Expert in Futures Literacy and Foresight

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Position Title: Expert in Futures Literacy and Foresight
Location: Paris
Country: France
Deadline Date: 21-FEB-2025

Job Details

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 workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace, eradicating poverty, and fostering sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The position of Expert in Futures Literacy and Foresight is crucial in addressing the pressing challenges faced by public administrations in six Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, and Latvia. The expert will be responsible for developing and implementing training materials and capacity-building initiatives that enhance futures literacy and foresight capabilities among public administration officials. This role requires a deep understanding of the complexities involved in public governance and the ability to design tailored training programs that meet the specific needs of each participating country. The expert will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of training sessions and the development of a robust in-house consulting framework that aligns with the goals of the EU’s Technical Support Instrument. The position demands a proactive approach to fostering collaboration among experts and public officials to build a sustainable network of knowledge and expertise in futures literacy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The expert will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Developing country-specific training materials that focus on futures literacy and foresight methodologies.
• Organizing and delivering six capacity-building training sessions tailored for core teams and relevant experts from each participating Member State.
• Providing five on-the-job support sessions for beneficiary authorities in each country to enhance their understanding and application of futures literacy and foresight.
• Collaborating with other UNESCO experts, particularly in crisis preparedness and resilience, to ensure a comprehensive approach to capacity building.
• Drafting six country-specific reports that summarize the capacity-building support provided, including insights and recommendations for future initiatives.
• Revising and iterating deliverables based on feedback from stakeholders to ensure the highest quality of outputs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as economics, public administration, governance, public policy, or a related area. A PhD is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of at least 10 years of experience in government innovation, public administration, good governance, and institutional development. Experience in developing and implementing futures literacy and foresight strategies is essential, along with a strong background in providing technical support and capacity-building projects for public administrations. Familiarity with EU-funded projects and multi-country technical support initiatives is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in fields related to public administration, governance, or policy-making. A master’s degree is the minimum requirement, while a PhD would be viewed favorably. The candidate's academic qualifications should demonstrate a strong foundation in the principles of governance, public policy, and capacity building.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in relevant fields such as government innovation, public administration, and institutional development. Candidates should have a history of successfully developing and implementing strategies related to futures literacy and foresight, as well as experience in providing tailored technical support to public administrations. Experience working within public administration is also considered an asset, as it provides valuable insights into the operational challenges faced by government entities.

Languages:
Excellent writing skills in English are mandatory for this position. Fluency in French is considered an asset, as it will facilitate communication with stakeholders in the participating Member States. Proficiency in additional languages may also be beneficial, depending on the specific needs of the project and the countries involved.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a non-staff contract with a duration ranging from 7 to 11 months. The recruitment is open to external candidates, and the application process requires submission of a personal CV, a cover letter, and a written technical and financial proposal. The deadline for applications is set for midnight Paris time on 21-FEB-202

• UNESCO emphasizes its commitment to diversity and encourages candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is dedicated to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.