Consultant

BACKGROUND

The Research, Governance and Diplomacy (RGD) Section within the Division of Ethics, Research and Technology (ERT), Sciences Sector of UNESCO supports global efforts to strengthen science, technology and innovation (STI) systems, science-policy interfaces, scientific cooperation, ethical governance of emerging technologies, open science, scientific literacy, the right to science, scientific freedom and public engagement with science.

As part of these efforts, the RGD section is coordinating the four-yearly monitoring of the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR). To support the monitoring of the Recommendation, the RGD Section is recruiting a Consultant to contribute to the creation of an online dashboard drawing on the 62 national reports on the implementation of the RS|SR submitted in 2025. The dashboards will present among others country profiles, comparisons (between countries and regions and against the 10 RS|SR key areas), data aggregation, and brief analysis, pointing to trends and common challenges. The dashboard will also include a global map and graphic presentations.

The RS|SR dashboard will build on the conceptual and technical approach developed for the UNESCO Open Science Dashboard, launched in 2026, with a view to ensuring coherence across UNESCO's science monitoring frameworks and facilitating comparative analyses where relevant. The dashboard may at a later stage be integrated into a revamped and redesigned UNESCO Global Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments (GO-SPIN) platform, thereby contributing to a consolidated ecosystem for monitoring and reporting on UNESCO normative instruments in the field of science.

ASSIGNMENTS

In accordance with the UNESCO Programme and Budget 2026-2027 (43 C/5), specifically under Major Programme II: Natural Sciences and Major Programme III: Social and Human Sciences, and in support of Output 3.1.SC ("Member States supported in strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystems and their access for all, including the most vulnerable populations, to advance open science, gender equality in science, evidence-based policymaking, and science literacy") and Intersectoral Output 5.3.SHS ("Capacity of Member States, key stakeholders, public awareness and public engagement enhanced on freedom and safety of scientists and scientific research, taking into account gender equality and emergency settings"), the consultant will contribute to the development of a dashboard architecture, data model, and visualization framework for reporting on the implementation of the 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR).

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Sciences (ADG/SCS), the guidance of the Director of the Division for Ethics, Research and Technology (ERT), and the oversight of the Chief of Section, the consultant will report to the Programme Specialist responsible for the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers.

Long Description

In this context, the consultant shall:

a) Analyse and validate quantitative and qualitative data from 62 Member State reports provided by UNESCO on the implementation of the RS|SR received in the context of the 2025 monitoring exercise, ensuring alignment with the survey against which national reports were prepared.

b) Prepare the datasets, metadata and country profiles (for all 62 countries), comparisons (between countries and regions and against the 10 RS|SR key areas), data aggregation, and brief analysis on trends and common challenges required to populate the RS|SR monitoring dashboards drawing on the Open Science Platform/open science dashboards.

Long Description

c) Liaise with the dashboard developer (to be specified by UNESCO) to ensure the compatibility with the RS|SR data model, metadata and indicator structure; the Open Science Platform/open science dashboards (and, if applicable, the GO-SPIN platform), and validate dashboard outputs against analytical requirements.

d) Provide technical contribution on communication about the RS|SR dashboards through the production of appropriate communication tools (including powerpoint presentations, briefs, visuals, web content, etc.) and the convening of promotional workshops targeting different audiences.

e) Liaise with the contractor responsible (to be specified by UNESCO) for the preparation of an analytical report, drawing on country reports on the RS|SR, to ensure consistency between the findings of the analytical report and the data presented in the dashboards and country profiles.

CONTRACT DURATION

8 (Eight) months.

DELIVERABLES

Months 1-6: Dashboard design and development completed, including review, cleaning, and harmonization of data from the 62 national reports; development and testing of dashboard functionalities; incorporation of feedback and delivery of a functional dashboard.

Months 5-8: Data validation and consistency review completed to ensure that dashboard data accurately reflects information contained in the 62 national reports and is consistently reflected in analytical products prepared by UNESCO; provision of supporting data extracts, tables and quality assurance checks as required.

Months 7-8: Communication and dissemination materials developed based on dashboard content, including visualizations, presentations, briefing materials and other communication assets; final dashboard documentation and handover materials submitted.

Payments shall be made upon satisfactory submission and approval of agreed deliverables in accordance with the consultancy contract.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in data science, statistics, information science, social sciences, public policy, science and technology policy, international development, or other relevant fields.

• WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in data analysis, data management, research, policy analysis, programme coordination, or international development;

• Experience in coordinating the development as well as in managing or supporting data platforms, dashboards, databases, or other data visualization and reporting tools (e.g. product owner, project manager or other relevant roles).

• Experience ensuring data quality, validation, and consistency across datasets, reports, and analytical products;

• Experience supporting research publications, monitoring exercises, policy reports, scientific assessments, or international initiatives;

• Experience coordinating with international experts, institutions, and stakeholders;

• Long Description

• SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical, research, and drafting skills;

• Excellent organizational and coordination abilities;

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under tight deadlines;

• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments;

• Possess intermediate to advanced data analysis and visualization skills (e.g. Excel, R, other statistical software such as SPSS), including online collaboration and project management platforms, such as JIRA.

• LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English.

• DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, engineering, data science, science and technology policy, or other relevant quantitatively oriented fields, including social sciences such as economics.

• WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience working within the United Nations system or other international organizations.

• LANGUAGE

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)