As reflected in the United Nations Secretary General’s ‘Our Common Agenda’, futures literacy and foresight are crucial for contemporary government and global policymaking. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Section for Research, Policy and Foresight (RPF/SHS) and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (RPF/SHS), this role will support the development, management and implementation of UNESCO’s Futures Literacy workstream, including its foresight activities.
The Project Officer will have a primary role in designing, organization and implementation of futures literacy and foresight projects with range of global, regional and national stakeholders, for example, in regions such as Africa, the Arab States and Asia Pacific. The role will also manage key activities and events hosted and organised by the workstream, including for World Futures Day.
The Project Officer will bring high level expertise to projects and skills to establish synergies across activities and new opportunities for collaboration. For example, s/he will be expected to play a central role in futures literacy and foresight research projects, including methodological research, and work directly with UNESCO Chairs and other research organisations.
The duties of the Project Officer, based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, will include the following:
Manage Delivery of Futures Literacy and Foresight Activities: Design and organise futures literacy and foresight laboratories and integrated research and other implementation activities with range of stakeholders. Lead missions to support Laboratories all over the world, especially in Africa, Arab States and Asia Pacific. Manage key activities and events hosted and organised by the workstream, including for World Futures Day.
Define, coordinate, supervise and ensure the delivery of work performed by consultants, including researchers, designers and facilitators for futures literacy and foresight activities, including Laboratories.
Nurture strategic networks for futures literacy and foresight, through engaging new stakeholders, including with the UNESCO Chairs, to harness knowledge, research and innovation; disseminate information, and foster additional research partnerships.
Support the design of proposals by developing and drafting integrated project proposals; presenting futures literacy and foresight projects to targeted audiences and disseminating information about initiatives; and interacting with potential partners and co-designers as part of the collaborative process leading to the finalisation of proposals for projects.
Draft reports, memos, and implement actions following events and activities.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences.
Work Experience:
A minimum of four years of experience in the field of social sciences, including strong experience delivering proposals, leading projects and teams, and designing and delivering multi-stakeholder exercises, of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level.
Technical experience as a co-designer and facilitator of futures and foresight activities such as laboratories, facilitation experience, and experience using existing and developing new futures and foresight tools and methods.
Skills:
An understanding of resource mobilization activities, including concept and proposal development.
Excellent analytical skills.
Excellent drafting skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
Ability to work independently and with tight deadlines.
Ability to plan, prioritize and organize own work and to demonstrate initiative.
Ability to establish excellent working relationships within a multicultural team.
Good IT skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English.
