UNESCO Science Report Global Survey
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Natural Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 17-JUL-2023
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Within the framework of the UNESCO Science Report, under the overall authority of the Assistant-Director General a.i. of the Natural Science Sector, under the overall guidance of the Director of the Division for Science Policy and Basic Sciences (SC/PBS) and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Section of Science Technology and Innovation Policy, the Consultant shall conduct a global consultation survey on the UNESCO Science Report.
Context
The World Science Report, published between 1993 and 1998, was renamed the UNESCO Science Report, and the first edition was published in November 2005. The UNESCO Science Report (USR) has since been published in November 2010, November 2015 and June 2021.
The current funding and staff capacity allocated to the production of the next edition of the UNESCO Science Report within the Science Sector and specifically the Division for Science Policy and Basic Sciences, in addition to the current situation at the UNESCO Institute for Statistics which limits the availability of statistics required, will significantly impact the production of the next UNESCO Science Report. These factors necessitate a global consultation survey be carried out to collect and assess the feedback from the target audience and relevant stakeholders on the best way forward for the next edition of the report.
Long Description
Target audience of survey:
UNESCO Member States; science funders; scientific organisations; regional bodies such as the European Commission (Directorates for research and innovation and for international development cooperation), African Union, UN agencies; etc.
Areas/questions to include in the survey
The survey should include, inter alia, a focus on:
- Content: themes explored, information and data provided on trends, developments and issues in science governance and scientific endeavour, geographical coverage, the balance in coverage between developed and developing countries, etc
- Dissemination and communication
- The report’s current format (length, style, shorter and lighter knowledge products, etc)
- Frequency of publication of these individual products.
- Type and nature of data to be included in the report
Long Description
Assignments
The consultant will undertake the following activities:
- After familiarisation with the most recent UNESCO Science Reports and related communication products, including interviews with the Editor in Chief of the 2021 edition, undertake a desktop review of the Evaluation of the UNESCO Science Report by the IOS Evaluation Unit (2017), the Internal evaluation of the project 2021 USR by the Foundation Ipsen, and Google Scholar and ResearchGate, the most recent discussions of the Executive Board and other relevant sources to identify the most significant and relevant issues regarding the recent reports.
- Based on the desktop study and review of information, develop a first draft of a Global Survey and methodology to disseminate the survey to ensure the best possible response level with the target audience. The survey must address the Areas/questions to include in Survey indicated above as well as those identified in the desktop study.
- Create a survey platform in accordance with UNESCO data protection policy and launch the survey with follow-up to ensure good response rate.
- Collect and analyse the data collected.
- Prepare a report of the survey data. Prepare a roadmap for the UNESCO Science Report with recommendations for its preparation for a) the next edition of the report and b) a longer-term perspective.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Natural Sciences, Education, Social Sciences, development studies, economics, science policy, or applied statistics/data science.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- At least 4 years of professional experience with progressive responsibility as a researcher and/or analyst working with survey, and/or assessment data relating to Science Technology and Innovation.
- Experience working with and reconciling data from multiple sources.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Excellent data collection and analysis skills.
- Strong analytical and drafting skills for a variety of audiences.
- Ability to present research findings and complex relationships clearly in graphs, figures and in compelling narratives tailored to a variety of audiences,
- Excellent IT skills to carry out the work.
- Demonstrated capacity to work under tight deadlines.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in Natural Sciences, Education, Social Sciences, development studies, economics, science policy, or other related natural science discipline, or applied statistics/data science.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and submit the following documents:
- A letter of interest explaining how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the position.
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Technical and financial proposals indicating monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above, including travel and other related costs. (Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered)
- The approach he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO.
Your application should be submitted in just one file with all the documents required (pdf format) to be uploaded in the application section “Employment History Form”
To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
Please note:
- That all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.
- The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
- UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
- Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
