Associate Partnerships Officer

OVERVIEWPosition Number: DPA 022Grade: P-1/P-2Parent Sector: Division for Partnerships (DPA)Duty Station: ParisJob Family:  Programme CoordinationContract Type: Fixed TermDuration of contract: 2 years, renewableRecruitment open to:  Internal and external candidatesApplication deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 02/10/2026UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, ProfessionalismORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXTThe post is situated in the Grants and Resource Management (GRM) Section of the Division for Partnerships.

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The Division for Partnerships is responsible for coordinating UNESCO’s public and private partners including key interlocutors from bilateral donors, United Nations and multilateral organizations, regional institutions such as the European Union (EU) and regional banks, civil society, philanthropy, foundations and corporations.

It works to diversify and expand UNESCO’s donor base and provide backstopping and guidance to UNESCO Programme Sectors, Field Offices, and Category 1 Institutes in support of their efforts to engage with partners and mobilize resources.

The Division for Partnerships is responsible for the elaboration of strategies for partnership and resource mobilization, in line with UN reform and best practices in these areas.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSTThe Donor Due Diligence and Audits (DDA) Unit is responsible for: coordinating the due diligence process for private sector upstream partners thereby limiting the Organization's exposure to reputational risk; coordinating responses to donor assessments/questions thereby contributing to the Organization's resource mobilization efforts; and coordinating audit and verification of project funds.

In this capacity the DDA Unit proactively works with colleagues from the UNESCO Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Institutes, as well as with relevant central services.
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe Associate Partnerships Officer (Due Diligence) works under the direct supervision of the Head of the GRM Section and the overall responsibility of the Director of the Division for Partnerships.

The Associate Partnerships Officer (Due Diligence) will be responsible for preparing due diligence reports for private sector upstream partners and responding to donor assessment requests as well as providing support to Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Institutes undergoing audits and verification missions of projects funded by voluntary contributions.
Within this context, specific duties of the Associate Partnerships Officer (Due Diligence) will include:Due Diligence for private and business sector upstream partners:Maintain the system for recording, monitoring and updating requests for due diligence clearance received from Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Institutes.
Liaise with Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Institutes as needed to ensure the proper and timely functioning of the due diligence process (e.g.

soliciting additional information, responding to questions raised, etc.).
Prepare draft consultation letters to the National Commissions to inform them of potential cooperation between UNESCO and private sector entities registered in their countries and monitor responses.
Conduct online searches of potential private and business sector donor entities.
Prepare the first draft of the due diligence reports for review by the Head of Section.
Prepare communication and training material about DDA's services (due diligence guidelines and training material updates in line with the UN and best practices, as well as the online material).
Under the guidance of the Head of Section, preparedocuments and presentations for meetings of the Committee for the Review of High-Risk Projects.
Donor Assessments:Assist in the preparation of responses to assessment questions received from potential donors.
Maintain a database of frequently asked questions and responses.
Project audits and verifications:Under the guidance of the Head of Section, support Sectors/Field Offices/Institutes undergoing audits and verification missions of projects funded by voluntary contributions.
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)Short DescriptionFor detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSEDUCATIONAdvanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of finance, business administration, law, economics, accounting, audit or a related field.  A first-level university degree in the afore-mentioned fields, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
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