Associate Project Officer (Research)

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO MGIEP) is a prominent research institute established by UNESCO in the Asia-Pacific region. Its mission is to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.7, which focuses on education for building peaceful and sustainable societies. The institute is dedicated to promoting Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to nurture peaceful mindsets among teachers, students, and young people. Through various programs and online courses, MGIEP aims to strengthen core Social and Emotional Competencies (SECs) such as empathy, mindfulness, compassion, and critical inquiry. The organization is committed to generating research and evidence to inform policy and practice on SEL for learning, peace, global citizenship, and sustainable development. MGIEP operates with a team of dedicated professionals and collaborates with various stakeholders to advance its mission across multiple countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer (Research) position at UNESCO MGIEP is designed for a technically competent and motivated researcher at the master’s level, with a strong interest in social and emotional learning and education research. The role involves contributing to advancing research on SEL in both formal and informal learning environments, including classrooms and virtual spaces. The selected candidate will work closely with the Sr. National Project Officer (Research) and other team members to design, develop, and implement research programs related to SEL for learning and the cultivation of social and emotional competencies for peace and sustainability. The focus will be particularly on early childhood development and the validation of novel SEL assessment approaches. The incumbent will be expected to engage in various research activities, including data analysis, study design, and collaboration with digital pedagogy specialists to support the development of SEL programs and assessment tools.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will carry out a comprehensive set of tasks and responsibilities, including: reviewing and synthesizing the latest research and evidence across program domains related to SEL, early childhood, education, global citizenship, peace, and sustainable development; contributing to the design of research studies that strengthen the role of SEL in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, focusing on K–12 learners and teachers; supporting the analysis of research data and developing advanced analytical skills; demonstrating statistical knowledge and data analysis proficiency using tools such as R, Python, or similar programming languages; assisting in designing and implementing online experimental and assessment tasks; collaborating with digital pedagogy specialists to develop SEL programs and assessment dashboards; designing a detailed implementation process for data collection and analysis; coordinating cross-country pilot research studies to test the efficacy of SEL programs; and carrying out any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) in education, psychology, neuroscience/cognitive science, statistics (with a psychology major), or other education-related sciences. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mandate and vision, possess the ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads, and meet tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and quality of work. Integrity, reliability, and a strong sense of commitment in executing duties are essential, along with the ability to work as part of a team within a multicultural environment. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, are required, as well as proficiency in MS Office applications and coding skills in R or Python.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) in relevant fields such as education, psychology, neuroscience/cognitive science, statistics (with a psychology major), or other education-related sciences. A PhD in these areas is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing the candidate's profile for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have up to two years of research experience in education, experimental psychology, cognitive science, assessment, early childhood development, or any field related to SDG 4.

• This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to engage in research activities effectively and contribute to the advancement of SEL and educational practices.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of Hindi is required. Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or regional Indian languages is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is open only to Indian Nationals. The starting annual salary for this position is INR 23,34,091, and the salary for service contracts is taxable. The successful candidate will also receive benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, reimbursement of medical insurance (up to 5% of base salary), and a pension plan (up to 10% of base salary). The selection process may include pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and interviews with a panel, along with reference checks. All candidates must complete an online application by the specified deadline, and modifications cannot be made once submitted. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its hiring process, applying a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.