National Programme Officer (Social and Human Sciences)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

Job Description

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), direct supervision of the Director of UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office, and in close collaboration with and guidance from the SHS Programme Specialist in the Office, the incumbent will be responsible for providing professional and technical support, research and analysis, with an emphasis on the national perspective of their own country, to the Regional Office and Social and Human Sciences Sector work as well as to inter-sectoral programmatic activities and initiatives conducted from own duty station. S/he will work within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and according to global development plans such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Support advancement of better governance of AI, through the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This involves supporting the national deployment of AI Readiness Assessments in the region, identifying strategic opportunities, expanding networks and contacts, and developing and executing work plans.
• Advance SHS priorities on championing the anti-racism and anti-discrimination agenda; promoting trust in science and protecting scientists and scientific freedom; leveraging sports for social inclusion via Fit for Life; promoting gender equality, intercultural dialogue, and youth-led initiatives; and facilitating social and human science-based policy-making through the MOST programme.
• Provide technical inputs to shape the design and implementation of programs and projects aimed at strengthening national capacities in alignment with the priorities outlined in the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Draft detailed work plans, task descriptions, budgets and output indicators for projects.
• Implement and monitor activities and projects within established work plans and document progress against predefined performance indicators.
• Carry out situational analysis, and compile data and inputs for concept notes, publications, briefings and documents.
• Provide substantive, logistical and administrative support to projects, consultations, meetings, events and missions.
• Monitor, track and report on regular and extra budgetary project implementation and outputs within the Delhi Office, including using relevant UNESCO tools.
• Provide inputs for the preparation of methodological and other guides for implementation and evaluation for use within Delhi Office and as a contribution to national capacity development.
• Support the Programme Specialist in multi-sectoral and cross-country programmatic activities and initiatives in the Region.

Research and Knowledge Management:

• Conduct high quality research and analysis to translate global analyses, normative frameworks, and guidelines into actionable knowledge products and insights tailored for countries in the Region. These efforts aim to support countries in developing effective governance tools and enhance their capacities to craft inclusive policies, improving the well-being of people.
• Maintain awareness of development and advancements on SHS priorities with a special focus on countries in the Region to advice the Sector on policy formulation, project development, resources and best practices.
• Research, recommend and contribute to the development and expansion of a knowledge base on SHS priorities, ensuring regular contributions to web and printed content and dissemination to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Prepare data and inputs for documents, projects and proposals as well as conventional and on-line publications, visibility and public information materials, and social media and website content.
• Ensure knowledge management, websites and information systems are up to date and content is easily accessible to the UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office staff.
• Upload to automated systems (SharePoint) and other platforms the institutional memory of own office. Contribute inputs to the design of project progress and performance monitoring tools. Analyse best practices and current trends to contribute inputs to the knowledge base.