OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Field Office
Duty Station: Bangkok
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Bangkok Time) : 28-JUL-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Unit in the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is mandated to promote and advance social inclusion, diversity, youthโs participation, gender equality, and ethical standards related to new technologies, in Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Singapore, and indirectly in Viet Nam and Cambodia, in cooperation with the country offices and the antenna office.
Against a backdrop of rapid modernization and urbanization, multifaceted social transformation, and increasing social inequalities in South-East Asia, UNESCO seeks to harness the unique power of the Social and Human Sciences to develop relevant approaches to supporting evidence-based policy formulation, managing diversity, building sustainable peace and social cohesion, and promoting rights and ethics in the areas of science and technology.
The consultant will be responsible of:
1. Under the Ethics of Science and Technology Programme, advise national institutions in Thailand in promoting regional and global cooperation around AI Ethical Governance Practices as an outcome of the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI (June 2025). Also support the technical work at the national level in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam in implementing the AI Ethics Readiness Assessment (RAM) recommendations.
2. Under the Youth and Sport Programme, develop pilot interventions to showcase youthโs engagement in developing critical thinking skills, notably through philosophy with youth. Also conceptualise and design the 2025 international Seminar on Martial Arts and Youthโs Sustainable Future, under the framework of UNESCOโs Fit-for-Life Programme, in partnership with the UNESCO Cat.2 Centre on Martial Arts and Youth Development (Chungju, Korea).
3. Under the Management of Social Transformation (MOST) Programme, consolidate the Gender Studies mapping in view of establishing a network of academic institutions in this field. Also support the conceptualisation of the World Humanities Forum (Korea, November 2025), and the AASSREC/UNESCO Regional Conference on Social Science Research (India, December 2025).
Long Description
TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES
Deliverables
The consultant will be paid by monthly at the end of each month after submitted each monthly report.
1st Deliverable : September 2025 Monthly Report and programme of the ICM seminar by 30 September 2025
2nd Deliverable : October 2025 Report of the ICM seminar by 31 October 2025
3rd Deliverable : November 2025 Monthly Report and Detailed list of experts for the World Humanities Forum by 30 November 2025
4th Deliverable : December 2025 Report of the Regional Social Sciences Conference by 31 December 2025
5th Deliverable : January 2026 Monthly Report and concept note of PwC training by 31 January 2026
6th Deliverable : February 2026 Report Fit for Life (F4L) proposal Gender studies proposal by 28 February 2026
7th Deliverable : March 2026 Monthly Report and Gender studies proposal by 31 March 2026 8th Deliverable : April 2026 Report of RAM follow-up report 1 by 30 April 2026
9th Deliverable : May 2026 Report of RAM follow-up report country 2 by 31 May 2026
10th Deliverable : June 2026 Report of RAM follow-up report country 3 by 30 June 2026
11th Deliverable : July 2026 Report of RAM follow-up report country 4 by 31 July 2026
Timeframe
From: 1 September 2025 โ 31 July 2026
Required Qualifications
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences and Humanities, philosophy, sociology, history, gender studies, or related field.
Work experience:
โข Preferably some professional experience in social development work, research, policy advice, or related areas.
Competencies and skills:
โข Good analytical skills
โข Good organizational and project design skills
โข Excellent (oral and written) communication skills, including the ability to draft and produce a variety of written material in a clear and concise manner
โข Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English is a requirement.
Desirable Qualifications
Work experience
โข Experience in UNESCOโs Programmes and/or normative tools in the field of Social and Human Sciences.
โข Experience with the United Nations System, multilateral settings/cooperation and development.
โข Experience with inter-agency mechanisms of the United Nations System.
Competencies and skills:
โข Good knowledge of UNESCOโs work, and familiarity with Social and Human Sciences Sector activities.
โข Knowledge of the geopolitical context of the region.
Languages
Knowledge of an official language of the UN is an asset.
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)Building partnerships (M)Making quality decisions (M)Strategic thinking (M)Managing performance (M)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should click on โApply Nowโ, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, refer the extra pages with the following required information, and send these attachments via e-mail: shs.bgk@unesco.org and hr.bgk@unesco.org
I. Technical Proposal consisting of:
โข An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
โข Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 1-2 pages, A4 pages)
โข A workplan with proposed timeframe to achieve the tasks
โข A list of associated experts (if applicable) who will contribute to specific aspects of the assignment, and comments on the Terms of Reference, if any (in brief),
II. Financial proposals:
โข The proposed daily or monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars only. Please show any travel costs separately.
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English.
Assessment
โข Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
โข Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview. Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English.
Note:
โข Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
โข Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at hr.bgk@unesco.org.
UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.
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 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.
Footer
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 underยญ 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.
UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.