Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights)

Organizational Context

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as the official statistical agency for UNESCO and a United Nations data repository for internationally comparable statistics across education, science, culture, and communication. As the custodian for a significant portion of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators in education and a contributor to international statistical development, UIS empowers Member States and partners to enhance data production, analysis, and utilization for evidence-based policymaking.

Job Purpose

The Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights) is responsible for supporting the implementation of the UIS strategic foresight and research program. This involves conducting analytical, research, and coordination activities. The role contributes to horizon scanning, applied research, analysis of country data ecosystems, and SDG 4 monitoring initiatives. The incumbent will generate evidence and insights crucial for program development, indicator innovation, country engagement, and policy dialogue, aligning global priorities with national data systems and anticipating future data needs in response to evolving global challenges and discussions on the post-2030 development agenda.

Responsibilities

Lead the preparation and maintenance of horizon-scanning briefs, trend analyses, and strategic intelligence notes on emerging developments impacting education, science, culture, and communication statistics. Produce foresight products, including background papers, scenario analyses, and strategic intelligence reports, to support UIS institutional planning and policy dialogue. Identify emerging data needs, strategic risks, opportunities, and measurement gaps relevant to UIS programs. Conduct research on priority themes related to future measurement agendas, such as well-being, digital transformation, climate change, skills development, education quality, equity, and lifelong learning. Apply analytical frameworks to assess relationships between policy priorities, data systems, and statistical indicators, providing technical inputs for refinement. Prepare technical papers, literature reviews, policy briefs, and discussion documents for UIS management, Member States, and international partners. Manage, maintain, and quality-assure databases and analytical tools for national SDG 4 benchmark monitoring and country data ecosystem analysis. Produce analytical reports, briefing materials, and evidence products to support program implementation, regional and country engagement, and policy dialogue. Support technical reviews of SDG monitoring frameworks and indicator systems, and contribute to methodological reviews on innovative data approaches. Maintain databases of foresight, research, and policy resources, and coordinate technical inputs from various programs and external partners.

Work Experience

A minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, program implementation, or international development is required, with at least two years at the international level. Experience in conducting analytical research, preparing evidence-based reports, undertaking strategic foresight activities, and managing statistical databases is essential.

Skills

Strong analytical and research skills are essential, with the ability to synthesize complex technical information for policy audiences. Excellent drafting and communication skills, along with strong quantitative and qualitative analytical capabilities, are required. The ability to manage multiple priorities, deliver within deadlines, and work effectively in multicultural environments is crucial. Proficiency in standard office and analytical software is necessary.

Explore related opportunities