Special Advisor to the Director-General

OVERVIEW Position Number: ODG 095 Grade: D-1 Parent Sector: Office of the Director-General (ODG) Duty Station: Paris Job Family: Administration Contract Type: Fixed Term Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 10/07/2026 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, ProfessionalismOVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST UNESCO is the United Nations specialized agency dedicated to building peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. In a rapidly changing global landscape, UNESCO is reinforcing its role within the multilateral system and adapting its structures and methods of work to better respond to Member States’ aspirations. Under the overall authority of the Director-General, the incumbent, in close cooperation with the Senior Management Team, provides leadership, coordination and guidance on institutional governance, organizational reform and management modernization matters in support of effective institutional functioning across the Organization. The incumbent facilitates coordination among relevant stakeholders, facilitates dialogue and advises the Director-General on matters related to governance, organizational reform, administration, human resources management and the UNESCO80 Reform. He/she also provides recommendations and guidance on institutional matters relating to governance frameworks, management reform and modernization, institutional effectiveness, oversight, transparency and accountability mechanisms, institutional effectiveness and organizational modernization.KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES In particular, the incumbent shall: Coordinate organizational reform and management modernization initiatives across the Organization in order to support institutional effectiveness, organizational adaptation and reform implementation, including developing anticipatory and forward-looking approaches to institutional reform and adaptation to emerging developments affecting the Organization, and fostering synergies and complementarities across sectors and organizational entities. Oversee and coordinate the preparation of institutional and governance-related documentation submitted to the Executive Board and the General Conference, and oversee the work of the secretaries of the governing bodies. Provide recommendations and guidance on complex institutional matters relating to governance frameworks, management reform, oversight and accountability mechanisms in order to support institutional effectiveness and organizational modernization, including in the context of the UNESCO80 Reform. Contribute, with PAX Sector, to UNESCO’s participation in United Nations system-wide strategic, governance and reform-related processes, including inter-agency coordination and reform initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional effectiveness, policy coherence and multilateral cooperation across the UN system. For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022 – 2029) and 43 C/5 (UNESCO’s Draft Programme and Budget for 2026-2029 quadrennium).COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Strategic thinking (M) Making quality decisions (M) Managing performance (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Short Description For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international relations, political science, public administration, finance, law, manage