UNESCO: UNESCO-SENIOR LEVEL POSITIONS AND

UNCLAS PARIS 000621 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FROM USMISSION UNESCO FOR IO/EA KARA LICALSI, IO/UNESCO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC APER KUNR PREL UNESCO SUBJECT: UNESCO: UNESCO-SENIOR LEVEL POSITIONS AND HIRING OF AMCITS ¶1. (SBU) Progress has been slow hiring Americans at UNESCO. We do not miss an opportunity to push for more American staff but we run up against a tight budget situation, a clamor from the staff union to compete more positions internally so that long-time employees can get promoted and UNESCO's need to find positions for participants in the Young Professionals Program. At the same time, there will be a significant number of retirements in the next five years that should create many more opportunities. ¶2. (SBU) The one Amcit Assistant Director General, is Peter Smith, the head of UNESCO's Education Sector. Smith's position is of crucial importance to the USG as this is the area of greatest US interest at UNESCO. Smith took up his position in June 2005 and is expected to remain in that position for several years. ¶3. (SBU) Applications for the ADG for Culture closed in December. The job is currently encumbered by an Algerian. There is no likelihood, this position could be filled by an American. ¶4. (SBU) The Deputy ADG for Culture position is now vacant and will not likely be advertised until the new ADG is in place. An Amcit candidacy would be considered for this position. ¶5. (SBU) The contract of the ADG for Science was recently extended for only one year. If the incumbent is not extended, this is a position that could be encumbered by an Amcit. ¶6. (SBU) The contract of the ADG for Social and Human Sciences has also been renewed for only one year but the future of this sector is in doubt, pending a review of both the Natural and Social Science Sectors. If the job is kept and advertised, it is doubtful that an Amcit would be hired for the position. ¶7. (SBU) P5 Natural Sciences. This job is also crucial to US interests and once it is announced, serious effort should be made to find a qualified Amcit. ¶8. (SBU) P5 Division for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace in the Communications and Information Sector. This job is currently being competed internally. Given USG interest in democracy building, we have made a strong pitch to have this job opened to external competition. ¶9. (SBU) D1 Director of the Division of Human Rights. We have been pushing for an Amcit to be chosen for this position, which is currently vacant. ¶10. (SBU) D1 Director of Internal Oversight. The incumbent, a UK national, may be leaving. Again, given the USG's emphasis on good UN management, this would be a good job for an Amcit. ¶11. (SBU) Director of UNESCO Brasilia Office. There is a strong American candidate that we are aware of for this job. We believe an American in this position would be desirable, though there is likely to be push- back from the DDG who is Brazilian. OLIVER