Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (ADG/SHS) and the direct supervision of the Head of UNESCO Mexico City Office, and in close collaboration with the SHS Specialist at UNESCO Headquarters (HQ) and in other Field Offices, the National Programme Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing programmes and projects in Mexico, providing advice, research and knowledge management expertise, leading partnership development and resource mobilisation, with an emphasis on the national perspective and needs of the country.

In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for providing professional and technical support, research, analysis, and mobilisation of partners and funds, with an emphasis on the social, ethical, and human rights implications of disruptive technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and neurotechnology, using UNESCO international recommendations, declarations, and standards.

S/he will implement and evaluate programme initiatives to support Mexico at the federal and local levels. These initiatives focus on social inclusion, combating against racism and discrimination, promoting intercultural dialogue, encouraging sports and physical activities, empowering women and youth and advancing bioethics.

The incumbent will work within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and according to global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

In particular, the incumbent will:

• Contribute to identifying, designing, planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring of programmes and activities in the field of social and human sciences in Mexico in line with the strategies and priorities of SHS Sector in the framework of UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and Programme and Budget (C/5).
• In close collaboration with national and local authorities, identify, analyse and assess priorities in line with SHS priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), including but not limited to:

– Promoting the development of emerging technologies, particularly AI and neurotechnology considering the social, ethical and human rights implications, in the frame of UNESCO’s standards.

– Advancing effective social policies and practices, addressing the social impact of inequalities, climate transition and the digital transformation, and advising on effective policies to achieve inclusive development.

– Developing detailed work plans, with budget and results framework.

– Implementing and monitoring activities and projects within established work plans, and monitoring, tracking and reporting progress on regular and extra budgetary project implementation, using the relevant UNESCO’s tools.

– Proposing linkages for SHS initiatives at the national level and developing new project options and proposals to expand the portfolio, including under United Nations Joint Programme or UNESCO’s intersectoral initiatives.

– Supporting the implementation of the programme, maintaining relations and partnerships with the national and local governments, relevant intergovernmental, regional and sub-regional organizations, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations, bilateral and multilateral donors/partners, development banks, international organizations and institutions as well as the private sector in SHS field.

– Contributing to the resource mobilisation of the Sector in the Office in line with the national/local policy priorities and in accordance with the C/5 and UNESCO’s and SHS Sector’s resource mobilisation strategy and plans.

– Liaising on a regular basis with the SHS Programme Specialist in HQ the UNESCO Regional Office in San Jose for programme coherence, alignment, and synergy.

– Organizing and leading meetings, events, missions; providing administrative support and consultations needed for delivering the programme.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the fields of the social and human sciences, political sciences, international relations, law, economics, bioethics or a related discipline.

Work Experience

• Minimum 4 (four) years of relevant professional experience performing a similar technical and coordination functions in the area of social and human sciences or other related fields, at the national and/or sub-regional level.
• Experience in working in the implementation of national and/or sub-regional projects in the area of social and human sciences.
• Proven experience in working with the national institutions and government in Mexico.
• Proven experience in the negotiation, implementation and monitoring of extra-budgetary projects and designing of funding proposals.

Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to plan, implement and report on programme actions and projects.
• Ability to participate effectively in negotiations with internal and external partners.
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate teams and peers.
• Skills in communicating effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing.
• Excellent IT skills, knowledge management and social networking skills, good understanding of emerging communication and information technologies and their potential uses.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience in an international environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Familiarity with key mechanisms such as the Common Country Assessment (CCA), United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), United Nations Country Team (UNCT), Delivering as One (DAO), United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) and United Nations Inter-Agency initiatives.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian).