UNESCO Consultant for UNESCO Social and Human Sciences

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of more than 2,000 employees. The organization is committed to fostering collaboration among nations to achieve its goals and uphold its core values of commitment, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism.

Job Overview:
The position of UNESCO Consultant for Social and Human Sciences is situated within the Sciences Sector (SCS) of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok. The primary function of this role is to advance scientific knowledge for sustainable development, promote the ethics of science and technology, and enhance social inclusion across Southeast Asia, specifically in Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Singapore, and indirectly in Vietnam and Cambodia. The consultant will be expected to harness scientific interdisciplinarity to support evidence-based policy formulation and promote rights and ethics in science and technology. The role involves advising and collaborating with national institutions on various initiatives, including the implementation of AI Ethics recommendations and the development of a scientific interdisciplinary program focused on climate adaptation. The consultant will also facilitate the integration of cultural heritage and youth dialogue into sustainable tourism initiatives, all while working within a framework of digital transformation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Advising and collaborating with national institutions in Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam on the implementation of AI Ethics recommendations, including supporting the development of national AI strategies and initiatives.
• Facilitating the development of a scientific interdisciplinary program on the Science-Society Interface for Climate Adaptation in Asia-Pacific, leveraging UNESCO's scientific programs to document communal knowledge related to sustainable development and climate change adaptation.
• Supervising the production of research papers and leading consultations with stakeholders to support situation analysis work.
• Coordinating technical dialogues with UNESCO Field Offices and leading the design of a regional conference on the Science-Society Interface for Climate Adaptation.
• Contributing to the intersectoral program design focused on youth intercultural dialogue and cultural heritage promotion in the context of digital transformation.
• Submitting deliverables, including situation analyses, program documents, and research pieces, to UNESCO as part of the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires several qualifications, including:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences and Humanities, such as philosophy, sociology, history, political science, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in international cooperation, policy advice, development program design, and coordination.
• Continuous professional experience working with national and international development actors in the Asia-Pacific region, with a strong understanding of the socioeconomic, technological, and cultural contexts of the countries involved.
• Proven experience in partnership building and supporting multistakeholder dialogues in the design, fundraising, and implementation of UN programs/projects.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or its equivalent, in fields related to Social Sciences and Humanities. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social issues and the ethical implications of science and technology in the context of sustainable development.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 10 years of incremental professional experience in relevant areas such as international cooperation, policy advice, and development program design. This extensive experience should include working with various national and international development actors, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and should demonstrate a robust understanding of the local contexts and challenges.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Candidates with knowledge of another official UNESCO language, such as French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese, will be considered an asset, enhancing their ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to UNESCO's global mission.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this consultancy position is set for a duration of six months, with the consultant based in Bangkok, Thailand. The role is open to external candidates, and the consultant may be required to travel for missions related to program or project implementation. Travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the consultant, who will receive a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO's rules and regulations. The application process requires candidates to submit a comprehensive CV, a cover letter, and written technical and financial proposals. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing high standards of efficiency and integrity in its hiring process and encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply.