DIRECTOR OF OFFICE AND UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE TO LEBANON AND SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Job Description

Under the overall authority of the Director-General, the direct supervision of the Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations (ADG/PAX) as regards the overall functioning of the office and representational functions, and of the Programme Assistant Directors-General as regards to the programmatic aspects related to the functions of the office as Regional multisectoral Office, the incumbent acts as Director of the UNESCO Regional Multisectoral Office in Beirut, covering Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, Jordan, Iraq and Palestine, and as UNESCO Representative to Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic.

The incumbent will expand and manage the multidisciplinary programme of the Office and provide intellectual, strategic and operational leadership in planning and implementing activities, responding to the priority needs of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic in UNESCO’s fields of competence, participating in the activities of the UN at the national level in Lebanon and Syria, and managing external relations and partnerships. The incumbent also ensures backstopping as regards national programme activities of the National Offices in Amman (Jordan), Baghdad (Iraq) and Ramallah (Palestine).

The incumbent will also act as the Regional Representative in the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and therefore serve as the regional coordinator, ensuring UNESCO’s contribution to the UN reform for the Arab States region.

The incumbent works within the framework of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategies (C/4s), approved Programmes and Budgets (C/5s), the Priority Gender Equality Action Plan and international agreed development agendas such as Agenda 2030.

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.

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 working knowledge of the second language.
  

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About the Organization

“Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed.” (UNESCO Constitution)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

Our vision

Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity.

In this spirit, UNESCO develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance. UNESCO works so that each child and citizen has access to quality education. By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens bonds among nations. UNESCO fosters scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression, as a fundamental right and a key condition for democracy and development. Serving as a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and knowledge sharing.

UNESCO's founding vision was born in response to a world war that was marked by racist and anti-Semitic violence. Seventy years on and many liberation struggles later, UNESCO’s mandate is as relevant as ever. Cultural diversity is under attack and new forms of intolerance, rejection of scientific facts and threats to freedom of expression challenge peace and human rights. In response, UNESCO's duty remains to reaffirm the humanist missions of education, science and culture.