Senior Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 1CAUIS0110PA

Grade: P-4

Parent Sector: Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Montreal

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 18/09/2026

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

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the official statistical agency of UNESCO and the United Nations depository for internationally comparable statistics in education, science, culture and communication. As the custodian agency for a large proportion of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators in education and an active contributor to international statistical development, the UIS sets international standards, classifications and methodologies, and supports Member States and partners in strengthening data production, analysis and use for evidence-informed policymaking.

In response to evolving global priorities and the approaching horizon of the post-2030 development agenda, the UIS is strengthening its capacity in strategic foresight, research and methodological innovation. The Foresight, Research and Methodology (FRM) Section leads this work, positioning the Institute as a reference in anticipatory data systems and ensuring that statistical production and analytical work remain aligned with future policy demands, global risks and cross-sectoral transformations such as well-being, climate change, digital transformation and skills transitions.

The present position is established under a time-limited, project-funded initiative to build and institutionalize a strategic foresight capability within the UIS, generating the strategic intelligence and analytical evidence base that underpins institutional planning, indicator innovation and UIS engagement in post-2030 monitoring discussions.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UIS and the direct supervision of the Chief, Foresight, Research and Methodology Section (P-5), the Senior Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights) serves as the lead technical officer for strategic foresight, future-oriented policy analysis and emerging measurement agendas within the Institute. The incumbent supervises the Project Officer (Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights, P-3) and other project and general service staff working on foresight and country insights within the Section.

The incumbent designs and implements the UIS strategic foresight framework, leads the analytical work supporting UIS contributions to post-2030 monitoring and indicator innovation, provides analytical leadership on national data ecosystems and benchmark monitoring, and drives the integration of anticipatory approaches into UIS planning, programming and product development. The incumbent represents the Institute in international foresight, statistical and policy fora and builds partnerships that extend the reach and credibility of UIS foresight work.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Foresight Function – Design and Delivery (indicative: 30%)

• Design, implement and progressively institutionalize the UIS strategic foresight framework, including methodologies, processes, governance arrangements and a recurrent horizon-scanning cycle across UIS mandate areas. 
• Produce forward-looking analytical products — horizon scans, trend analyses, scenario exercises and strategic intelligence notes — to inform decision-making by UIS senior management. 
• Identify emerging risks, opportunities and data gaps relevant to the UIS mandate, and translate foresight findings into explicit implications for indicator development, data systems and statistical production priorities.

2. Post-2030 Agenda and Indicator Innovation (indicative: 20%)

• Lead the analytical work underpinning UIS contributions to discussions on education monitoring beyond 2030, including the synthesis of lessons learned from SDG 4 implementation, future monitoring requirements and emerging measurement priorities. 
• Steer the conceptual development of forward-looking indicator frameworks, including in new domains such as well-being, digital transformation, climate change and lifelong learning. 
• Advise on the alignment of UIS statistical outputs with evolving global policy agendas and international reporting frameworks and contribute to global discussions on next-generation monitoring architectures.

Long Description

3. Applied Research and Analytical Leadership (indicative: 20%)

• Set the analytical direction for, and quality-assure, work on national benchmark-setting, benchmark monitoring, scorecards and related country engagement mechanisms. 
• Lead analysis of the relationship between national data ecosystems, monitoring frameworks and policy priorities, and identify opportunities to strengthen alignment between global monitoring requirements and country data needs. 
• Assess emerging measurement domains, technologies and methodological innovations, and develop technically feasible approaches for future indicator development within UIS statistical frameworks.

4. Strategic Integration and Institutional Transformation (indicative: 15%)

• Embed foresight into UIS corporate planning, programming and product development cycles, including medium-term programming frameworks. 
• Provide strategic guidance to education, science, culture and communication teams on emerging policy trends, future data needs and implications for statistical production and programme priorities. 
• Strengthen coherence across UIS sectors and workstreams and build internal capability through training, tools and guidance so that anticipatory methods are sustained beyond the project period. 
• Supervise and provide day-to-day technical guidance to the Project Officer (P-3) and other project and general service staff working on strategic foresight and country insights, including allocation and review of work, quality clearance of outputs, and input to their performance planning and appraisal.

Long Description

5. External Engagement and Partnerships (indicative: 10%)

• Represent the UIS in international fora, expert groups and inter-agency initiatives related to foresight, data and policy. 
• Lead consultations with Member States and partners to inform future-oriented measurement frameworks. 
• Establish and maintain partnerships with foresight networks, research institutions and global initiatives, contributing to positioning the UIS as a reference institution in strategic foresight for development data.

6. Quality Assurance, Monitoring and Reporting (indicative: 5%)

• Monitor the delivery, technical quality and uptake of foresight outputs in UIS planning, programme design and indicator development processes. 
• Report periodically on the contribution of the foresight workstream to UIS strategic positioning and external engagement, against the project results framework.

7. Other Duties

• Support the implementation of the work programme of the Foresight, Research and Methodology Section, participate in relevant UIS activities and undertake other duties as required to ensure the successful delivery of programme objectives.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, public policy, data science, education, development studies or a related field combining quantitative analysis with a policy or strategic perspective.

Work Experience

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in strategic analysis, policy research, foresight, statistics or international development analytics, of which at least three (3) years acquired at international level. 
• Experience leading analytical or policy-oriented work related to international development monitoring, statistical systems, education policy or global development agendas. 
• Experience managing complex multi-stakeholder analytical initiatives involving governments, international organizations and technical experts. 
• Experience producing strategic analyses that have informed institutional planning, policy dialogue or programme development at senior level. 
• Experience supervising or managing the work of professional and/or general service staff, including allocation and quality review of work and input to performance management.

Long Description

Skills and Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and systems analysis capability, with the ability to reason rigorously about long-range and uncertain futures. 
• Excellent ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources and generate defensible forward-looking insight under conditions of uncertainty. 
• Sound understanding of statistical systems, international statistical standards and the role of data in policy and decision-making.
• Demonstrated capacity to influence senior decision-making and to communicate technical analysis persuasively to non-technical and policy audiences. 
• Sound understanding of global development agendas and policy dynamics. 
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills. 
• Proven ability to work effectively in complex, multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments and to build and sustain productive partnerships. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver within established deadlines.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialization or additional certified training in strategic foresight, futures studies, anticipatory governance, scenario planning or policy analysis.

Work Experience

• Experience applying strategic foresight, horizon-scanning or scenario development methodologies in an institutional setting.
• Experience with international organizations, governments or multi-stakeholder platforms, including engagement in global policy and agenda-setting processes such as SDG or post-2030 discussions. 
• Experience relating to SDG monitoring, education data systems or national statistical development.
• Experience representing an institution in international expert groups or inter-agency mechanisms. 
• Experience using statistical and data management software such as Python, SQL, R, Stata or equivalent analytical tools.

Long Description

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of education-sector data systems and policy processes.

Languages

• Working knowledge of French (oral and written). 
• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 115 964 USD   

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 to 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.