UNESCO is recruiting an Associate Project Officer (P-2) to be based at its global headquarters in Paris, France. This international role focuses on social policy innovation and public sector capacity building across multiple Member States. We are advertising a competitive annual salary of approximately $86,881 USD, plus benefits, for a candidate with a Master’s degree and 2+ years of experience in project coordination and international development. If you have expertise in the knowledge-policy nexus and evidence-based policymaking, apply before the deadline for this career-defining opportunity with a leading UN agency.

Background & Job Description

This job post is presented for informational and application purposes by our platform. We are an independent job board and are not affiliated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). All information is sourced from the official UNESCO vacancy announcement.

UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) is dedicated to advancing fundamental freedoms and social justice. It works to empower people to drive social transformation and development, focusing on key areas such as ethics, youth development, sports for peace, and the management of social transformations. A central initiative within this sector is the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab, a global platform that connects knowledge to policy by fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and civil society.

This advertised position for an Associate Project Officer is situated within a significant project funded by the European Commission. The project’s core objective is to develop in-house consulting capacities within the public sectors of six participating UNESCO Member States, enhancing their ability to design and implement more effective, evidence-based social policies. This initiative represents a strategic investment in strengthening governance from within.

Based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the Associate Project Officer will play a vital support role under the supervision of a Senior Project Officer. The incumbent will be instrumental in coordinating with country project teams, beneficiary governments, and a diverse network of external stakeholders. The role extends beyond maintaining the current project to actively supporting its replication and scale-up into other UNESCO Member States, ensuring its long-term integration into the organization’s Regular Programme and its alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNESCO is Hiring an Associate Project Officer in Paris with an $86,881 Salary

Tasks

The Associate Project Officer will be responsible for a range of operational, research, and coordination tasks, including:

1. Project Coordination and Implementation Support

• Provide comprehensive support for the coordination and implementation of the project at both global and national outcome levels, as defined in the official Project Document/Description of Action (DoA).
• Maintain regular contact with and provide logistical support to the on-site project teams and beneficiary authorities in the six participating Member States and other jurisdictions replicating the work.
• Assist in the monitoring of project activities and support regular internal and external communication on implementation progress.

2. Research, Analysis, and Documentation

• Conduct high-quality research and policy-oriented analysis on topics relevant to the project’s goals, including “as-is” situational analyses and “to-be” models for public sector innovation.
• Draft substantive documentation, reports, and briefing notes, synthesizing complex information from various sources into clear and concise formats for diverse audiences.
• Support the creation and curation of the project’s EU expert network through the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab platform and facilitate its expansion.

3. Event Organization and Stakeholder Engagement

• Organize and provide operational support for all project-related events, including meetings of the Project Advisory Group, National Coordination Groups, horizontal workshops, and kick-off meetings.
• Establish and maintain professional contacts with relevant external organizations, intergovernmental bodies, and individual experts to foster collaboration and partnership.
• Support engagement with internal UNESCO actors and external stakeholders involved in the project.

4. Strategic Integration and Resource Mobilization

• Support the integration of the project’s outcomes and methodologies into the broader strategies of the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab, the MOST programme, and the SHS Sector as a whole.
• Contribute to efforts for resource mobilization and the strategic scale-up of the project within and beyond the initial participating Member States.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social and Human Sciences, International Relations, Social and Public Sector Innovation, or a closely related field is required.
• A post-graduate specialization in any of the above fields is considered a desirable asset.

Experience

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of Social Sciences, the knowledge-policy nexus, or evidence-based policymaking.
• At least one year of this experience should preferably be at the international level.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting programme design and implementation, with a strong preference for experience with multi-country and European Commission-funded interventions.
• Proven experience in liaising and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Desired Experience:

• Work experience in similar functions within the United Nations system or another comparable international organization or institution is a significant advantage.

Additional Information

Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge (both spoken and written) of either English or French and a good working knowledge of the other language is mandatory.

Desirable Language Skills:

• Good knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, or Russian) is a strong asset.

Contract & Compensation Details:

• Grade: P-2
• Duty Station: Paris, France
• Type of contract: Project Appointment (1 year, with possibility of extension)
• Salary Range: The approximate annual starting salary for this post is $86,881 USD.
• Benefits: UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include, if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan.

Equal Opportunity Statement:
UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution and gender parity among its staff members. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States, individuals from minority and indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.

Selection Process:
The evaluation of candidates may include tests, assessments, and a competency-based interview. Only selected candidates will be contacted and are subject to reference checks.

Scam Alert:
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

How to Apply:
All applications must be submitted through the official UNESCO careers website before the application deadline of 12 November 2025 (Midnight Paris Time).

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