Senior Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights)

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as the official statistical agency of UNESCO and acts as the United Nations depository for internationally comparable statistics in education, science, culture, and communication. Established to support the global community in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UIS plays a crucial role in setting international standards and methodologies, while also assisting Member States in enhancing their data production and analysis capabilities. The organization is dedicated to strengthening statistical systems and ensuring that data is effectively utilized for evidence-based policymaking. UIS operates globally, engaging with various stakeholders to promote data-driven decision-making and to address emerging global challenges.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights) is a pivotal role within the UIS, responsible for leading strategic foresight initiatives and future-oriented policy analysis. This position is designed to enhance the UIS's capacity to anticipate future trends and challenges in education and related fields. The incumbent will oversee the development and implementation of a strategic foresight framework, ensuring that the UIS remains responsive to evolving global priorities and the demands of the post-2030 development agenda. This role involves significant analytical leadership, guiding the UIS's contributions to international discussions on education monitoring and indicator innovation. The Senior Project Officer will also represent UIS in various international fora, fostering partnerships that enhance the Institute's credibility and reach in the field of strategic foresight.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the UIS strategic foresight framework, including methodologies and governance arrangements.
• Produce analytical products such as horizon scans and trend analyses to inform UIS senior management.
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities relevant to UIS's mandate.
• Lead analytical work for UIS contributions to post-2030 education monitoring discussions.
• Develop forward-looking indicator frameworks in new domains like well-being and digital transformation.
• Assess national data ecosystems and identify opportunities for alignment with global monitoring requirements.
• Embed foresight into UIS corporate planning and programming cycles.
• Supervise and provide guidance to project staff, ensuring quality and performance management.
• Represent UIS in international expert groups and establish partnerships with foresight networks. 1
• Monitor the quality and uptake of foresight outputs in UIS processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as statistics, economics, public policy, data science, or development studies, with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic analysis, policy research, or international development analytics is required, with at least three years at the international level. Experience in managing complex analytical initiatives and producing strategic analyses that inform institutional planning is essential. Candidates should also have experience supervising professional staff and managing performance effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields is mandatory. Specialization or additional training in strategic foresight, futures studies, or policy analysis is desirable. Candidates should have a solid foundation in quantitative analysis and its application in policy contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience, with a focus on strategic analysis and policy research. Candidates should have experience leading analytical work related to international development monitoring and statistical systems, as well as managing multi-stakeholder initiatives. Proven experience in producing strategic analyses that influence senior-level decision-making is crucial.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both oral and written, is mandatory. A working knowledge of French is desirable, and knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is a plus.

Additional Notes:
The contract is for a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and performance. The position is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary is 115,964 USD, and benefits may include annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The recruitment process may involve video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks. UNESCO emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.