Head of Unit (Foresight and Intelligence)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : BSP 985

Grade : P-4

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) : 08-APR-2024

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

As part of the strengthening of the Organization’s strategic planning function, the Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP) is creating dedicated capacities for foresight, intelligence on the global aid environment and environmental scanning, to contribute to UNESCO’s programmatic positioning and partnership opportunities within the global development system, the changing landscape of development financing, and the broader reform efforts within the United Nations development system.

 

The incumbent will work closely with the Director of the Bureau of Strategic Planning (DIR/BSP) as part of her Directorate, as well as with the Director of the BSP Partnerships Division (DIR/BSP/DPA).  The role is transversal and cross-cutting, relevant to all parts and functions in BSP and therefore requires an in-depth knowledge and professional experience of UNESCO programmes, strategy, planning, results reporting/assessments, UN reform and inter-agency coordination, partnerships, donor engagement, resource mobilization. The role will support higher overall integration of BSP functions, as well as programmatic and strategic in-house coordination, notably through the provision of the Secretariat of the UNESCO Programme Coordination Group.

Long Description

Within this overall context, the incumbent will:

 

• Provide Directorate-level support and advice to DIR/BSP and DIR/BSP/DPA on strategic and transversal issues based on foresight, environmental scanning, and intelligence, and contribute to efforts to increase internal policy development and coherence in a changing operating context.
• Liaise with all parts of BSP in a cross-cutting fashion and ensure better integration of BSP functions (strategy, planning, monitoring, results reporting/organizational assessments, UN inter-agency coordination, partnerships, donor engagement, resource mobilization) through foresight, environmental scanning, and intelligence.
• Provide the Secretariat for the in-house Programme Coordination Group, to contribute to enhanced programmatic and strategic coordination and results delivery through internal information-sharing, anticipation, dialogue and proactive solutions development.
• Ensure the development of an environmental scanning approach within the Organization particularly for Programme Sectors, UNESCO Field Offices, and Category I institutes, and undertake substantive landscape analysis, forecasting, data collection and organization, and develop a range of tailor-made products (synthesized documents, key messages, position papers, and other tools) to support policy decisions, internal coherence, and propose and initiate policy responses.

Long Description

• Work closely with BSP partner focal points and monitor key trends in funding and developments in their political, economic, and social environment.
• Contribute, through the above, to informed decision-making and proactive identification of opportunities on broad donor trends in ODA, aid effectiveness, and financing for development to support an overall organizational approach to sustainable financing.
• Contribute to programme planning work of UNESCO (Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and Programme and Budget (C/5), regional and country level strategies by UNESCO Field Offices) as well as partnership-related processes and strategies with foresight, environmental scanning and intelligence on the global aid environment including by developing forward-looking content and methodologies.
• Support the coordination of engagements and activities and look for opportunities to strategically position UNESCO in ongoing global discussions on financing for development by working closely with Programme Sectors and with key stakeholders.
• Advance future-oriented and frontier normative work and identify opportunities for engagement in selected UN inter-agency groups under BSP’s responsibility including the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) workstream on 'Governance of new Global Goods: Duties to the Future,’ building inter alia on the UN system Common Principles on Future Generations, the HLCP working group on Internal Displacement, the Peacebuilding Coordination Group, contributing to the emerging post-2030 agenda, and related activities.
• Manage a small unit and ensure effective activity planning and management.
• Contribute to any additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the Bureau’s work. 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Professionalism (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) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, International Relations or related areas.

 

Work Experience

• At least  seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in the area of strategic planning, of which preferably three years acquired at the international level.
• Demonstrated experience in a high-level advisory role on strategic and transversal issues, informing programmatic and strategic positioning and providing decision-making support.
• Experience in UN coordination and future-oriented UNESCO/UN system work and understanding of opportunities for inter-agency collaboration and increased system-wide coherence.
• Experience in leveraging intelligence on the global aid environment and the development of new proposals/initiatives.
• Experience in drafting decision-guiding strategic documents, key messages, position papers, and other tools.

Skills/Competencies

• Expert-level knowledge of strategic planning and BSP policy areas (programme, strategy, planning, results reporting/assessments, UN reform and inter-agency coordination, partnerships, donor engagement, resource mobilization).
• Knowledge of UNESCO programmes and functions and the Organization’s positioning in UN global agendas.
• Robust knowledge of the ODA landscape, United Nations reform and the UN development cooperation landscape, global partner financing priorities, including forward-looking and future-oriented agendas and sustainable development financing trends.
• Proven ability to identify critical strategic issues, objectives, opportunities, and risks.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality, analytical strategic documents and reports.
• Excellent coordination, interpersonal, and advocacy skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to multi-task, manage competing priorities, and organize and prioritize workloads to meet established deadlines.

 

Languages 

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Work Experience

• Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building.
• Experience in UN common programming and planning processes.
• Demonstrated experience with UNESCO’s governance mechanisms, in particular its decision-making processes related to the Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and Programme and Budget (C/5).

 

Skills/Competencies

•  Good communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.

 

Languages

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

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 $ 119 932 .

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

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.

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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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