Title: SHS Consultant
Type of Contract: IndividualConsultant (Mid-Level)
No of Incumbent: 1
Organizational Unit: Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia
Primary Location: Office-based
Recruitment open to: Only locally resident nationals of China may apply for this post
Duration of the Contract: 1 year, based on deliverables
Deadline (midnight, local time): 14 May 2023
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority and supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia (to the People’s Republic of China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia and the Republic of Korea), based in Beijing, China, the individual consultant will contribute to the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Programme for the countries represented by the office.
Additionally, in November 2021, 193 Member States of UNESCO adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. This global standard aims to leverage the positive impact of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Countries around the world are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO supporting them through various capacity-building efforts.
The consultant will prepare background documents as contribution to the United Nations Country Team's (UNCT) programmatic work, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025) for the People’s Republic of China and Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda in the countries covered by the office. Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Beijing Multisectoral Regional Office, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Prepare a detailed workplan for the year that contributes to the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on SHS programmes in the countries covered by the office, in line with the UNESCO Programme and Budget document (C/5), the UNESCO Country Programming Documents, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025) and other common UN strategic country instruments, particularly through research and reporting on policies, technical reports, and preparing background documentation that will facilitate networking with relevant stakeholders in the SHS Sector’s fields of competence.
2. Conduct desk reviews/literature reviews including formal and non-formal data and sources of information, through their connections and networks to access formal data sets and where feasible/relevant analyze data from these. Provide strategic evidence-based data and reports to the Director that will guide the office’s operational advice to Governments in SHS thematic areas. Provide input, including verified statistics for the preparation of reports and briefings on the implementation of programmes and projects.
3. Develop detailed concept papers for strategic partnerships that will allow the office to effectively and mobilize extra-budgetary resources to reinforce the Regular Programme, and promote partnerships on other SHS Sector priority areas and in line with UNESCO’s Priority for Africa initiative.
4. Through well-researched policy and strategic planning documents as outcomes, help in highlighting and increasing the relevance and the impact of SHS programs on the ground, including the flagships: “Recommendation on Ethics of AI” and “Ethics of Neurotechnologies” and general cross-cutting inclusion of people with disabilities.
5. In coordination with the Director, participate in national and regional multi-stakeholder consultations to inform the comprehensive AI strategy and to provide an evidence-based framework on the ethical governance of AI, with short-and long-term priorities identified, and using the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI as a blueprint.
6. With guidance by the Director, help to develop practical concepts for synergies to operationalise the Recommendation into national institutional and regulatory frameworks and to build consensus on the shared vision for AI for the regional office countries.
7. Ensure that all documentation helps the UNESCO Beijing Regional Office tailor the policy reform and institutional capacity building efforts, policies, and regulations to address people-centered challenges to building inclusive societies. The SHS mandate includes tackling economic inequality of income and inequality of opportunity, as well as promoting social inclusion and gender equality to the needs of different countries.
8. Submit detailed monthly and quarterly technical reports, and a final consolidated academic style implementation report including narratives of the different activities and reports with disaggregated data for gender and people living with disabilities, including challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations.
REQUIRED ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE
An advanced universitydegree (Master’s or equivalent; Ph.D. highly desirable)in associatedfields of social and human sciences, political science or a related discipline.
A minimum of seven (7)years of progressive relevant academic and professional experience in the areasof social and human sciences at national and international level and internationalcooperation programmes.
Proven evidence ofpublications in one or more of the following thematic areas: management ofsocial transformations, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, artificialintelligence, bioethics and ethics of science and technology, with the incorporationof gender, youth and disability inclusion in these initiatives.
The consultant mustinclude a hyperlink to published, peer-reviewed research and policy papers andexhibit excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of both English and Mandarin.
As an individual consultant, this contract does not include any leavedays or social/health allowances. Office presence is required for the durationof this contract. Depending on experience, the budgeted maximum monthly fee forthis consultancy is USD6000 a month, paid in local currency.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit to UNESCO Beijing office generic email jobvacancy@unesco.org the following documents by 14 May 2023 at midnight (Beijing time):
- Application letter, with an indication of minimum acceptable monthly fee
- CV in English including references and hyperlinks to academic and professional publications.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that only shortlisted consultants will be further contacted and those in the final selection step will be subject to reference and professional document verifications based on the information provided in the application.
IN-PERSON ORAL PANEL INTERVIEWS AND A WRITTEN TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT MAY BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF THE CONSULTANT.
UNESCO is committed to promote geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.