UNESCO is hiring an Associate Project Officer (Education Finance) in Paris. Learn about the qualifications, salary, responsibilities, eligibility, benefits, and how to apply for this United Nations opportunity.
UNESCO has opened applications for an Associate Project Officer (Education Finance) position within its International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in Paris, France. This international professional opportunity is ideal for early-career professionals with expertise in education finance, public financial management, economics, and policy analysis.
The role is offered at the P-2 Professional level under a one-year project appointment, with applications accepted until 12 August 2026.
Position Overview
- Position: Associate Project Officer (Education Finance)
- Grade: P-2 (International Professional)
- Organization: UNESCO – International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
- Duty Station: Paris, France
- Contract Type: Project Appointment
- Contract Duration: 1 year
- Application Deadline: 12 August 2026 (Midnight Paris Time)
- Recruitment: Open to internal and external candidates
About UNESCO IIEP
The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) supports governments and education partners around the world in strengthening education policy, planning, financing, and management. Through technical assistance, research, training, and knowledge sharing, IIEP works to improve education systems globally and recently launched its 2026–2029 Medium-Term Strategy.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to technical cooperation projects focused on education financing and public financial management. Responsibilities include:
- Supporting Ministries of Education with education financing, costing, budgeting, and public expenditure reviews.
- Conducting education finance analyses and developing financial simulation models and costed operational plans.
- Supporting the integration of gender, equity, and climate change considerations into education planning and budgeting.
- Assisting with research, capacity development, and training activities related to education finance.
- Developing training materials and analytical tools.
- Contributing to public dialogue and networking on education financing.
- Supporting collaboration with governments, donors, and development partners across UNESCO’s offices.
Required Qualifications
Education
Applicants must possess:
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in:
- Economics
- Statistics
- Public Policy
- Public Finance
- Or a related field
Professional Experience
Candidates should have:
- At least two years of relevant professional experience, preferably including one year at the international level.
- Experience working with Ministries of Education or Finance on education financing and public financial management.
- Experience in one or more of the following:
- Education finance analysis
- Costing and projections
- Public Financial Management (PFM)
- Financial modelling
- Budget planning and reporting
- Technical assistance for education sector financing
- Gender-responsive budgeting and analysis using sex-disaggregated data.
Required Skills
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Knowledge of education financing in developing or emerging countries.
- Understanding of education planning and management.
- Ability to design and deliver training programmes.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Experience with statistical software such as:
- STATA
- R
- Python
- Excellent project management skills.
Language Requirements
Required:
- Excellent English (written and spoken)
Desirable:
- Working knowledge of French.
Salary and Benefits
UNESCO indicates an approximate annual starting salary of:
EUR 85,974
Additional benefits may include:
- 30 days of annual leave
- Medical insurance
- Pension plan
- Family allowance (where applicable)
- Other UNESCO staff entitlements.
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process may include:
- Online application review
- Written assessments
- Pre-recorded video interviews
- Panel interviews
- Reference checks
Applicants may also be considered for UNESCO Talent Pools if they consent during the recruitment process.
Why Apply?
This position offers the opportunity to:
- Work within the United Nations system.
- Contribute to strengthening education systems worldwide.
- Support governments in improving education financing and planning.
- Collaborate with international development partners.
- Gain experience in global education policy and public financial management.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official UNESCO Careers portal before 12 August 2026. Applications must be complete at the time of submission, as they cannot be modified afterward.
Final Thoughts
The UNESCO Associate Project Officer (Education Finance) vacancy is a strong opportunity for professionals interested in international development, education policy, and public finance. With a competitive salary, international exposure, and the chance to contribute to education systems globally, this P-2 position provides an excellent entry point into a professional career within the United Nations.
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