Consultant (Open Solutions)

Organizational Context

UNESCO is a global leader in open solutions, promoting initiatives that foster inclusive knowledge sharing and innovation. The organization champions key normative instruments like the Recommendation on Open Educational Resources and the Recommendation on Open Science. UNESCO defines Open Solutions as digital public goods created and shared under open copyright licenses, enabling reuse, repurposing, adaptation, and redistribution while respecting creators' rights. These efforts align with UNESCO's mission to build inclusive knowledge societies.

Job Purpose

This consultancy role supports UNESCO's global leadership in open solutions, focusing on initiatives that enhance inclusive knowledge sharing and innovation. The consultant will contribute to key normative instruments and pilot projects promoting Open Access to Scientific Information, Open Data, and Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS). By defining Open Solutions as digital public goods shared under open licenses, the role aims to facilitate reuse and adaptation while respecting intellectual property. The consultant will operate under the authority of senior leadership within the Communication and Information Sector, contributing to specific outputs related to digital inclusion and policy transformation, and collaborating with relevant divisions and offices.

Responsibilities

The consultant will support the operationalization of Open Data activities, refining benchmark frameworks and toolkits for national and institutional strategies, and preparing implementation notes. Responsibilities include consolidating and reporting on Open Data and Diamond Open Access activities, producing summary reports with recommendations, and preparing annual reports. The role involves elaborating and strengthening methodologies for Diamond Open Access in Asia and Africa, including pilot analysis and guidelines. Additionally, the consultant will enhance awareness of preserving source code as digital documentary heritage, facilitating good practices and finalizing an issues paper. Support will be provided to the Open Solutions Programme for advancing inclusive knowledge sharing, digital inclusion, and equitable access to information, including preparing presentations and issue papers on Open Solutions as digital public goods. Partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising opportunity mapping for Open Solutions initiatives, particularly within European Union networks, are also key tasks. This includes preparing monthly briefing notes and facilitating stakeholder engagement for collaboration and resource mobilization.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in scientific research, international cooperation for sciences, or related fields is necessary. Experience in intergovernmental bodies or development organizations, and demonstrated experience in supporting multi-stakeholder cooperation at regional or global levels concerning scholarly publications, open data, or software management systems are highly valued.

Skills

Excellent communication and writing skills are essential. The ability to conceptualize issues, analyze data, and synthesize information is crucial. Strong interpersonal skills for teamwork in multicultural settings and effective stakeholder interaction are required. Proficiency in IT and analytical skills for information extraction and decision support is needed. The capacity to work both independently and in a team, with high attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines, is important.

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