Director, Division of Strategic Planning and Intersectorality (DSI)

Organizational Context

The Division of Strategic Planning and Intersectorality (DSI) leads UNESCO's corporate strategic planning and programming. It promotes innovative approaches through foresight and acts as a laboratory of ideas, enhancing the Organization's strategic positioning within the UN inter-agency context. DSI aims to improve impact monitoring, reporting, programming tools, and standards, fostering coherent, intersectoral, and results-based program delivery to make UNESCO more agile and responsive.

Job Purpose

The Director of the Division of Strategic Planning and Intersectorality (DSI) is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Division, including its resources. This role involves coordinating strategic planning, programme monitoring, and intersectoral delivery across the elaboration, implementation, and reporting of UNESCO's overall strategy and programme. The Director ensures alignment with the Organization's Medium-Term Strategies, Programme and Budget, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Key responsibilities include promoting results-based management, strengthening project/programme implementation and monitoring, fostering intersectoral work, and providing strategic advice for joint UN programming processes.

Responsibilities

The Director is accountable for the overall management of the Division of Strategic Planning and Intersectorality and its resources. This includes ensuring the coordination of strategic planning, programme monitoring, and intersectoral delivery in the elaboration, implementation, and reporting of UNESCO's strategy and programme framework. The role involves coordinating corporate strategic planning processes throughout the budget cycle, including the preparation of the Medium-term Strategy and Programme and Budget. The Director will lead and promote a results-based management approach, strengthen project/programme implementation and monitoring through quality control mechanisms and modern tools, and foster intersectoral work across all UNESCO sectors. Additionally, the Director will contribute to reports for Governing Bodies, provide strategic advice for joint UN programming, participate in UN system inter-agency activities, and contribute to the Senior Management Team, offering advice to the Director-General. Sound financial and team management in line with UNESCO standards is also a key responsibility.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience is required in strategic planning, programme development and management, coordination, and evaluation. This experience should include substantial regional and/or international assignments, exposure to international cooperation, and demonstrated experience in reform initiatives and change management leadership. Experience in complex negotiations and representing organizations at the international level is also necessary.

Skills

Strong managerial and leadership skills are essential, along with high objectivity, analytical capabilities, professional integrity, and diplomacy. The ability to exercise intellectual authority and leadership, coupled with strong strategic and analytical drafting skills, is crucial. A good understanding of results-based management principles and proven ability to develop and coordinate large complex programmes are required. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with strong representational abilities, are also necessary.

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