Futures Literacy Project coordinator in the Gulf

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Futures Literacy

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-04-2021

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Background

Over the last 8 years, UNESCO has pursued efforts to disseminate Futures Literacy worldwide, developing a Global Futures Literacy Network around 20 UNESCO Chairs in Anticipatory Studies, Futures Studies and Futures Literacy. Invited to lead the UN HLCP’s Foresight Network, UNESCO works together with governments, civil society and the private sector around a series of projects, on climate change and long-termism in Europe, on decolonised futures in Africa, design and intergenerational dialogue in Asia or resilience in the Americas. The last Futures Literacy Summit, which gathered 9000+ people online in December 2020, was a milestone to express UNESCO partners’ commitment to the development and diffusion of Futures Literacy as an essential competency for the realization of humanity’s aspirations in the 21^st Century. 

In 2020, UNESCO Futures Literacy set in motion several projects with a number of partners to disseminate Futures Literacy in the Gulf Region. These partners include Prince Mohamad bin Fahd University, ICESCO, the Dubai Future Foundation, the UAE Ministry of Culture, and the World Futures Studies Federation.

Work Assignment

Under the supervision of the Head of Futures Literacy, the Consultant will be the UNESCO SHS focal point for the following projects as well as the lead for taking advantage of synergistic inter-connections across these projects::

• Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU): on the basis of a partnership agreement signed with PMU there will be a series of activities that cultivate Futures Literacy at the University, in the region and worldwide. The consultant will be expected to ensure a strong working relationship with PMU and contribute to the design and implementation of joint efforts involving Futures Literacy, the Global Futures Literacy Network, and the UNESCO Chairs in Futures Studies/Futures Literacy. These joint activities might include conferences, seminars, Futures Literacy Laboratories, publications, teaching and community engagement – as laid out in the PMU UNESCO Chair in Transitional and Intergenerational Anticipation. The consultant will also ensure cross-fertilization between the work of PMU and the Global Futures Literacy Network that includes the UNESCO Chairs, the Dubai Futures Foundation, ICESCO and other Futures Literacy projects in Africa and around the world.

• Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) – UNESCO Futures Literacy Hub: on the basis of a partnership agreement signed with the DFF a series of activities will be initiated in order to cultivate Futures Literacy in the UAE, the Gulf Region and worldwide. These activities will focus on co-designing learning-by-doing Futures Literacy Laboratories for a wide range of communities. The consultant is expected to work closely with the DFF to put into place the partnership projects that will implement the Hub’s mandate, including collaboration with PMU and ICESCO as well as other members of the Global Futures Literacy Network.

• The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO): the consultant will assist with the finalisation of a partnership agreement with ICESCO that aims to create a strong capability within ICESCO to design and implement Futures Literacy Laboratories (FLL) around the world. The consultant will play a central role in advancing this project once the partnership agreement is in place by helping to organise and facilitate the initial training of a core Futures Literacy team within ICESCO. This training will occur largely through the design and implementation of FLL, in collaboration with members of the Global Futures Literacy Network, including PMU and DFF.

Reports would be expected every month on the follow-through and the evolution of each project, including specific contributions made to assist with project implementation and cross-project interaction.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 4 (four) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of Futures Studies and/or Foresight, including the design and implementation of ‘futures thinking’ exercises and the use of various ‘futures’ heuristics, methods and tools.

• Minimum 2 (two) years of experience as a co-designer and facilitator of Futures Literacy Labs and/or other collective intelligence knowledge creation (CIKC) processes.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Fluency in French is an advantage.

• Advanced higher education degree in social sciences and humanities, including Futures, International Relations, and History;

• Excellent aptitude to strategic thinking and quality decision-making;

• Excellent relationship management skills: specifically, with partners and donors;

• Excellent analytical skills;

• Excellent drafting skills;

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills;

• Ability to identify key stakeholders and build partnerships;

• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise work with tight deadlines and to demonstrate initiative;

• Ability to establish excellent working relationships within a multicultural team;

• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience working with the Network of UNESCO Chairs in Futures Studies.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Working experience with an International Organization or UN system;
• Mastery of French is an advantage;
• Outstanding knowledge of Futures Studies and collective intelligence knowledge creation processes, specifically Futures Literacy Laboratories, including design, small-group facilitation, lead facilitation, reporting, and evaluation;
• Experience in nurturing and expanding an international ‘community of practice’;
• Flexibility working with various stakeholders under tight timelines;
• Prior knowledge of UNESCO’s administrative procedures is a plus.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document).
Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work.
• A brief proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment and the proposed fee.
  • Preference for the contractual arrangement can be specified in the proposal between a service contract and a consultancy, provided the Candidate has a social security number in France.
  • Permutability of certain missions included in the other job position available at the FL Unit is possible, please specify in your proposal.

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 Success Factor.  Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at futures@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 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 applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.

UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States (last update here) 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.