UNESCO is Hiring an Associate Project Officer for Social Policy Innovation in Paris.Explore this international career opportunity with UNESCO. We are advertising for an Associate Project Officer (P-2) to be based at the organization’s global headquarters in Paris, France. This role is central to managing a multi-country project focused on social and human sciences, evidence-based policymaking, and public sector innovation, funded by the European Commission. If you have a Master’s degree and 2+ years of experience in project coordination, international development, and stakeholder liaison, this position offers a competitive UN salary and the chance to advance global sustainable development goals.
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 social justice, fostering inclusive societies, and strengthening the links between research and public policy. The sector works to empower people to drive social transformation and development, focusing on key areas such as ethics of science and technology, youth development, sports for peace, and the management of social transformations through programs like MOST (Management of Social Transformations). A critical component of this work is the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab, which connects knowledge to policy by bringing together a global network of experts, policymakers, and civil society.
This advertised position for an Associate Project Officer is situated within a dynamic and innovative 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 evidence-based, effective social policies. This initiative represents a significant investment in strengthening governance and institutional capabilities from within.
The Associate Project Officer will play a vital support role in the coordination and implementation of this multi-country initiative. Based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the incumbent will work under the direct supervision of a Senior Project Officer. The role involves close collaboration with country project teams, beneficiary governments, and a diverse network of external stakeholders. The position is not only about maintaining the current project but also actively supporting its replication and scale-up into other UNESCO Member States, ensuring its long-term integration into UNESCO’s regular program activities and the broader framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UNESCO is Hiring an Associate Project Officer for Social Policy Innovation in Paris
Tasks
The Associate Project Officer will be entrusted with a range of operational and substantive tasks, including:
1. Project Coordination and Implementation Support
- Provide comprehensive support for the coordination 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 and administrative support to the on-site project teams and beneficiary authorities in the six participating Member States.
- Assist in the monitoring of project activities, tracking progress against set milestones and deliverables to ensure timely and effective implementation.
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 required under the project, synthesizing complex information from various sources into clear and concise formats.
- Support the creation and curation of a dedicated EU expert network through the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab platform.
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, kick-off meetings, and project missions.
- 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. Reporting, Communication, and Resource Mobilization
- Assist in the preparation of regular progress reports for both internal UNESCO management and external donors, ensuring clear and accurate communication of results.
- Contribute to efforts for resource mobilization and the strategic scale-up of the project within and beyond the initial participating Member States.
- 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.
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 & Benefits Details:
- Grade: P-2
- Duty Station: Paris, France
- Type of contract: Project Appointment
- Duration of contract: 1 year, with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
- Salary and Benefits: The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 86,881 US$. UNESCO salaries are complemented by a comprehensive benefits package, which may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowances, 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 and is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
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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