Consultant

Organizational Context

UNESCO, as part of its Programme and Budget 2026-2027, contributes to the Consolidating EUropean Science Diplomacy (CUSP) project. This initiative promotes science diplomacy at the intersection of scientific systems and foreign policy to advance peace, human rights, and sustainable development. UNESCO leads the project's global strand, integrating global perspectives and multilateral organizations to strengthen European science diplomacy and foster cross-regional collaboration.

Job Purpose

The consultant will provide expert advice and technical support for the Consolidating EUropean Science Diplomacy (CUSP) project, aligning with UNESCO's Major Programme II: Sciences. This role involves contributing to the development of events, knowledge products, and analytical frameworks related to science diplomacy. The consultant will play a key part in conceptualizing and producing outputs for forums and roundtables, designing methodologies for studying science diplomacy actors, and assessing training needs within a multilateral context. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the design of a science diplomacy policy observatory and develop plans for regional policy dialogues, ensuring alignment with UNESCO's strategic direction and fostering global collaboration in science diplomacy.

Responsibilities

The consultant will provide expert advice on science diplomacy, focusing on inclusivity, pluralism, and peacebuilding, to support the development of events and knowledge products. This includes offering technical input for work plans and assisting in the conceptualization, design, and production of outputs for various forums like the Tech Diplomacy Forum and Chief Science Advisor's Roundtable. The role also involves contributing to the development of a methodology and analytical framework for studying global science diplomacy actors and initiatives, including designing data collection methods and gathering stakeholder feedback. Furthermore, the consultant will aid in implementing a needs assessment for science diplomacy training in a multilateral setting, analyzing survey results for capacity-building reports. Contributions will also be made to designing an integrated science diplomacy policy observatory and developing plans for a policy dialogue at the Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, including event preparation and speaker identification.

Work Experience

A minimum of 4 to 5 years of relevant professional experience with increasing responsibility in the fields of natural sciences, basic sciences, or science policy is required. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of the subject matter and the ability to manage related projects or initiatives.

Skills

The consultant must possess strong analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to present complex research findings clearly. Excellent communication, coordination, and reporting abilities are essential. The role requires the capacity to provide expert advice and guidance, along with excellent IT skills for task execution. Demonstrated ability to work effectively under tight deadlines is also crucial for success in this position.

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