ASSOCIATE DESK OFFICER (EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA DESK)

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information and the Director ERI/MSP, and the direct supervision of the Senior Desk Officer (Europe and North America region), the incumbent of the post will contribute to strengthening UNESCO’s cooperation with the Member States, National Commissions, as well as regional and sub-regional organizations in the Region. More specifically, the incumbent will\:

• Contribute to preparation of analytical and briefing notes on UNESCO's cooperation with concerned Member States of the region for the Director-General's bilateral meetings and official visits, in consultation with the concerned units of the Secretariat.
• Provide timely briefings in reaction to events which might affect the political situation in the Member States of the region and prepare proposals for appropriate follow-up action on the part of the Director-General; Prepare Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and assess the actual and potential political impact of regional, sub-regional and national issues within UNESCO's fields of competence. Update country profiles data in website.
• Contribute to the promotion of cooperation with National Commissions and related networks and participate in the implementation of the capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening the knowledge and skills of staff members of National Commissions.
• Act as focal point/front desk for dealing with a wide range of issues referred to by Member States, Permanent Delegations, Representatives to the Executive Board and officials of National Commissions and provide timely, accurate and specific response to their queries.
• Participate in the organization of meetings between the Director-General and the representatives of UNESCO Member States of the region as required. Analyse files and correspondence from Programme Sectors to assess their political sensitivity and defer potential issues to the supervisor. Prepare contributions to the Director-General reports to the Executive Board and General Conference, and contribute as required, to the speeches and messages of the Director-General addressed to Member States in the region.
• Contribute to establishing and maintaining close working relationships with representatives of Member States of the region, notably with UNESCO Permanent Delegates, Representatives of the Executive Board and officials of National Commissions.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent degree) in the field of International Relations, Political science, Law or in other related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Good organizational and analytical skills including demonstrated ability to provide advice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of the Europe and North America region’s geopolitics.
• Very good written and oral communication skills with ability to draft clearly and concisely and to produce quality briefings.
• Proven ability to communicate, advocate, and exchange with colleagues, staff and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Sense of diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• Good IT skills including knowledge of standard office software and web content with capacity to update website.

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

Education

• Training or diploma in geopolitics of the Europe and North America region.

Work Experience

• Experience in the preparation of factual and substantive briefing notes.
• Work experience in UN or international organizations.

Skills/Competencies

• Capacity to actively participate in building and strengthening relations with Member States and partners.
• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the UN system.

Languages

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