Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to East African States

• The incumbent will supervise the Heads of UNESCO National Offices in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Dar es-Salaam (United Republic of Tanzania), and Juba (South Sudan).
• The core result, for which the incumbent will be responsible, is the positioning of UNESCO as a trusted development partner in the countries covered by the Office (Kenya, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania) promoting integrated sub-regional approaches. Other results are the establishment and implementation of the multidisciplinary programme of the Office in close cooperation with the wider United Nations system; the effective and efficient management of the Office’s operations, resources, premises and assets; and the establishment and implementation of robust external relations and partnerships, including with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
• Moreover, the incumbent will participate, or ensure participation of the Office, in the activities of the United Nations at the national level in Kenya and in countries covered by the Office as well as at the regional level.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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, or related field.

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.

Long Description

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.

Long Description

Languages

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages (English or French) of the Organization and ability to work in the second language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Courses/degree/training in a management-related field.

Work Experience

• Experience in the field of international relations and diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, development.

Long Description

Skills & Competencies

• Broad general culture, good geopolitical knowledge of the region and sound analytic capacities.
• Proven leadership and demonstrated managerial skills combined with flexibility.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to take initiative and maintain effective working relationships with partners of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of the United Nations system.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).