Social and Human Sciences Programme Officer (Hanoi, Vietnam) contract

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Hanoi

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 4

Duration of contract (with possibility of extension upon performance and fund availability): From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Hanoi Time) : 03-Dec-2024

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

Level of the post: SC-9.

The Social and Human Sciences unit of the UNESCO Hanoi Office is mandated to promote and advance social inclusion, diversity, youth’s participation, gender equality, and ethical standards related to new technologies in Viet Nam, in cooperation with the regional office in Bangkok and the regional SHS advisor. Against a backdrop of rapid modernization and urbanization, multifaceted social transformation, and increasing social inequalities in Vietnam and the region, UNESCO seeks to harness the unique power of the Social and Human Sciences to develop relevant approaches to supporting evidence-based policy formulation, managing diversity, building sustainable peace and social cohesion, and promoting rights and ethics in the areas of science and technology.

The Programme Officer will work under the immediate and daily supervision of the Head of Office, and in close coordination with the SHS Regional Advisor in Bangkok. A work-plan will be prepared jointly. The incumbent will consult with his/her supervisor on a weekly basis to evaluate progress. A monthly meeting will be organized with the Head of Office and the SHS regional advisor in Bangkok.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Programme Officer will be to closely support the Head of Office by contributing to the design and implementation of SHS interventions through comprehensive context analysis, programming, and partnership building including within the UN system. Her/his intellectual contribution as well as sense of initiative will be key in consolidating and expanding UNESCO’s SHS programme in Vietnam.

Within this context, the Programme Officer will be responsible for:

• Taking part in deploying the SHS Sector’s Position paper (2023) in Vietnam, whereby UNESCO will harness the distinct power of the Humanities and Social Sciences in understanding the social transformations of our time, and in building inclusive, empowering, and peaceful societies in Vietnam in order to tackle global changes, dismiss fear and discriminations, and achieve the 2030 Agenda. This includes enriching and refining concept notes, mapping and liaising with the potential partners in Vietnam;
• Supporting advancement of better governance of AI, through the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This involves supporting the national deployment of AI Readiness Assessments in Vietnam, identifying strategic opportunities, expanding networks and contacts, and developing and executing work plans.

• Contributing to develop projects and partnerships in support of policy dialogue, implementation of norms, and capacity-building in the areas of Ethics of AI and Ethics of Climate Change;
• Supporting programming on and mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Studies and Social Inclusion in SHS interventions, with a particular focus on addressing intersectional discrimination, gender-based violence and patriarchal norms, human rights and management of diversity;
• Analysing and compiling background data for potential partnerships and fundraising events and opportunities.
• Supporting UNESCO Hanoi Office and corporate communication by drafting and generating brochures, leaflets, social media content and other visual, online and written communication and information materials.
• Assisting resource mobilization efforts by preparing specific inputs for the development of concept notes, and project and funding proposals on the basis of available situational analysis and needs assessments and in accordance with the C/5.
• Making inputs to UN Joint initiatives and discussions in the Vietnam UNCT, and assisting the Head of Officer to position in UN joint programmes that are of aligned with UNESCO SHS’ fields of competences;
• Taking part in organizing events in Vietnam, finalizing publications, coordinating with the main partners and stakeholders on the ground.

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences and Humanities, gender, philosophy, sociology, history, or related field. 

Work experience:  

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience performing a similar technical and coordination functions in the area of Social and Human Sciences or other related fields, at the national and/or sub-regional level
• Experience in working in the implementation of national and/or sub-regional projects in the area of social and human sciences
• Proven experience in working with the national institutions and government in Viet Nam
• Proven experience in the negotiation, implementation and monitoring of extra budgetary projects and designing funding proposals.

Competencies and skills:

• Good analytical skills
• Good organizational and project design skills
• Excellent (oral and written) communication skills, including the ability to draft and produce a variety of written material in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English and Vietnamese is a requirement.

The programmes in which the Programme Officer will contribute to have an interdisciplinary character and include the following learning elements:

• General professional skills: Specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities in a UN Organization; on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview and communication skills, diplomacy, etc.
• Programming and institutional skills: Programme design and implementation of international development work; budget design and monitoring; knowledge of the UN system and Reform on the ground; abilities to engage and build partnership with the national and regional stakeholders including government and CSOs.
• Technical skills: Analytical skills in understanding the socioeconomic and cultural contexts of South-East Asia, participatory methods for the inclusion, training skills for capacity building of social policy officers in Members States, advisory skills on ethical standards in relation to scientific and technological development, and interdisciplinary skills and collaboration with different agencies and sectors;
• Inter-personal skills: communication, presentation and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management; leadership; civic responsibility; engagement and active participation.