Non-Staff Service Contract

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Hamburg

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 4

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 05 December 2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), located in Hamburg, Germany, operates under the UNESCO Education Sector with institutional autonomy guided by its Governing Board. UIL contributes to the achievement of SDG4 by promoting lifelong learning as a holistic, integrated approach across policy development, research, capacity-building, and monitoring.

One of UIL's flagship initiatives is the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), launched in 2013 to advance social cohesion, economic development and sustainability in urban contexts. Over its first decade, the network expanded significantly and established solid foundations for cooperation, knowledge exchange and peer learning among cities worldwide. Building on these achievements, the second decade will focus on accelerating progress toward excellence in lifelong learning at the local level, guided by the GNLC Strategy 2025–2027 and spearheaded by the UNESCO GNLC Academy, introduced during the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities.

The GNLC Academy will support member cities in achieving their development priorities by strengthening capacities and enhancing mechanisms to track progress. It will empower cities to become green, inclusive, resilient and thriving learning societies equipped to shape the future they aspire to. The Academy is organized around three interconnected pillars:

• Networking and high-level partnerships – providing strategic spaces for policy dialogue, mutual learning and recognition of exemplary practices;

• Capacity development – designing and delivering tailored learning opportunities and fostering systems thinking through the GNLC Academy Campus;

• Knowledge and innovation – generating actionable insights, forward-looking strategies and inclusive innovation, including through a Global Learning Cities Trends Report and thematic research such as lifelong learning for healthy ageing.

Under the authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, the Director of UIL and the direct supervision of the Team Leader, the incumbent will coordinate the development and implementation of the GNLC Academy across its three core components — networking and high-level partnerships, capacity development, and knowledge and innovation — including strengthening strategic partnerships and peer-learning mechanisms among cities, overseeing and coordinating capacity-development initiatives, and leading knowledge generation and innovation efforts, as well as managing workplans, resources, events and stakeholder engagement to ensure the Academy's visibility, relevance and impact.

Cluster programme coordination, development and implementation

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

Networking and High-Level Partnership Facilitation

• Facilitate cooperation and peer learning among cities through high-level policy dialogues, thematic exchanges, and engagement activities within and across regions, as well as at the global level.
• Identify, establish, and manage partnerships with relevant institutions, experts, networks, and donors.
• Lead resource mobilization efforts, including development and coordination of funding proposals and partnership agreements to support Academy initiatives.
• Maintain regular communication and collaboration with member cities and key stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate collaboration with strategic Chinese partners, ensuring effective communication, alignment of activities, and smooth implementation of joint initiatives.
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GRALE6 production and dissemination

Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Support cities in adapting and implementing global lifelong learning frameworks and policy instruments into local policies, strategies, and action plans.
• Design tailored capacity-building activities that respond to the strategic needs and priorities of member cities, ensuring alignment with the GNLC Academy objectives.
• Coordinate the implementation of capacity-building initiatives, including the organization of workshops, learning modules, and related materials, in collaboration with experts, facilitators, and city stakeholders.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of capacity-building initiatives and provide recommendations for improvement.

Knowledge and Innovation

• Lead and coordinate global efforts to strengthen the monitoring of lifelong learning in cities, including the development and refinement of indicators and methodologies to track progress.
• Coordinate the development of thematic knowledge products and innovation initiatives that respond to the priorities of the GNLC Academy and the needs of member cities.
• Guide the production of studies, reports, and publications, including coordinating UIL's flagship research project on lifelong learning for older adults, ensuring high analytical and editorial quality.
• Facilitate the translation of research and evidence into actionable tools, solutions, and policy guidance to support cities in advancing lifelong learning systems.

Partnership and Network building and management

Work Plan and Project Management

• Coordinate planning, implementation, and monitoring of GNLC Academy initiatives, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and resources are effectively managed.
• Prepare progress reports, briefing notes, and updates for senior management, funding partners and stakeholders.
• Track project outcomes using results-based management principles and provide analytical insights to inform decision-making.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C) Communication (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) -
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in adult education, lifelong learning, education policy, or a related field.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in designing, coordinating, and managing multi-stakeholder programmes or projects in lifelong learning, adult education, or related fields is required.
• A proven track record of mobilising resources, preparing successful project proposals for donors, and implementing multi-country or global programs or projects.
• The candidate should possess experience in leading research, policy analysis, or knowledge product development for international programmes.

Competencies / Skills

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to design, conduct, and synthesize research on complex social and education issues.
• Extensive experience leading and coordinating research on lifelong learning for older adults, including the ability to translate findings into policy recommendations and training modules.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to conceptualize, prepare, and present findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and coordinate international networks and partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange and peer learning across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines with minimal supervision and with strong integrity, accountability, tact, and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to manage a multicultural team with excellent interpersonal and effective managerial skills.

Languages

• EExcellent command of both written and spoken English and Chinese.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• PhD or equivalent in adult education, lifelong learning, education policy, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Evidence of leading and managing global-level studies, research projects, and knowledge production initiatives in lifelong learning, adult education, social development or related fields.
• Experience in supporting cities to implement global lifelong learning frameworks by translating them into locally actionable policies, strategies, and action plans.
• Experience working with international networks, city governance, or urban development initiatives including facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange among diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to translate research and knowledge into practical guidance, training modules, and instruments for policy and practice at the city level.

Languages

• Good mastery of another UNESCO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) is desirable.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc., for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted, and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

For more information in benefits and entitlements, please consult ICSC website.

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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. 

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