The UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 is now open for qualified international candidates interested in working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France. This UNESCO Grants Management Officer position is a P-3, fixed-term international professional position with an initial contract duration of two years, renewable.
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates, and the application deadline is 14 September 2026 at midnight Paris time.
If you have professional experience in grants management, funding agreements, donor negotiations, partnerships, and international development, this UNESCO job opportunity may be a strong career opportunity.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 – Overview
| Job Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | UNESCO |
| Job Title | Grants Management Officer |
| Position Number | DPA 834 |
| Grade | P-3 |
| Job Family | Programme Coordination |
| Duty Station | Paris, France |
| Parent Sector | Division for Partnerships (DPA) |
| Contract Type | Fixed Term |
| Contract Duration | 2 years, renewable |
| Recruitment | Internal and external candidates |
| Application Deadline | 14 September 2026 |
| Approx. Annual Starting Salary | USD 109,427 |
About the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Position
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer will work within UNESCO’s Partnerships Division (DPA), which operates under the Deputy Director-General.
The Partnerships Division coordinates UNESCO’s relationships with a wide range of public and private partners, including bilateral donors, United Nations and multilateral organizations, regional institutions, civil society organizations, foundations, philanthropic organizations, and corporations.
Also Read:UNICEF Jobs 2026: 167+ Current Vacancies, Consultants, Remote Jobs and International Opportunities
The Division also supports UNESCO Programme Sectors, Field Offices, and Category 1 Institutes in partnership development and resource mobilization.
For the UNESCO Grants Management Officer, the main responsibility will be to lead the review of donor funding agreements, provide guidance to implementing units, support negotiations with donors, and contribute to the development and improvement of grant management policies and procedures.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer – Key Responsibilities
The selected candidate for the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 will perform a range of responsibilities related to funding agreements, grants management, donor relations, and organizational policies.
1. Review of Funding Agreements
The Grants Management Officer will:
- Support negotiations with donors concerning different types of funding agreements.
- Ensure an effective system for reviewing funding agreements.
- Consider donor requirements alongside UNESCO regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
- Advise on risks associated with non-standard clauses and other funding-agreement risks.
- Coordinate consultations with relevant UNESCO services.
2. Backstopping to Implementing Units
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer will also:
- Advise project officers on appropriate funding arrangements based on donor requirements.
- Provide guidance and backstopping to project officers at Headquarters and Field Offices.
- Support the preparation of project agreements and agreements involving Institutes where applicable.
- Process delegation requests for the signature of funding agreements.
- Ensure funding agreements are recorded promptly in UNESCO systems.
- Organize training on funding arrangements for Headquarters and Field Offices in coordination with relevant DPA units.
3. Monitoring of Agreements
The officer will work with team members to maintain an up-to-date list of funding agreements that are currently under negotiation or review.
This will help UNESCO maintain accurate reporting on funding arrangements in the pipeline.
4. Grants Policies and Procedures
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer will participate in:
- Reviewing grants management policies.
- Updating and revising grant management procedures.
- Regularly updating UNESCO funding agreement templates.
- Supporting continuous improvement of funding agreement processes.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer – Required Qualifications
Applicants for the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 must meet the required education and professional experience criteria.
Education
Candidates must have an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in:
- Public administration;
- Economics; or
- A related discipline.
Work Experience
Applicants must have:
- At least four years of relevant professional experience in funding agreement negotiations or a closely related field.
- Preferably, at least two years of this experience at the international level.
- Demonstrated experience in grants management and partnerships.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer – Skills and Competencies
Strong candidates for this UNESCO Grants Management Officer vacancy should demonstrate:
- Excellent knowledge of grants management processes.
- Strong understanding of funding agreement review and negotiation.
- Knowledge of the international donor landscape.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to participate effectively in negotiations with different stakeholders.
- Excellent drafting skills.
- Strong problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.
UNESCO Core Competencies
UNESCO identifies the following core and managerial competencies for this position:
- Communication
- Accountability
- Innovation
- Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
- Planning and organizing
- Results focus
- Teamwork
- Professionalism
UNESCO Grants Management Officer – Language Requirements
Applicants for the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 must have:
- Excellent knowledge of English or French; and
- Very good knowledge of the other language.
Desirable Language Qualification
Knowledge of another official UNESCO language is desirable. These languages include:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Russian
- Spanish
Desirable Qualification
A good understanding of the United Nations System funding structure will be considered an additional advantage for applicants seeking the UNESCO Grants Management Officer position.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer Salary and Benefits
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer salary has an approximate annual starting salary of USD 109,427.
UNESCO international staff benefits may include, where applicable:
- Basic salary;
- 30 days of annual leave;
- Family allowance;
- Medical insurance;
- Pension plan; and
- Other applicable staff benefits and entitlements.
The exact benefits and entitlements depend on applicable UNESCO rules and staff conditions.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer – Who Can Apply?
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer vacancy is open to internal and external candidates who meet the stated education, professional experience, language, and competency requirements.
UNESCO particularly encourages applications from candidates from non- and under-represented Member States.
Individuals from minority groups and Indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, are also encouraged to apply.
UNESCO is committed to workforce diversity, gender parity, and equitable geographical distribution.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 is:
14 September 2026 at midnight Paris time.
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline because late applications may not be considered.
UNESCO Grants Management Officer – Selection Process
Candidates must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information.
The selection process may include:
- Application screening;
- Pre-recorded video interviews;
- Written assessments;
- Panel interviews;
- Reference checks; and
- Requests for additional information concerning qualifications.
Shortlisted candidates may also be considered for UNESCO Talent Pools, subject to their consent and applicable data privacy requirements.
Candidates should carefully review their applications before submission because no modifications can be made once an application has been submitted.
Important Information for UNESCO Applicants
UNESCO states that it does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Candidates should be cautious of individuals or websites requesting payment in exchange for UNESCO employment or recruitment assistance.
If shortlisted for an interview, candidates may be required to provide scanned copies of their relevant degrees, diplomas, or certificates.
UNESCO also notes that higher educational qualifications must be obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
International Professional appointments may require medical clearance and a visa for the country of the duty station. Geographical mobility is also required for staff members appointed to UNESCO international posts.
Why Apply for the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026?
The UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026 offers qualified professionals an opportunity to work at the international level within UNESCO’s Partnerships Division in Paris.
The position is particularly relevant to professionals with backgrounds in:
- Grants management;
- Funding agreements;
- Donor negotiations;
- Partnership management;
- International development;
- Public administration;
- Economics;
- Programme coordination; and
- Multilateral organizations.
The P-3 UNESCO Grants Management Officer position also provides an opportunity to contribute to UNESCO’s work with governments, donors, international organizations, foundations, civil society, and other partners.
How to Apply for the UNESCO Grants Management Officer Job 2026
Interested and qualified candidates should prepare their online application carefully and ensure that all required information is complete and accurate.
Applicants should apply through the official UNESCO recruitment system before the 14 September 2026 deadline.
Official Application Link
FOR MORE JOB UPDATES AND INFORMATION
