UNESCO Senior Programme Assistant Job with Annual Salary of € 53 842. Apply Now
UNESCO has reopened applications for the position of Senior Programme Assistant (Social and Human Sciences) in its Paris headquarters — an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about cultural dialogue, inclusion, and global cooperation. This one-year, fixed-term role (with potential for extension) is part of UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), supporting major programmes that promote intercultural understanding worldwide.
UNESCO Senior Programme Assistant Job with Annual Salary of € 53 842. Apply Now
The Purpose of the Role
A central focus of this position is supporting the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, a prestigious award that recognizes individuals or institutions making exceptional contributions to Arab art, culture, and heritage. The Prize promotes mutual understanding between cultures, a key pillar of UNESCO’s mission. The Senior Programme Assistant plays a pivotal role in the coordination, management, and delivery of all Prize-related activities.
The incumbent will work under the guidance of the Chief of the Inclusion, Rights and Intercultural Dialogue Section and closely with the Assistant Director-General for SHS. This makes the role both high-impact and highly visible within the organization
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Key Responsibilities
The duties of the Senior Programme Assistant are varied, dynamic, and essential to the success of the programme. They include:
1. Programme Coordination and Administrative Support
The selected candidate will act as the primary contact point for the Prize. Responsibilities include organizing meetings, ensuring smooth communication with jury members, donors, internal teams, and media partners, and managing day-to-day administrative tasks. The role also involves tracking key deadlines, preparing schedules, and advising senior staff on matters requiring action.
2. Managing the Prize Selection Process
A major element of this position is supporting the evaluation and selection of Prize candidates. This includes preparing evaluation sheets, conducting pre-screening, arranging translations, and coordinating with jury members. The Senior Programme Assistant will also draft the official call for applications and guide applicants using UNESCO’s submission systems.
3. Research, Documentation, and Report Preparation
The role requires strong writing and analytical skills. The candidate will prepare briefing notes, reports, speeches, and talking points for high-level audiences. They will also review documents for accuracy, consistency, and adherence to UNESCO’s formatting and editorial standards.
4. Liaison Functions and External Relations
As a key point of contact, the Senior Programme Assistant will receive high-level visitors, respond to sensitive inquiries, and collaborate with various UNESCO departments such as Legal Affairs, Strategic Planning, Communications, and Digital Business. Close coordination ensures seamless organization of activities and proper flow of information.
Qualifications and Competencies
To qualify, candidates must have:
- At least 10 years of administrative or secretarial experience.
- Strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills.
- Proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Excellent drafting and editing abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
- Excellent English and good French.
- Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset.
- Experience within the UN system or in international relations is desirable.
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Salary and Benefits
The position offers an annual starting salary of approximately €53,842, along with 30 days of annual leave, medical insurance, a pension plan, and additional allowances depending on eligibility. These benefits make the role not only professionally rewarding but also financially competitive.
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Application Timeline
Interested candidates must submit their application before the posting deadline. Only those legally eligible to work in France will be considered. The selection process may include written tests, interviews, and reference checks.
