Chief of Section- UNESCO Paris, France

Post title  Chief of Section

Organisational unit  ICT in Education, Science and Culture Section, Information Society Division, Communication and

Information Sector

 Duty station   Paris, France

Grade   P-5

Post number   CI-004

Closing date   28 February 2011

Main responsibilities  Under  the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and  Information (ADG/CI) and the direct  supervision of  the  Director of  Information Society  Division, the  incumbent is  responsible for  the  planning, implementation and evaluation of the strategy, regular programme activities, and extrabudgetary projects of the Section. Working within the frameworks of UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s) and global developments plans, especially the Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit on the Information Society, the incumbent will be namely responsible for the following duties:

I.  Provide intellectual, strategic and operational leadership of the Section by: (a)  driving the preparation of strategies and the biennial programmes and budgets; (b) guiding  the conceptualizing, designing and implementation phase of the Section’s activities; (c) providing expert advice to internal and external stakeholders; (d) driving the multi stakeholder cooperation and outreach of the Section through fostering contacts and joint projects with representatives of Member States, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental bodies and civil society; (e) establishing and managing private sector partnerships.

II.  Ensure the management of the staff of the Section by: motivating staff and  providing mentoring; ensuring appropriate distribution of tasks; monitoring of timely and  appropriate implementation of programme and projects; establishing internal guidelines and procedures; ensuring quality and timely inputs of the Section to reports; establishing information and knowledge management procedures of the Section; monitoring and evaluating the performance of staff.

III. Plan and execute regular programme and extra-budgetary activities by: providing strategic advice in the use of ICTs in education, science and culture for Member States;  recording and sharing information, knowledge and best practices; planning and executing  projects of strategic nature in Member States; providing backstopping support to Advisers for Communication and Information in Field Offices.

Profile   

ƒ    Advanced University degree (preferably at Ph.D. level) in the fields of Communication and/or Information or in the other areas covered by the work of the Section.

ƒ    Ten to fifteen years of progressively responsible relevant experience, of which  preferably  five to seven years

acquired at the international level, in the field of ICTs in education and/or science and/or culture.

ƒ    Recognized experience in leadership and proven ability in planning and managing programmes and projects in the

area of ICTs in education and/or science and/or culture (at least five years).

ƒ    Experience in managing, leading and motivating staff, preferably in a multicultural environment (at least five years).

ƒ    Proven ability to lead and motivate a  team, communicate effectively and persuasively,  orally and in  writing,participate effectively in high-level negotiations, raise extrabudgetary funds, adapt flexibly to changing situations.

ƒ    Excellent IT skills.

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

A written test may be used in the evaluation of candidates

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars but mainly paid in local currency. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. For this post, the annual remuneration in local currency will start from around 98,800 euros (91,800 euros if without dependants), exempt from income tax. In addition, UNESCO offers an attractive benefits package including 30 days annual vacation, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.  The initial appointment, which is for 2 years, includes a probationary period of 12 months, and is renewable, subject to satisfactory service. Worldwide mobility is required as staff members have to serve in other duty stations according to UNESCO’s mobility policy. UNESCO is a non-smoking organization.