Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States

Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 4WSPAX0001RP

Grade : D-1

Parent Sector : Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX)

Duty Station: Apia (Samoa) or Suva (Fiji)

Job Family: External Relations

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-MAR-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Given the ongoing process related to the location of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific, the post may be established in Apia (Samoa) or Suva (Fiji).

Under the overall authority of the Director-General, the direct supervision of the Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations (ADG/PAX), in close consultation with the Assistant Directors-General of the five programme sectors, and with the Directors of concerned central services for project planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting, the incumbent will act as the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States and UNESCO Representative to Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Caledonia (Associate Member), New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Tokelau (Associate Member).

The incumbent works within the framework of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategies (C/4), approved Programmes and Budgets (C/5), and the Priority Gender Equality Action Plan, as well as internationally agreed development frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda, with a strong emphasis on their regional and subregional dimensions.

The incumbent positions UNESCO as a trusted development partner in the countries covered by the Office by providing intellectual, strategic and operational leadership to the Office, participating in the activities of the United Nations at the national level in the countries covered by the Office, and managing external relations and partnerships. The incumbent will work in close coordination with the Directors of the other UNESCO Regional Offices in the Asia and the Pacific region.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Communication (C)

Accountability (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Professionalism (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Building partnerships (M)

Driving and managing change (M)

Leading and empowering others (M)

Making quality decisions (M)

Managing performance (M)

Strategic thinking (M)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in a discipline related to UNESCO’s mandate, public or business administration or international relations.

Work Experience

• At least fifteen (15) years of progressive professional experience at the appropriate management level within the United Nations system, other international, national or private sector institutions, including a wide experience in diplomatic work or development issues related to UNESCO’s areas of competence, in association with national and international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy and resources mobilization.
• Proven partnership experience with successful implementation of partners at global, local and community levels.
• Professional experience in the field of education, sciences, culture, social sciences or communication.

Long Description

Skills & Competencies

• Commitment to the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
• Institutional leadership capacity, high sense of objectivity and professional integrity, diplomacy, tact and political astuteness.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and management abilities, including capacity to administer extensive programmes and projects, financial and human resources, as well as to exercise appropriate supervision and control.
• Capacity to provide intellectual leadership to guide staff, as well as ability to build trust, manage, lead and motivate a large and diversified body of staff in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, as well as exercise supervision and control and ensure continuous training and development of staff.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities, and risks.
• Organizational skills, including in establishing plans and priorities, and in implementing them effectively, as well as in devising implementation plans.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing; demonstrated ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners

Languages

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages (English or French) of the Organization and ability to work in the second language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Courses/degree/training in a management-related field.

Work experience

• Experience in the field of international relations and diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, development.

Skills & Competencies

• Broad general culture, good geopolitical knowledge of the region, sound analytic capacities.
• Proven leadership and demonstrated managerial skills combined with flexibility.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to take initiative and maintain effective working relationships with partners of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of the United Nations system.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is US $154,406 (Apia, Samoa) / US $158,237 (Suva, Fiji).

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.