Project Coordinator (Kuwait, Kuwait) @ UNESCO

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract Level : SB4 Hiring Unit : Sciences Sector (SCS) Duty Station : Kuwait Work location : On site Duration of contract : 12 months Hiring open to : External candidates Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 30/11/2026 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The United Nations in Kuwait is implementing a joint programme entitled “Promoting Inclusive Employment and Empowerment” under the One UN approach and in alignment with Kuwait’s national development priorities.

• The project brings together two complementary programme components implemented by multiple UN agencies: A joint UNESCO–ILO component focused on strengthening the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the world of work through improved policies, inclusive education and training, employer engagement, media inclusion, and data systems.
• A WHO–UNODC component focused on strengthening Kuwait’s national response to substance use through rehabilitation and reintegration services.

The UNESCO–ILO component is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities (PADA), the Human Capacity Building Society for Social Development (HCBSSD) and other relevant civil society organizations, employers’ organizations, training institutions, media institutions, and other national stakeholders. The project aims to strengthen institutional capacities, improve enabling environments for inclusive employment, and enhance evidence-based policymaking through improved disability-inclusive data systems. To support the implementation of the project, UNESCO seeks to recruit a Project Coordinator to provide strategic, technical, operational, coordination, communication, and donor liaison support to ensure effective implementation of the UNESCO component in Kuwait.

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, the general supervision of the Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Programme Specialist, and in close coordination with the joint UNESCO–ILO project management team, the incumbent shall support the implementation of the joint project on disability inclusion and empowerment in Kuwait. In particular, the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities: Provide strategic and operational coordination for the effective implementation of UNESCO-led project activities and workplans :

• Develop, update, and monitor annual workplans, implementation schedules, and results frameworks for UNESCO activities.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of all project outputs under UNESCO responsibility.
• Coordinate closely with the ILO project team to ensure coherence, complementarity, and joint delivery of results.

Provide technical oversight of project implementation across all UNESCO-led components, including:

• Strengthening the capacity of the National CRPD Committee in substantively contributing to the workshops content and facilitation
• Supporting development of TVET-to-work transition tools and guidelines.
• Overseeing establishment of the disability inclusion clinic.
• Coordinating employability skills curriculum development.
• Supervising disability-inclusive media and communication interventions.
• Supporting OPD-led awareness campaigns.
• Coordinating employer engagement initiatives and partnerships.
• Overseeing situational analysis studies and research outputs.
• Coordinating development of AI-enabled disability inclusion data systems.

Coordinate stakeholder engagement and partnership building, including:

• Liaising with government entities (including MoSA and PADA) and coordinating with HCBSSD, in accordance with its role within the project governance and partnership framework.
• Engaging organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).
• Coordinating with TVET institutions, media organizations, employers, and business associations.
• Maintaining close collaboration with UN agencies and the UN Resident Coordinator system.
• Supporting the establishment and maintenance of multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms, including facilitating effective participation of national partners and relevant governance bodies.

Lead donor coordination, reporting, and strategic communication, including:

• Serve as focal point for donor communication and coordination.
• Prepare consolidated donor reports, briefing notes, and presentations in view of the Steering committee meetings.
• Ensure timely submission of narrative and technical inputs from implementing partners and national partner organizations, as appropriate.
• Support organization of donor missions, review meetings, and steering committee sessions.
• Ensure alignment of reporting with donor requirements and UN standards.
• Reflect the technical contributions and participation of national partners in the monitoring and evaluation reports to submit to the Steering committees, in line with agreed project governance arrangements.

Lead communication, visibility, and knowledge management activities, including:

• Develop and implement communication and visibility plans for UNESCO project activities.
• Produce newsletters, success stories, human-interest stories, and web-based content.
• Ensure visibility of UNESCO and donor contributions in line with branding guidelines.
• Support media engagement and public communication activities.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and project achievements.
• Support communication outputs for national, regional, and international events.
• Maintain a structured repository of communication materials and visibility assets.

Support monitoring, reporting, and documentation, including:

• Prepare quarterly progress reports, technical briefs, and analytical updates.
• Track project implementation against indicators, outputs, and budgets.
• Consolidate inputs received from implementing and national partners, ensuring that the contributions of all participating national stakeholders are appropriately reflected in project reporting and documentation, in accordance with UNESCO and donor reporting requirements.
• Prepare monitoring frameworks and results tracking matrices.
• Support preparation of steering committee meetings and technical working groups.
• Produce analytical summaries, charts, and visualization of results.

Support financial and administrative coordination, including:

• Work closely with UNESCO finance and operations teams on budget tracking.
• Support procurement processes, recruitment of consultants, and contract management.
• Assist in organization of workshops, missions, and events.
• Ensure compliance with UNESCO financial and administrative procedures.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Building partnership (M) Strategic thinking (M) Teamwork (C) For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework .

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in: Education, Social sciences, Public policy, International development, Disability studies, Human rights, or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in project management
• Proven experience managing large-scale development or UN projects Long Description SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent drafting, reporting, and communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to engage with senior government officials, donors, and UN agencies.
• Strong understanding of results-based management (RBM).
• Ability to manage complex multi-stakeholder environments under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Strong IT and digital communication skills.

LANGUAGES Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in Kuwait or comparable national contexts is highly desirable.
• Experience in disability inclusion and sound knowledge of the principles embedded in the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities preferable, in education, labour market development, or social policy.
• Experience in donor coordination, reporting, and multi-stakeholder programme management.
• Experience in strategic communication, visibility, and stakeholder engagement is an advantage. Long Description SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Knowledge of disability inclusion frameworks and CRPD is an asset.
• Knowledge of UNESCO’s mission and action will be an advantage.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of writing and speaking Arabic would be an asset.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS UNESCO

Salaries in Kuwait are paid in Kuwaiti Dinars; the monthly remuneration for the post is KWD. 2,370 UNESCO Service Contract benefits includes 30 days of annual leave as well as a contribution to pension scheme and health insurance upon proof of inscription.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline. To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website . No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.