Apply Today! UNESCO Project Assistant – South Africa (2025)

Introduction

UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – continues to play a pivotal role in advancing global peace and development through culture, education, science, and communication. In alignment with its global mandate, UNESCO has launched an inspiring new project titled “Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Promoting Culture and Heritage-based Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa.”

This initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), seeks to promote cultural and heritage-based sustainable tourism in six countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The project emphasizes regional integration, sustainable development, and the preservation of cultural diversity — fostering deeper connections between communities and enhancing livelihoods through heritage-centered tourism.

To ensure the successful delivery of this ambitious programme, UNESCO seeks a highly organized, proactive, and results-driven Project Assistant to join its Culture Unit in Pretoria, South Africa.

This role offers a remarkable opportunity for a motivated professional to contribute to a meaningful regional initiative, gain hands-on experience in international project coordination, and collaborate with key partners across Southern Africa and Europe.

About UNESCO

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a mandate to build peace through education, science, culture, and communication. Its mission is grounded in promoting intellectual and moral solidarity among nations, protecting heritage, advancing freedom of expression, and fostering sustainable development.

In Africa, UNESCO focuses on empowering youth, protecting cultural heritage, and strengthening education and science systems. The organization’s Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), based in Pretoria, coordinates efforts across multiple countries to address the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.

The Culture Sector (CLT) within UNESCO works to safeguard cultural heritage, support creative industries, and harness culture as a driver for sustainable economic and social development.

Project Overview: Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture

The Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture project is a collaborative effort aimed at bridging cultural and economic connections between the two continents through sustainable cultural tourism.

The initiative’s goals include:

Promoting heritage-based tourism as a sustainable development tool.
Supporting local creative and cultural industries.
Strengthening regional integration and cooperation among Southern African countries.
Encouraging responsible travel that celebrates local culture, history, and identity.
Building bridges between communities in Southern Africa and fostering mutual understanding through shared heritage.

By promoting authentic cultural experiences, the project seeks to enhance economic opportunities for local communities, empower creative professionals, and ensure that tourism development respects and preserves cultural and natural assets.

Position Summary: Project Assistant

The Project Assistant will play a central role in ensuring the smooth administrative and logistical operation of the project across the six participating countries.

Working under the supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit and the Regional Director for Southern Africa, the incumbent will provide vital support to the Project Coordinator and the Project Communication and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer.

This position is based in Pretoria, South Africa, and is open only to South African nationals.

The selected candidate will be part of a dynamic, multicultural team, collaborating with government authorities, EU delegations, community stakeholders, and UNESCO partners across the region.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

As Project Assistant, your primary responsibility will be to ensure the effective implementation, coordination, and documentation of project activities. You will contribute to project success by providing administrative, operational, and logistical support in the following areas:

1. Administrative and Project Coordination Support

Provide direct administrative support to the Project Coordinator and other project officers.
Facilitate the coordination of project activities across the six participating countries.
Ensure effective communication between the UNESCO Regional Office, EU partners, and national stakeholders.
Draft correspondence, maintain records, and assist in the preparation of project documentation.

2. Event and Meeting Organization

Assist in planning and organizing project events, including meetings, workshops, and conferences.
Coordinate logistics for participants — including travel, accommodation, and venue arrangements.
Prepare agendas, registration lists, and supporting materials.
Take detailed minutes during meetings to ensure accurate recordkeeping.

3. Contract and Procurement Management

Draft Terms of Reference (TORs) for consultants and service providers.
Track contracts to ensure deliverables and payments are completed on schedule.
Process payment requests and follow up to guarantee timely disbursement of funds.
Maintain a systematic database for monitoring all project-related contracts and procurements.

4. Partner and Stakeholder Liaison

Maintain regular communication with implementing partners to ensure timely submission of work plans and budgets.
Support collaboration between government departments, community organizations, and other cultural stakeholders.
Report on progress and identify delays or challenges to supervisors in a timely manner.

5. Communication and Visibility Support

Assist with the production of communication materials, including press releases, brochures, and digital content.
Support visibility campaigns to promote project outcomes.
Contribute to maintaining an updated online presence and visual documentation of activities.

6. Information and File Management

Maintain both electronic and paper records of project activities in accordance with UNESCO’s record management policies.
Ensure all project files are organized for easy retrieval and audit purposes.

7. Additional Responsibilities

Provide logistical and administrative support for project missions and field visits.
Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor to ensure project efficiency.

Required Qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary education, technical, or vocational training.
Additional coursework or certification in project management, business administration, or a related field is an asset.

Experience

Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in project management, administration, or development work.
Experience working in multicultural or international environments is desirable.
Prior exposure to EU-funded projects is an advantage.
Experience working within UN agencies or intergovernmental organizations is a plus.

Skills and Competencies

Strong organizational and coordination skills.
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital communication tools.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

Languages

Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
Knowledge of additional languages used in Southern Africa (e.g., French, Portuguese, or local languages) is desirable.

Desired Profile

The ideal candidate for this role is a meticulous and dependable professional who thrives in a structured, mission-driven environment. You should be highly organized, communicative, and passionate about development and cultural heritage.

You will excel in this role if you:

Enjoy coordinating activities and ensuring deadlines are met.
Have a genuine interest in culture, heritage, and sustainable tourism.
Value teamwork and collaboration.
Can multitask efficiently while maintaining attention to detail.
Demonstrate initiative and reliability in carrying out responsibilities.

Core Competencies

UNESCO’s success depends on a set of shared core competencies that reflect its values and mission. The successful candidate should demonstrate proficiency in the following:

Accountability: Takes ownership of tasks and delivers results within deadlines.
Communication: Clearly and effectively conveys information and ideas.
Innovation: Brings forward creative solutions and process improvements.
Knowledge Sharing: Promotes teamwork and continuous learning.
Planning and Organizing: Prioritizes work and manages resources effectively.
Results Focus: Strives for quality outcomes aligned with organizational goals.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
Professionalism: Upholds the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and service delivery.

Work Environment

This role is based at the UNESCO Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa. The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team that includes professionals from across the region.

The environment is fast-paced and mission-oriented, offering opportunities for professional growth, skills development, and meaningful contribution to sustainable development through culture.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

UNESCO is guided by the principle that employment and career advancement are based on merit, qualifications, and competence — without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, or disability.

The organization actively encourages applications from:

Women and underrepresented groups.
Persons with disabilities.
Individuals from minority and indigenous backgrounds.

UNESCO is committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in all aspects of its work.

Application and Selection Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online application via the official UNESCO Careers Portal before 4 November 2025 (Midnight Pretoria Time).

Application Process Steps:

APPLY HERE.
Attach your CV, cover letter, and any relevant certifications.
Submit your application before the closing date.

Selection Steps May Include:

Written assessments or technical tests.
Virtual or in-person interviews.
Reference and background checks for shortlisted candidates.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Please note that UNESCO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HERE!

Why Join UNESCO?

Joining UNESCO means becoming part of a global network of passionate professionals working to make a lasting impact on the world. As a Project Assistant, you will be part of an international mission that values cultural diversity, sustainable development, and social inclusion.

This position offers you:

A unique opportunity to contribute to heritage preservation and sustainable tourism in Southern Africa.
Exposure to international development practices and EU-funded project management.
The chance to collaborate with multilateral partners across the region.
An environment that values learning, innovation, and personal growth.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Vacancy Announcement	15 October 2025
Application Deadline	4 November 2025
Expected Start Date	January 2026

Final Note

At UNESCO, every role contributes to a greater mission — building peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.

As Project Assistant, you will play a vital part in supporting this mission at the regional level, helping UNESCO and its partners to protect cultural heritage, empower communities, and promote sustainable growth through culture.

If you are ready to join a global movement dedicated to creativity, diversity, and inclusion — apply today.