Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 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. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization focuses on building peace in the minds of men and women, fostering sustainable development, and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. UNESCO's work is guided by its core values of commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is primarily focused on conducting a diagnostic study and state-of-the-art analysis of data center infrastructure in Mexico, particularly in the state of Querétaro. This role is part of UNESCO's initiative to navigate digital and climate transformations in Mexico, which recognizes the dual impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure on climate action. The consultant will be responsible for generating evidence that informs public policies aimed at sustainable, inclusive, and resilient digital and climate transitions. The overarching goal is to systematically analyze available evidence regarding the development, location, institutional and regulatory framework, resource demands, and socio-environmental impacts of data centers, thereby providing useful insights for policy-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key activities under the direct supervision of the National Officer for the Sciences Sector at UNESCO Mexico. These activities include:

• Document review and methodological design: Reviewing relevant UNESCO documents and international frameworks, academic literature, official documents, databases, and other public sources. Defining the study methodology, including criteria for source inclusion, analysis categories, variables, and indicators.
• Mapping and characterization of infrastructure: Creating a national overview of data center infrastructure with a focus on Querétaro, identifying locations, types of infrastructure, operators, and trends.
• Regulatory, institutional, and governance analysis: Identifying relevant norms, permits, and public policies for data centers, focusing on environmental, water, energy, urban, territorial, and investment aspects. Analyzing gaps in environmental evaluation, transparency, and social participation.
• Generating methodological inputs and evidence for public policy tools. The consultant will also be expected to produce analytical reports and policy recommendations based on the findings of the study.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in social sciences, science and technology studies, public policy, environmental studies, digital humanities, or related fields. They should have proven experience in research related to digital technologies, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and data centers, as well as expertise in at least one of the following areas: human rights, sustainability, or environmental justice. Experience in coordinating or participating in observatories, research networks, interdisciplinary projects, or database construction and analysis is essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to produce analytical reports and evidence-based policy recommendations, and have knowledge of the Mexican context, preferably with research experience in digital infrastructure in Mexico or Latin America.

Educational Background:
A postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, science and technology studies, public policy, environmental studies, or digital humanities is required. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of the issues related to data centers and their socio-environmental impacts.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in research related to digital technologies and infrastructure, particularly in the context of data centers. This includes experience in areas such as human rights, sustainability, or environmental justice. Proven experience in coordinating interdisciplinary projects or working with international organizations, academia, public authorities, civil society, or the private sector is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as the work will primarily be conducted in this language. Proficiency in English is also desirable, as it may be necessary for communication with international stakeholders and for accessing relevant literature and resources.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted primarily remotely, with availability for virtual and/or in-person meetings with UNESCO Mexico as needed. The contract duration is for 5 months, and the position is open to external candidates. The application process requires candidates to submit an online application, and only selected candidates will be contacted for further evaluation. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its hiring process, and it adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment.