Individual Consultant (Ocean Knowledge and Information Management)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15/02/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and Rationale

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) is the United Nations body for ocean science, ocean observation, ocean services and capacity development. Its mission is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building to learn more about the nature and resources of the oceans and coastal areas, and to apply this knowledge to improve management, sustainable development and protection of the marine environment and the decision-making processes of States. IOC has been designated as the coordinating agency for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (Hereafter referred to as “Ocean Decade”).

The UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) is the regional intergovernmental body of IOC for the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. The Sub-Commission carries forward the IOC’s mission in the region, advancing ocean knowledge, fostering international cooperation, and catalyzing ocean science solutions for sustainable development of marine and coastal resources.

While serving as the IOC Regional Secretariat for the Sub-Commission, the WESTPAC Office assumes additional function as the Decade Coordination Office (DCO) responsible for coordinating Decade Actions across all Ocean Decade Challenges in the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. Hosted by the Government of Thailand, the Office is situated in the Government Complex Building B, Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok. It is administratively attached to the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, facilitating efficient coordination and collaboration in achieving the objectives set forth by the IOC and UNESCO.

Objective of this assignment

In response to Member States’ growing demand for effective exchange of ocean knowledge and information generated across the wide range of WESTPAC programmes and activities. We are seeking a qualified consultant for Ocean Knowledge and Information Management. The consultant will play a key role in collecting, processing, organizing, archiving, and disseminating knowledge and information related to the Sub-Commission’s programme and activities, including those UN Ocean Decade Actions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok), and the direct supervision of the Head of the WESTPAC Office/Decade Coordination Office for the region, the consultant shall perform the following tasks:

The Individual Consultant shall perform the following specific tasks:

• Ensure the systematic collection, organization, and digital archiving of programme and activity information, documents, knowledge products, and communication materials.
• Support the dissemination of knowledge on the ocean and ocean science in the Western Pacific and adjacent areas, including by preparing, organizing, and uploading relevant programme/activity information to relevant website and via relevant communication channels.
• Develop communication and visibility materials, including summaries, reports, outreach products, video, and web content, to effectively present ocean related activities, programme outputs, and key messages to diverse audiences.
• Assist with coordination and communication with Member States, partners, and relevant stakeholders to ensure their sustained engagement in WESTPAC programmes and events and ensure tangible knowledge outputs.
• Provide communication, documentation, and coordination support to ongoing programmes and activities, including contributing to communication materials, functional specifications, and reporting.
• Perform other functions as requested by the Head of the WESTPAC Office to facilitate programme delivery, knowledge dissemination, and stakeholder engagement.

To ensure the effective delivery of technical and operational support, it is preferred that the consultant carries out the assignment in person at the office.

Travel 

The Consultant may be required to travel on missions directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The Consultant should travel economy class and receive DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Consultant is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations.  Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. The Consultant is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission. 

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Monthly progress reports outlining completed coordination tasks, progress toward agreed milestones, and actions taken to support the timely dissemination of ocean and ocean-science knowledge across the Western Pacific and adjacent areas;
• Event documentation packages for meetings and activities organized by the WESTPAC Office, including summary reports and essential video-based documentation, prepared, organized, and disseminated under the supervision of the Head of the WESTPAC Office/Decade Coordination Office;
• A consolidated and regularly updated digital archive of programme and activity information, documents, and communication materials, ensuring systematic organization and easy retrieval for the Office.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in ocean science, ocean governance, environmental policy, international relations, or related fields. A background in ocean policy, science-policy interface, or sustainable development will be considered a strong advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven experience in policy analysis, governance frameworks, multilateral processes, or intergovernmental cooperation, particularly in contexts involving Member State engagement, regional coordination, or UN system mechanisms.

Skills and competencies

• Initiative-taking and ability to manage competing priorities, organize and prioritize heavy workloads to meet established deadlines, with a strong capacity for accuracy, close attention to detail, and quality of work.
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences and support science–policy dialogue.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize scientific, technical, or programme information into accessible communication materials for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.

• Familiarity with digital communication tools, content management systems, and knowledge dissemination practices (e.g., WordPress, Photoshop, Lightroom, Figma, Canva) will be an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and intergovernmental environments, maintaining productive coordination with Member States, experts, and institutional partners.

 Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

Desirable Qualifications

Work Experience

• Previous experience with UN agencies or international organization would be an asset.

Languages

• Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and upload the following documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form.

Before uploading the file, please order the documents in following order:

• A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
• Written technical and financial proposals (in English):
  • Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 800 words) and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and
  • The proposed monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD. Travel expenses should be drawn up separately as part of the financial proposal.
• Employment History Form
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

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.

Assessment

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Note:  

• 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.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at iocwestpac@unesco.org

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 a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

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 Organization best value for money.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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