Job Summary:

The Project Assistant will work under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences ; guidance of the Chief of the Inclusion, Rights, and Intercultural Dialogue section and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist overseeing the project.

In close cooperation with team members, the incumbent will support the implementation and coordination of the work of UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme which seeks to empower Young Leaders (25 to 40 years old) and to advance impactful local actions in favor of intercultural dialogue for peace allowing them to leverage their experience and expertise in order to advocate for meaningful structural and policy improvements which favor more effective intercultural exchange.

Duties:

In this context the candidate will perform the following tasks:

• Oversee the call for applications and selection process for the identification of the 50 Young Leaders in each annual cycle of the programme.
• Assist with the development of the programme for the Residential Training Programme, and Global Youth Dialogue for Peace, including the preparation of materials and support to the administrative and logistical aspects.
• Provide assistance for the establishment and oversight of contracts for the development of the two research-led knowledge products (guidelines, toolkits, or research reports) related to the annual theme of the project, as well as the annual ‘Insights Report’ to capture the lessons learnt from the community projects implemented by the Young Leaders.

• Assist with the oversight of the training, support, and mentoring offered to Young Leaders as they work to implement community projects, powered by the grants distributed, working closely with the contractors engaged, and maintaining contact with the Young Leaders to identify at an early point any challenges with the implementation of their projects.
• Provide administrative oversight of the contractors engaged to develop and implement both the Global Intercultural Action Observatory and Alumni Network, ensuring their compliance with contractual requirements, and supporting them with data and information needed to complete their work.
• Assist with the implementation of communications efforts for the project, in close cooperation with the Department for Communications and Public Engagement, including preparing the biographies of selected Young Leaders for the project website, and supporting the drafting of human-interest stories on the work undertaken through their community projects.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Completed secondary education or vocational education.

Work Experience

• Minimum (3) years of relevant work experience in secretarial, and administrative support tasks or related tasks preferably in an international level.

Skills and Competencies

• Experience in providing programme and administrative support services.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including drafting skills, and social media communications skills.
• Solid computer skills, proficiency in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Capacity to handle information objectively,precisely and confidentially.
• Ability to perform tasks in an autonomous matter.
• Flexibility in adjusting to work schedules and setting priorities for efficient task management.
• Ability to show tact and discretion in dealing with high-ranking officials and with confidential matters and materials.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialized training/certification in secretariat/administration.

Work Experience

• Familiarity with UNESCO’s processes and procedures.
• Experience in providing programme and administrative support services.
• Relevant work experience in an international environment/organization/institution.
• Experience in administration.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent copy-editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to prepare documents, letters and reports in accordance with the appropriate format, style or content of documents ensuring compliance with UNESCO procedures.

Languages

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