GUIDELINES TO APPLICANTS FOR VACANCIES AT UNESCO SECRETARIAT

When applying for an advertised post in UNESCO, please provide a structured application in accordance with these guidelines.

I - Essential information

In order to ensure an equitable geographical and gender balance in the Secretariat, all other things being equal, priority will be given to candidates coming from under-represented and non-represented Member States and to women.

When deciding whether to submit an application, read carefully the qualifications and experience required in the Vacancy Notice. Candidates should only consider submitting an application if they fully satisfy all of the requirements.

Please ensure that the post number and the title of the post for which you wish to be considered are clearly indicated in the front page of your application. If you wish to apply for more than one position, a separate application for each advertised post should be submitted. Please do not send general applications.

Note that an incomplete application risks your candidature not being considered.

Please make sure your application is sent to the following address:

Chief of the Recruitment Section
Bureau of Personnel
UNESCO
7, place de Fontenoy F-75352 Paris 07 SP
France

II - How to apply

A complete application consists of :

• A cover letter

• A Curriculum Vitae (UNESCO’s Curriculum Vitae form and/or free Curriculum Vitae)

• Documents you should add in support of your application (e.g. certified copies of diplomas, certificates).

III Cover letter

Please explain, in a concise statement not exceeding one page why you consider yourself qualified for the position for which you are applying and how your qualifications, experience and skills relate to the requirements of the position stipulated in the Vacancy Notice.

IV Curriculum Vitae

a) "UNESCO Curriculum Vitae form" [Word]

When submitting this form, you are requested to complete in full all sections, to sign and date your application.

Note that this form may also be obtained at UNESCO Headquarters or from:

• the National Commission for UNESCO in your home country;

• any established UNESCO office away from Headquarters;

• any office of a United Nations Resident Co-ordinator and/or Resident Representative of UNDP.

b) Free Curriculum Vitae

If a "UNESCO Curriculum Vitae form" is not available, you should submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae ensuring that all the following information is provided:

1. Personal data

• Family name, Forename and Maiden name (if applicable)

• Address (permanent and present mailing address if different)

• Country, city including postal code and region/state (if applicable)

• Telephone/Facsimile/E-mail address (Please indicate if the numbers/the address may be used for confidential communications)

• Date of birth

• Nationality/Nationalities (Please indicate all nationalities held)

• Gender, marital status

• Dependants (indicate name, date of birth, relationship)

2. Education

List the degree(s) and specialisation(s), indicating the date (in reverse chronological order), the name and location of the institution where the degree was obtained.

3. Professional experience

Provide an overview of your work history (in reverse chronological order) describing the duties carried out and demonstrate your expertise.

4. Languages

List the languages with which you are familiar, beginning with your mother tongue, indicating the level of your knowledge as:

• excellent and good for working knowledge (with working knowledge of a language you will be expected to work independently, using the language to prepare written documents, to participate actively in work-related discussions);

• fair and slight for limited knowledge (with limited knowledge of a language you will be able to follow discussions and meetings).

5. Publications

List but do not attach your publications, including publisher, date and place of publication.

6. Computer skills

Indicate any software you can use (i.e. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet etc.)

7. Personal references

Indicate three referees (with complete addresses and telephone numbers) who know you well and are in position to provide information on your professional achievements.

8. Other

Limit your Curriculum Vitae to 4 pages maximum.

Indicate if any of your relatives are employed by any organization of the United Nations system. If so, please provide the name of the person, the relationship and the name of the organization.

Indicate any restrictions which you consider should be taken into account in connection with your employment with UNESCO.

Please ensure that your Curriculum Vitae is signed, dated and includes the following statement:

"I certify that the statements made in this Curriculum Vitae are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorise the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to verify the information provided by me in this Curriculum Vitae."

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