Associate HR Officer (HR Partnerships)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: HRM 204

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector: Bureau of Human Resources Management (HRM)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Human Resources

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 26/10/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Bureau of Human Resources Management leads and coordinates the implementation of UNESCO’s Human Resources Strategy, providing strategic HR support to management and personnel across the Organization. It develops and facilitates the implementation of HR policies, programmes and initiatives aimed at fostering a diverse, highly skilled and committed workforce, while ensuring the effective delivery of essential HR services to support UNESCO’s mandate and the well-being of its workforce.

Within this framework, UNESCO’s HR Partnerships contribute to complementing the Organization’s core workforce while fostering knowledge sharing, learning and capacity-building opportunities. They also support the development of networks and reinforce cooperation between UNESCO and a wide range of partners, including Member States and donor countries. HR Partnerships encompass a range of arrangements, including the Junior Professional Officers (JPO) programme, loans and secondments, stand-by agreements, sponsored traineeships and volunteer programmes.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Chief of the Talent Acquisition and Outreach Section, the Associate HR Officer (HR Partnerships) contributes to the implementation and day-to-day management of UNESCO's HR partnerships activities.

The Associate HR Officer (HR Partnerships) assists in providing HR services for existing HR partnerships, including sponsored traineership programme, Junior Professional ‎Officers (JPOs) programme, secondments and loans. The position contributes to the effective delivery of HR partnerships modalities and to a positive employee ‎experience across the employee lifecycle, ensuring alignment with organizational policies, procedures, and ‎partnership frameworks.‎

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

More specifically, the Associate HR Officer (HR Partnerships) will:

1. HR Partnerships Support and Coordination

• Collect and analyze the proposals submitted by the Sectors/Bureaux and Field Offices.
• Support the administration of HR partnerships modalities, including their deployment. ‎
• Assist in maintaining working relationships with donor counterparts, responding to routine inquiries and ensuring timely communication. ‎
• Assist in coordination of the administrative, financial, and contractual processes related to HR partnerships modalities with ‎relevant internal services. ‎‎

Long Description

2. Employee Lifecycle Support for Sponsored Personnel

• ‎Assist in coordinating the recruitment, selection, and placement processes of sponsored personnel in ‎collaboration with the relevant HR teams. ‎
• Liaise with the selected candidates to provide consistent, timely and complete information and ‎documentation, and guide them through the appropriate procedures and processes and organize ‎briefings and ‎induction on UNESCO upon their appointment in the Organization. ‎‎
• Contribute to contract administration, extensions, and separation processes in line with ‎applicable rules and procedures.‎

Long Description

3. Agreements Management

• ‎Contribute to drafting new partnerships agreements to be established with external donors such as academic ‎institutions, national entities, private sector and ensure follow up ‎thereafter.
• Contribute to reviewing and amending, as required, HR partnerships agreements.‎

Long Description

4. Ongoing Support and Development

• ‎Collaborates with HRM's Learning and Development Team to identify learning and ‎development opportunities aligned with both the Organization’s needs and donor ‎objectives.‎
• Tracks performance and development milestones and addresses any performance ‎shortcomings offering tailored support.‎
• Establishes regular check-ins to assess job satisfaction, gather feedback, and address any ‎challenges they face.‎

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of human resources management, business or public administration, organizational development, law, social sciences or any other related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of human resources management, talent acquisition and development or related areas, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.

Long Description

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate.
• High sense of objectivity and professional integrity, diplomacy and political sensitivity, confidentiality, tact and discretion.
• Proven coordination, planning and organizational skills, including the ability to establish and follow plans and priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to produce quality documents and reports/briefings.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a client-focused approach, including the ability to build trust-based relationships with colleagues at all levels and with external partners.
• Ability to work effectively within tight deadlines, to deal with complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to work in a team and to establish/maintain positive and effective working relationship in a multicultural environment, with respect for diversity.

Long Description

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of (English or French) and working knowledge of the second language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Certification/courses/training diploma in disciplines/fields relevant to the post.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in staffing and recruitment function, in an international/multilateral entity.
• Experience in supporting change management programmes.

Long Description

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of recruitment techniques.
• Expertise in multi-functional collaboration and/or project management.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian 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 is US$ 87 095.

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

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 to 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.