Consultant

The consultant will provide expert advice on science diplomacy focusing on inclusivity, pluralism, and peacebuilding. Tasks include supporting event development, designing analytical frameworks, conducting needs assessments, and contributing to policy observatory design within UNESCO's science diplomacy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on science diplomacy, focusing on inclusivity, pluralism and peacebuilding for events, knowledge products and activities.
• Provide technical support and input to coordinated work plans with partners.
• Support conceptualization, project design and production of outputs for Tech Diplomacy Forum, Chief Science Advisor’s Roundtable, and Foreign Ministries Science & Technology Advice Network.
• Develop methodology and analytical framework for global study of science diplomacy actors and initiatives.
• Design analytical fundamentals and data-collection methodology in collaboration with partners.
• Gather stakeholder feedback and integrate into framework.
• Prepare data collection resources such as surveys and interview templates.
• Implement needs assessment for science diplomacy training within UNESCO system.
• Analyze survey results and compile needs assessment report.
• Contribute to design of integrated science diplomacy policy observatory on GOSPIN platform.
• Conduct desk research on global policy landscape of science diplomacy.
• Develop structure, organization and launch basic functionality of the platform.
• Develop plans for policy dialogue at Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC) 2026.
• Collaborate with UNESCO field offices and partners for regional policy dialogue in Brazil.
• Develop concept and background notes for event.
• Identify and suggest speakers and participants.
• Consolidate report on outcomes and policy implications of the dialogue.
• Travel if necessary to perform work.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, basic sciences, science policy, International Relations, Development studies or other related discipline.
• At least 4 to 5 years relevant professional experience with progressive responsibility in the field of natural sciences, basic sciences, science policy.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to present research findings and complex relationships clearly in graphs, figures.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and reporting skills.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance.
• Excellent IT skills to carry out the work.
• Demonstrated capacity to work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English.
• Desirable: Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, basic sciences, science policy, or applied statistics/data science, or other related natural science discipline.
• Desirable: Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Skills

• Science Policy Analysis
• Research Presentation
• Data Visualization
• Analytical Framework Design
• Needs Assessment
• Policy Observatory Design
• Science Diplomacy
• Event Management
• Report Writing
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Advisory Skills
• IT Skills
• Drafting Skills

Languages

English