, developing partnerships, mobilizing resources, and ensuring the relevance and impact of SHS Programmes. The role also requires the Design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Programme for the countries covered by the Office, ensuring alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s) in social and human sciences, political science, or a related discipline. A minimum of 7 years of progressive relevant professional experience in social and human sciences at both national and international levels is required. Experience in thematic areas such as management of social transformations, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and ethics of science and technology is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in Fundraising, resource mobilization, and conducting research, along with the ability to lead and motivate a multicultural team.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s) in the field of social and human sciences, political science, or a related discipline is required. A Ph.D. or equivalent in social and human sciences or a related discipline is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressive relevant professional experience in social and human sciences, with a focus on international cooperation Programmes and establishing professional networks. Experience in research and Analysis relevant to the post, demonstrated through authored peer-reviewed publications, is also beneficial.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English or French is mandatory, with good knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and/or Spanish) is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 2 years, with the possibility of extension. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is 116,607 USD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.