Deputy Director / Director General for Culture – UNESCO – Paris ( France )
Full Time @UNESCO posted 1 month ago in AdministrationJob Detail
-
Experience 15 Years +
-
Gender Both
-
Vacancy Number CLT 001
-
Education Level Masters Degree
-
No of Vacancies N/A
-
Grade Level/Post Level ADG
-
Contract Duration 2 years, renewable
-
Required Language English or French
-
Hiring For UNESCO
-
Age Requirement 18+
-
Recruitment Type N/A
-
Required Field of Study culture
-
Post Number N/A
Job Description
Position number: CLT 001
Class: ADG
Supervisory sector: Cultural sector (CLT)
Duty station: Paris
Job Family: Administration
Contract type: Fixed-term commitment
Contract duration: 2 years, renewable
Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates
Application deadline (midnight Paris time): 02-JAN-2026
UNESCO’s core values: Commitment to the Organization, integrity, respect for diversity, professionalism
JOB DUTIES SUMMARY
The Culture Sector plays a vital role in UNESCO’s mission to promote culture, heritage, and creativity as a global public good and a key driver of sustainable economic and social development, a source of knowledge and resilience, and a vehicle for dialogue and cooperation. It assists Member States in implementing UNESCO’s six cultural conventions as platforms for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, helping to address the challenges posed by conflict, climate change, and natural disasters in the cultural sphere.
Under the authority of the Director-General, the Assistant Director-General for Culture provides strategic leadership, intellectual vision, and overall oversight of the management of UNESCO’s Culture Sector (Major Programme IV). The incumbent is responsible for formulating and implementing the Sector’s overall strategy, ensuring that UNESCO maintains its role as a global leader in the field of culture.
Working closely with the other Assistant Directors-General, the incumbent promotes cross-sectoral collaboration, ensuring that culture is fully integrated into the implementation of UNESCO’s entire programme, particularly with regard to education, science, communication and information.
The Deputy Director General for Culture will be responsible for:
- to provide strategic direction and guidance in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the strategy, policies and programs of the Cultural Sector, as approved by the governing bodies;
- to promote the role of culture, heritage and creativity as drivers of sustainable social and economic development, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
- to direct the implementation of UNESCO conventions and other normative instruments relating to culture, by assisting Member States in translating global frameworks into concrete actions at the national level and by strengthening international cooperation;
- to oversee the protection, conservation and transmission of cultural heritage;
- to promote creativity and diversity of cultural expressions, by strengthening cultural and creative industries as drivers of inclusive growth and innovation;
- Increase the contribution of the Culture Sector to conflict prevention, crisis response and recovery efforts, ensuring that culture and heritage are protected in emergency situations and taken into account in humanitarian and peacebuilding strategies;
- to establish and maintain high-level partnerships with Member States, United Nations entities, development banks, the private sector and philanthropic organizations in order to extend the reach and impact of the Sector’s activities;
- to promote innovation and knowledge sharing, by anticipating emerging trends and putting digital technologies at the service of cultural preservation and access to culture;
- represent the Director-General and UNESCO in high-level international forums and intergovernmental meetings, striving to increase UNESCO’s visibility, influence and intellectual leadership in the field of culture;
- to ensure effective management and accountability, by promoting a culture of performance, transparency and diversity throughout the Sector.
For further information concerning the specific programmes mentioned above, candidates may consult our website ( https://fr.unesco.org/ ) and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029) and 43 C/5 (Proposed Programme and Budget of UNESCO for the Quadrennial Period 2026-2029).
SKILLS (Core / Managerial)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Formation
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a discipline related to the field of culture.
Professional experience
- At least fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience at increasing levels of responsibility, acquired in management/responsibility positions directly related to UNESCO’s Culture Programme, including assignments at regional and/or international levels.
- Proven leadership experience in the development and implementation of international policies, programs or frameworks in culturally related fields.
- Proven experience in leading large, diverse teams and managing organizational transformation, including change management and strategic planning.
- Solid experience in representing an organization and in effectively collaborating with high-level government and/or international officials.
Skills & Competencies
- Knowledge of and adherence to UNESCO’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
- Ability to lead in an assertive and innovative manner, as well as to formulate a compelling vision of the role of culture.
- Keen political sense and fine diplomatic skills to effectively represent UNESCO and engage with high-level stakeholders.
- Proven ability to lead institutional transformation, manage change and foster a culture of responsibility, diversity and performance.
- Proven ability to interact effectively at the highest levels of government, as well as with private sector and civil society leaders, to mobilize resources and to establish partnerships and collaborative networks with and between diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills and a clear aptitude for representational roles.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge of one of the Organization’s working languages (English or French) and excellent writing skills in that language.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Formation
- Doctoral level degree in the field of culture or other related field.
Professional experience
- Understanding and knowledge of UNESCO’s strategic objectives, as well as broader processes across the United Nations system.
LANGUAGES
- Practical knowledge of the second working language (English or French).
- Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian).
WAGES AND ALLOWANCES
UNESCO salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include, where applicable: 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension scheme, etc.
The starting annual salary for this position is approximately US$246,506.
For more information on salaries and benefits, please see our Staff Salary and Benefits Guide .
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all applicants must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website . No changes can be made to the submitted application.
Candidate evaluation is based on the criteria of the job vacancy notice and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconferencing, email correspondence, etc. for the evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and that candidates at the final selection stage will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
UNESCO reiterates that the overriding consideration in staff recruitment must be the need to secure for the Organization the services of individuals possessing the highest work ethic, competence, and integrity. UNESCO has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and maintaining equitable and diverse geographical representation, as well as gender parity, among its staff members in all categories and at all levels. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving staff diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Applications from nationals of non- and under-represented Member States (please click here for the latest update ) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged. Individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, are also encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Global mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
