Associate Project Officer (Education) (Paris, France) contract

Position Number: ED/PA 257

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 26/03/2026

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

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

The work of the Section of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is organized around three major pillars:

•    Leading and coordinating the global agenda: influencing global processes related to major sustainability challenges and highlighting the role of education as a solution (e.g. climate crisis, biodiversity loss, rising socio‑economic inequalities), while consolidating partnerships with key education and sustainable development stakeholders.
•    Providing guidance, standards, and technical support: strengthening institutional capacity at the country level.
•    Monitoring and evaluation: generating evidence‑informed advocacy, policy, and practice.

The Climate‑Smart Education Initiative funded by GPE, implemented in coordination with IIEP and Save the Children, is one of the programmes led by the Section. It provides technical support to Ministries of Education to integrate CCE/ESD and DRR into curriculum frameworks and teacher education in 35 countries.

Under the overall authority of Assistant Director General for Education, ADG/ED, and of the Director of the Division for Peace and Sustainable Development, and the supervision of Chief of Section, and with the guidance of the Programme Specialists, the incumbent will contribute to implementing the ESD for 2030 framework and the implementation of the Climate Smart Education System Initiative (CSESI).

•    Coordinate and support the global implementation of the Climate Smart Education System Initiative (CSESI):  prepare country workplans; monitor budget management; oversee the establishment of contracts; liaise with Field Offices and partners.
•    Coordinate the implementation of CSESI in selected countries, including in Portuguese speaking countries, and provide technical assistance to Field Offices and national consultants.
•    Monitor the development and production of publications and resources developed under CSESI: draft Terms of Reference, review deliverables, and coordinate with concerned in‑house services.
•    Provide guidance and ensure coordination for online webinars/workshops related to CSESI and ESD organized by the Section in cooperation with relevant in‑house services.
•    Support the implementation of the ESD for 2030 framework and the ESD‑Net 2030: support the organization and follow‑up of global and regional ESD‑Net activities in coordination with Field Offices; draft concept notes, reports, presentations, and communication materials.
 

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

•    Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Environment, Sustainable Development or related fields. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in the field of education, sustainable development and/or policy, of which preferably 1 year acquired at the international level. 
•    Experience in managing, monitoring and evaluating programmes and projects, including at national or local level. 
•    Experience in outreach activities and partnerships/network building at international level.   

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Familiarity with ESD (Education for Sustainable Development)
•    Strong analytical and drafting skills 
•    Ability to think critically and innovatively 
•    Demonstrated capacity to work under tight deadlines  
•    Ability to maintain effective collegial relations in a multi-cultural setting and to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment 
•    Excellent IT skills to carry out the work 
•    Great flexibility working with various stakeholders under different timeframes and with competing priorities 
 

LANGUAGES

•    Excellent oral and written English. 
•    Good knowledge of oral and written French.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Strong global professional network. 
•    Experience in providing support to countries in implementation of education projects and programmes at a national or regional scale.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Understanding of UNESCO’s strategic direction and familiarity of UNESCO’s operations 
•    Knowledge of agile working methodology. 

LANGUAGES

•    Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish) or Portuguese.
 

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 89 057 USD.

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

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.