Valtencir Maldonado Mendes

Chief of Education , United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO

Barcelona, Spain

Senior Programme Specialist (P5) with a PhD and expertise in social innovation. Chief of Education at UNESCO, leading SDG4 programs. Skilled in designing, coordinating, monitoring, and fundraising for social and educational initiatives, contributing to UN collaborative platforms, and advancing development goals under the 2030 Agenda across diverse contexts (only available for permanent positions).

Contact Valtencir Maldonado Mendes
Area of Expertise:
  • Director, CEO, COP, President
  • Fundraising, Business Development, Grants Writer
  • Infrastructure, Technology, Engineering, Science
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
  • Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
Professional Experience:

Senior Programme Specialist and Chief of Education (P5) at UNESCO, with a solid foundation in education and social innovation. He holds a Ph.D. from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, specializing in the design, coordination, and advancement of global education initiatives aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

With a career focused on impact-driven programs and educational reforms, he has developed multi-stakeholder partnerships and strategic alliances to drive social and education transformation. His work contributes to global objectives such as the SDGs, UNESCO's Education for All, and the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, creating inclusive and sustainable learning environments.

Val's experience spans collaborations with governments, international organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society. He actively participates in UN initiatives, including the Global Education Coalition, where he facilitates cross-sector partnerships. His expertise in program design, coordination, social innovation, and alliance-building enhances education quality, access, and equity, especially for underserved and crisis-affected communities.

In addition to program development, he has a proven record in managing teams, fundraising, and securing sustainable funding and resources to expand social and educational initiatives. His accomplishments include implementing teacher training programs, curriculum reforms, and capacity-building initiatives that follow evidence-based, strategic frameworks aligned with global education priorities.

Val is committed to fostering organisational transformation, resilience and adaptability in education systems, addressing immediate social needs and promoting long-term sustainable reforms. His strategic vision, subject-matter expertise, and skill in partnership-building, fundraising, and alliance development continue to drive institutional and social transformation, enhancing access to inclusive, high-quality learning worldwide.

Education:

Ph.D. holder from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, UK, through the Education Projects and Multimedia Engineering Doctoral Programme. Achieved with an "Excellent Cum Laude" distinction, this doctoral research focused on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in advancing global education objectives, particularly within UNESCO's Education for All initiative, the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, and the Millennium Development Goals. Through a multi-stakeholder lens, the work emphasized how emerging technologies can amplify educational access, improve quality, and foster inclusive and sustainable development.

Research activities were structured around fostering partnerships across educational institutions, policymakers, private sector partners, and civil society, aimed at expanding the impact of ICT in education. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in exploring new digital methodologies, tools, and scalable solutions that support the widespread adoption of sustainable educational practices.

Engaged in diverse academic societies and activities throughout the doctoral program, this research agenda contributed to the field’s understanding of how strategic alliances and technology integration within educational systems can address global challenges in access and quality of education. The study also included insights on how these emerging digital practices can accelerate progress toward sustainable development in a manner aligned with UNESCO's frameworks and objectives.

The UPC and University of Glasgow partnership fostered interdisciplinary research, combining educational theory with practical solutions. This collaboration enriched the research outcomes, creating a foundation for innovative-driven solutions applicable on a global scale.

This doctoral journey not only contributed to a specialized knowledge of educational development but also emphasized strategic leadership and the importance of collaborative, cross-sector partnerships, and whole-of-government approaches in achieving long-term sustainable education goals.

Available for:

  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

15-20 years

Highest Qualification:

Doctorate

Languages:

English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan

Nationality:

Brazil , Spain

Subscribe to Value Membership Broadcast Resume Advertise Contact Us

Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions