OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 13-OCT-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Fast-changing conditions and critical challenges of today โ amongst which global pandemics, climate change, digital transformations, and the interplay of these trends โ require large-scale and future-oriented reforms. Public administrations are under pressure to design and implement such reforms, while simultaneously addressing internal needs and building capacities to prepare themselves for the future. In this context, efforts to recalibrate the engagement of the public administrations with private consulting services and to develop internal/in-house consulting capacities for the design and implementation of reforms are being initiated across countries.
Six Member States (i.e., Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Greece and Latvia) have requested support in addressing the afore-mentioned needs.
Long Description
Submitted and funded through the EUโs Technical Support Instrument, the ensuing multi-country project will be implemented over a period of 26 months by UNESCO with the aim of achieving the following outcomes:
- Approved action plan to establish in-house consulting focusing on a selected service portfolio adapted to each participating Member State;
- Capacity built for the implementation of the action plan in the participating Member States; and
- Increased awareness on the importance of in-house consulting and creation of an EU network of experts.
To this end, UNESCO is organizing teams to support, in conjunction with the central project coordination team at UNESCO Headquarters, country-specific delivery for the 6 participating countries.
The expert will be responsible for delivering technical assistance and capacity development in support of participating Member Statesโ efforts to strengthen internal consulting capacity on the issues of policy evaluation and regulatory impact assessment. Specifically, the expert will:
- Design and develop country-specific training materials tailored to the institutional context of each participating Member State, incorporating state-of-the-art methodologies, tools, and international good practices to support in-government consultancies โ i.e., direct beneficiaries of the project โ in the development of their internal services on the issues of policy evaluation and regulatory impact assessment (RIA);
- Organise and deliver six structured capacity-building training programmes (one per participating Member State) for core teams of the in-government consultancies and relevant experts, with a focus on practical application of policy evaluation and RIA in their internal consulting work to ministries and departments across the national governments;
- Provide five tailored on-the-job support sessions per Member State, working directly with beneficiary authorities to consolidate learning, address country-specific challenges, and embed expertise within their in-government consultancies on the issue of policy evaluation and RIA;
- Draft six country-specific reports, in close collaboration with UNESCO experts and the UNESCO Headquarters project coordination team, summarising the training activities, on-the-job support provided, lessons learned, and tailored recommendations for institutionalising internal consulting capacity in policy evaluation and RIA;
- Ensure quality assurance of all deliverables, including iterative revision and finalisation of outputs based on feedback from UNESCO, national counterparts, and other project partners;
- Contribute to cross-country learning, by identifying transferable practices, challenges, and recommendations emerging from the six participating Member States, to inform UNESCOโs broader programme on strengthening internal consulting capacity in government.
The following are to be delivered in/for each participating Member State:
Deliverables
Estimated delivery
Training materials
Month 2
Policy evaluation trainings
From month 2
Technical support for capacity building
From month 2
Implementation reports
Month 8
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The expert must demonstrate proven expertise in the theory and practice of policy evaluation and regulatory impact assessment (RIA), including the ability to apply systematic, evidence-based methodologies to assess the design, implementation, and effects of public policies and regulations, and to translate these approaches into practical tools for government decision-making. The expert shall equally demonstrate state of art knowledge and the ability to trains government officials on the afore-mentioned topics.
Long Description
Academic Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in economics, public administration, governance, public policy, knowledge-policy nexus, evidence-based policy making; PhD would be considered an asset.
Professional Experience
- Track record, with minimum 10 years of experience, in policy evaluation and regulatory impact assessments, public administration, good governance, knowledge-policy nexus, institutional development and capacity building or similar areas;
- Demonstrated experience in conducting stakeholder trainings and capacity building exercises;
- Experience in providing tailored, high-expertise technical support and implementing capacity building projects for the benefit of public administrations/governments; and
Skills
Excellent training and capacity building skills; Experience in policy evaluation and regulatory impact assessments, including the design and implementation of strategies to enhance institutional capacity; Solid advocacy, communication and presentation skills adapted to technical and general purposes. Familiarity with EU-funded project, including multi-country technical support, considered an advantage; Strong interpersonal skills, including interacting with various actors and working effectively and respectfully in a complex environment on sensitive issues; and Understanding and adherence to the UN principles.
Language
Excellent writing skills in English.TERMS & APPLICATION PROCESS
Duration of Contract: 9 months
Interested candidates should submit their applications to most@unesco.org with copy to c.hathaway@unesco.org.
The application should consist of:
Personal CV; A cover letter/statement indicating how their qualifications and experiences make them suitable for the assignment; and A written technical and financial proposal comprising: 1) the proposed approach for the undertaken of the assignment in line with the terms of reference; and 2) the amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an 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 recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.