Background
“Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed.”
UNESCO Constitution 1945
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. An agency of the UN, UNESCO contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences (natural and physical, social and human), culture, and communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to build mutual understanding and a better knowledge of each other's lives.
UNESCO acts as a laboratory of ideas, setting international normative standards, building capacity, and acting as a catalyst for international dialogue and co-operation between its Member States.
UNESCO's programmes contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015) and to the attainment of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within it. In 2022, UNESCO published its Medium-Term Strategy 2022-29 to guide the organisation for the remainder of the decade.
UNESCO is a global organisation, grounded in local designations ranging from UNESCO World Heritage Sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, to UNESCO Global Geoparks and UNESCO Creative Cities. UNESCO also develops and manages international networks linked to education, from schools through its Associated Schools Programme Network (ASPnet) to higher education through its UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Network.
It is this grassroots nature, linked to global standards setting, which gives UNESCO its unique character and potential.
The UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC)
UNESCO works towards its mission by strengthening the ties between nations and societies through an international network of 200 national cooperating bodies known as National Commissions.
The UK National Commission for UNESCO is the focal point for all UNESCO-related matters in the UK, including overseas territories and Crown dependencies, and is a constitutional part of the UK’s membership of UNESCO.
An independent company limited by guarantee, the UKNC supports the UK’s contribution to UNESCO and brings the benefits of UNESCO to the UK. The UKNC is funded by core grant funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The Commission is overseen by a voluntary Board of Non-Executive Directors with an expertise and skills mix covering UNESCO’s programme areas. The UKNC Board provides strategic guidance and leadership to a small Secretariat, led by the Chief Executive/Secretary General.
As outlined in the UKNC Strategic Summary (2022-29), the UKNC’s core functions are:
- Support UK Government in achieving its objectives through UNESCO
- Support UK society and communities to maximise the benefits of UNESCO’s mission and programmes
- Support UNESCO to be a competent and relevant UN agency able to deliver its mission and fulfil its objectives.
UKNC Portfolios
For reference, the main fields of activity in these portfolios include the following UNESCO Conventions, Recommendations and Programmes:
- Natural Sciences (inc. Oceans)
- Biosphere Reserves - Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB)
- Global Geoparks - International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP)
- The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Committee (IOC)
- The UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP)
The new Non-Executive Director(s) will be expected to:
- Champion the benefits of UNESCO designations to the UK and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
- Advise/support UK Government on international opportunities to showcase and share UK research and good practice arising from UNESCO designations.
- Promote the intersectoral aspects of UNESCO designations, and champion and showcase good practice nationally and internationally arising from research and projects in this area.
- Take an oversight role for key current and emerging UKNC projects in the Natural Sciences.
- Alongside the rest of the UKNC Board, the Director will also be expected to take responsibility for UKNC corporate governance.
Time Commitment: At least 20 days per year, including four UKNC Board Meetings per year and other task-related activities. Candidates should indicate the time they expect to be able to devote to UKNC work.
Travel Requirements: In-person attendance at UNESCO meetings and functions in the UK (mainly London), France (usually UNESCO headquarters in Paris) and occasional other overseas countries.
Remuneration: The role is voluntary. Reimbursement of reasonable approved expenses will be paid.
Application Process and Timings
Applicants should submit their application comprising a CV and covering letter (of no more than two sides of A4 in 12-point text) stating their expertise, engagement, and networks in relation to the role to [email protected]. They should also attach a copy of the monitoring form here alongside their application.
Applicants should also provide the names and contact details of two referees.
Confidential informal enquiries, to arrange a telephone conversation or to submit in writing, can be addressed to either:
- James Bridge, UKNC Chief Executive/Secretary-General, [email protected]
- Professor Anne Anderson, UKNC Chair and Non-Executive Director for Higher Education, [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Saturday, 20 June 2026
Interviews (online) are scheduled to take place in the week of Monday, 20 July 2026
We anticipate that the person(s) will be appointed by the end of August.
