Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working towards sustainable development and the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is focused on supporting the Third UNESCO Engineering Report (ER III), which aims to assess global engineering capacity, innovation ecosystems, and policy frameworks. This report is crucial for evidence-based decision-making in Member States and highlights the importance of engineering in achieving sustainable development and technological innovation. The consultant will provide technical expertise in engineering research, coordinate partnerships, and contribute to project implementation, aligning with UNESCO’s global priorities such as Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Gender Equality, and Priority Africa. The consultant will be expected to engage in research, data analysis, and capacity-building activities, ensuring that the project meets its objectives and delivers impactful results.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Director of the Division of Science Policy and Basic Sciences and the Chief of Section, Basic Sciences & Engineering. Key responsibilities include conducting comprehensive literature reviews, mapping statistics and indicators in global engineering, developing conceptual and methodological frameworks for the report, and designing surveys for data collection. The consultant will also coordinate the inception workshop for the project, establish partnerships with engineering associations and academic institutions, and facilitate the appointment of national coordinators. Additionally, the consultant will participate in creating training materials for capacity-building sessions and ensure effective communication with project national focal points, providing guidance and clarifying technical requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Engineering, specifically in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or a related interdisciplinary field. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in engineering research, policy analysis, or applied engineering projects is required. Experience working with international organizations and proven capabilities in research, drafting technical reports, and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives are essential. Strong analytical and research skills, excellent drafting and communication abilities, and familiarity with global engineering education systems and policy frameworks are also necessary qualifications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, with a focus on Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related interdisciplinary fields. A Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in engineering research, policy analysis, or applied engineering projects. Candidates should have experience working with international organizations, particularly within the UN system, and should demonstrate a proven track record in research, drafting technical reports, and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives. Experience in engineering assessment and reporting, as well as in developing training materials and delivering capacity-building activities, is also highly valued.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French is considered a desirable qualification, as it may enhance communication and collaboration within the multilingual environment of UNESCO and its stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is for a duration of eleven months, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. The position is classified as Level 2 - Middle, and the work location is on-site in Paris. The application process requires candidates to submit a detailed Employment History form, an up-to-date CV, a technical proposal outlining their approach and methodology for the consultancy, and a financial proposal with a budget breakdown. Candidates must complete the online application by the specified deadline, and the selection process may include interviews, assessments, and reference checks. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply.