Executive and Coordination Officer (Bureau of Strategic Planning)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : BSP 969

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20-JAN-2025

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO’s Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP) drives the Organization’s strategic planning and reporting, resource alignment, and programme coherence while building robust partnerships to support its mission. BSP develops UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy and Biennial Programme, ensuring alignment with global priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, BSP coordinates corporate partnerships, oversees the mobilization of voluntary resources, and manages grant agreements. It also promotes results-based management, oversees programme monitoring, and supports capacity building, ensuring that UNESCO’s initiatives are both effective and responsive to global needs.

 

Under the authority and direct supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Strategic Planning (DIR/BSP), the incumbent will serve as Executive Officer for BSP, providing technical advice, integrated management, knowledge management, and coordination to ensure the effective and timely delivery of BSP functions. This role supports BSP operations across all divisions, working closely with BSP units, Headquarters, Field Offices, and external stakeholders. Acting as the main coordinator for cross-divisional projects, the incumbent will handle initiatives that require an integrated, Bureau- or organization-wide approach, and sustained knowledge sharing. Additionally, she/he will manage the Secretariat for internal coordination groups, such as the Committee for the Review of High-Risk Projects and the Programme Coordination Group.

 

Within this context, the incumbent will:

Long Description

• Ensure the effective, high-quality functioning of the BSP Directorate by driving synergy, rigorous quality control, and strategic follow-up of key BSP deliverables. Support the development of BSP workplans and budgets, support their implementation and oversee their monitoring. Ensure regular meetings of the Bureau’s senior management and that key priorities are addressed in a timely manner. This role requires good coordination and an overview of BSP’s priorities to align workflows across BSP, enhancing cross-divisional cooperation and information sharing, and ensuring cohesive, consistent processes and outputs. It also demands close coordination with stakeholders beyond BSP, including other HQ units, Field Offices, and external partners such as UN organizations, to advance UNESCO’s strategic objectives with a unified and impactful approach.
• Serve as the Secretariat of the Programme Coordination Group (PCG) by organizing forward agendas, collaborating with corporate units to prepare submission papers for deliberation, and documenting meeting outcomes. This role includes preparing detailed minutes, monitoring the implementation of Committee decisions, and ensuring follow-up to maintain alignment with UNESCO’s strategic objectives.
• Serve as the Secretariat of the Committee for the Review of High-Risk Projects (CRHRP) and other internal coordination bodies as assigned by DIR/BSP, ensuring proper review and decision-making. This includes following up on identified issues and risks, collaboration with relevant division/units in BSP as well as within the Programme Sectors and ensuring that risk mitigation measures are implemented effectively in collaboration with ADM/RCP and in compliance with UNESCO’s risk management frameworks.
• Lead the drafting and preparation of strategic and specialized deliverables in support of DIR/BSP, with input from, and consultation with, both divisions within BSP, Programme Services, Management