Assistant Director-General for Sciences (Readvertisement)

OVERVIEW Position Number : [[positionNumber]] Grade : [[PositionGrade_object]] Parent Sector : Sciences Sector (SCS) Duty Station : [[dutyStation_object]] Job Family : Sciences Contract Type : [[ContractType]] Duration of contract : [[DurationContract]] Recruitment open to : [[RecruitmentOpen]] Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : [[ClosingDate1]] UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386038 ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT In response to the increasing interdependence of environmental, technological and societal systems, UNESCO will pursue a forward-looking process aimed at strengthening the coherence and positioning of its scientific mandate. The evolving global landscape for sciences, characterized by accelerated technological change, complex sustainability challenges and growing demands for science-informed responsible governance, calls for closer alignment between natural, basic, and social and human sciences. The Sciences Sector will enhance UNESCO’s capacity to deliver science-based, integrated, policy-relevant and ethically grounded solutions, while advancing action on innovation and capacity building. This will be done with full respect and preservation of the mandates, intergovernmental programmes and normative instruments adopted by Member States. Long Description The Sciences Sector plays a central role in advancing UNESCO’s mission to build peace and sustainable development through promotion of sciences, knowledge and innovation. Its mandate is to strengthen science, technology and innovation (STI) systems at national, regional, and global levels, promote international scientific cooperation across scientific fields, and harness the transformative power of social and human sciences, technologies and innovation to address the world’s most pressing challenges and the complexity of social transformations – from climate change and biodiversity loss to water security and disaster resilience, from promotion of human rights and social inclusion to equitable access to knowledge and ethical technological advancements, including artificial intelligence. Through major intergovernmental programmes, committees and standard-setting instruments – including inter alia Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme, the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC) and related scientific committees, the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), the International Convention for the Elimination of Doping in Sport, and the International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP) – the Sector mobilizes global scientific networks and knowledge to shape and inform policy and action. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST Under the authority of the Director-General, the Assistant Director-General for Sciences is responsible for providing intellectual leadership and strategic vision for the Sciences Sector in line with the Organization’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029 document (41 C/4) and the decisions of the governing bodies. To this end, the Assistant Director-General for Sciences is responsible for the overall implementation of Major Programme II (Natural Sciences) and Major Programme III (Social and Human Sciences), approved by UNESCO's governing bodies, including for its category 1 institute (the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics). Long Description The mission of the Sciences Sector is to harness natural, basic, social and human sciences as a transformative force for sustainability, human rights, gender equality, peace, and equity by integrating the best and all available forms of knowledge, technology, ethical reflection, governance, and inclusive, intercultural dialogue across disciplines, knowledge systems and worldviews, and strengthening the link between scientific frontiers and societal relevance underpinned by research and supported by evidence-based policy for development. KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Assistant Director-General for Sciences will: Advance UNESCO’s initiatives and measurable impact across key sciences domains, including Social Policies and Inclusion; Ethics, Research and Technology; Ecological and Earth Sciences; and Water Sciences. Strengthen policies and governance related to sciences, technology and innovation and increase access to scientific and technological advances and knowledge-sharing, through open sciences approaches, as well as reinforced science-policy-society interface, with a view to achieving ethical, sustainable and inclusive development through knowledge production and sharing and capacity building. Empower Member States to manage the ethical, legal, environmental and societal implications of sciences, technology and innovation, including cutting-edge science, emerging technologies and their applications, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and neuro-technologies. Monitor global trends and developments in the different scientific fields and their contributions to solving global challenges and social transformations, while operating in an innovative, creative, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary manner. Promote knowledge and building of human and institutional capacities as regards natural, basic, social and human sciences, fostering responsible technological advancements and scientific research across social, human, environmental, water and Earth sciences. Long Description Foster international scientific cooperation at the service of society to address the complexity of social transformations, Earth systems, biodiversity, disaster risk reduction, climate change mitigation and freshwater security. Develop comprehensive and integrated actions with UNESCO’s global networks of designated sites (biosphere reserves, UNESCO Global Geoparks and ecohydrology sites), UNESCO centres and Chairs in both major programmes. Reinforce links with global and regional scientific associations and institutions. Promote the integration of a human rights-based approach in all of UNESCO’s programmes and activities. Support youth-policy development, youth action, and civic engagement. Promote intercultural dialogue. Long Description Advance intergovernmental cooperation and building multi-stakeholder public policies in the field of sports and anti-doping. Strengthen the philosophy and humanities programme, the debate of ideas, as well as the General History of Africa, as well as the Routes of Enslaved Peoples, and Silk Roads programmes. Mobilize partnerships and extrabudgetary resources, fostering collaboration with Member States, international organizations, academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector. Foster innovation and foresight in the sciences, ensuring UNESCO remains a global laboratory of ideas in response to emerging challenges. Represent the Director-General and UNESCO in high-level international fora and intergovernmental meetings, strengthening UNESCO’s visibility, influence, and thought leadership. . For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: https://www.unesco.org/en , and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029) and 43 C/5 (Draft UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 quadrennium). 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) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Strategic thinking (M) Ma