Consultant - Research Coordinator for the Futures of Education Programme

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Affiliated personnel

Duration of contract : 9 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20/02/2026

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Aims and scope of the Futures of Education Programme

Launched in 2019 in response to the UN Secretary-General’s call for UNESCO to lead the global debate on the future of education, UNESCO’s Futures of Education Programme steers a global effort to rethink how knowledge, learning and education can shape more just, equitable and sustainable futures for humanity and the planet. Guided by the vision outlined in the report of the International Commission on the Futures of Education Reimagining Our Futures Together: A new social contract for education, the Futures of Education Programme aims to inspire ideas, foresight, vision and research that strengthens education’s transformative role. 

Long Description

Overview of tasks

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division for the Future of Learning and Innovation (FLI), the incumbent will work closely with members of the Division on supporting the strategic development and governance of the Futures of Education Programme, managing IdeasLAB, leading publications, advancing debate on education post-2030, and building community engagement. The role will contribute to strengthening the Programme’s intellectual foundations and its engagement in global consultations on the futures of education.

The programme therefore requires an experienced and qualified specialist to carry out the following functions:

1. Focal Point for Advisory Group r Group | Support the governance of the Futures of Education Programme. Act as the focal point for its Advisory Group. Coordinate quarterly meetings, ensure the preparation of agendas, briefings, and other materials, and follow the decisions and the integration of Advisory Group’s insights into Programme activities, plans and workstreams.


2. Managing Editor of IdeasLAB | Coordinate the overall solicitation, review, selection, publication, and dissemination of weekly think pieces to offer fresh insights and provocations about the futures of education, contributed by a diverse range of constituencies in education from a wide range of countries, epistemic perspectives, and cultures. 


3. Production of two stand-alone publications | Lead the development and publication of two volumes of selected think pieces with original framing and analysis: (1) “The Algorithm in the Classroom: AI and the Futures of Education” (working title), anticipated for 7 September 2026 (Digital Learning Week), and (2) “The future of International Cooperation in Education” (working title), anticipated for 2 December 2026 (World Futures Day).


4. Coordinate Post-2030 Discussion ERF Paper Series and Co-author one Paper | (a) Coordinate the development a dedicated series of discussion papers, to be published within the Education, Research and Foresight (ERF) Working Paper series, to advance debate on education in the global development agenda beyond 2030. (b) Co-author one discussion paper with the Director of FLI.


5. Lead point of contact for “Futures of Education Narratives” research project | Develop concept note and TORs for researchers to undertake literature review for a better understanding of the explicit and implicit assumptions about the futures of education in academic and policy discourses is key to informing the transformation of education.


6. Community engagement | Produce a regular newsletter or bulletin that disseminates new content, announcements, and events from the Programme, and build a growing network of individuals and institutions who are engaged and committed to the Programme’s vision.

 In addition to the above-listed functions, additional duties may be assigned to support other Programme initiatives, events and emerging priorities.

Long Description

Deliverables

April 2026

• Develop and release Ideas LAB call for think pieces on “The Future of Teachers and Teaching”


• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (international cooperation series)


• Select and onboard researcher for study “Futures of Education Narratives”


• Circulate “Futures of Education” Bulletin #2

May 2026

• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (international cooperation series)


• Supervise and approve “Futures of Education Narratives” Progress report #1 – Research design and methodological approach


• Produce ERF Paper #1

June 2026 

• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (international cooperation series)


• Assemble meeting materials and logistics for Advisory Group Meeting #2


• Disseminate meeting notes, decisions and outcomes from Advisory Group Meeting #2


• Supervise and approve “Futures of Education Narratives” Progress report #2 – analytic framework and literature review progress


• Circulate “Futures of Education” Bulletin #3

July 2026

• Produce ERF Paper #2


• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (future of teaching series)


• Supervise and approve “Futures of Education Narratives” Progress report #3 – draft report and feedback

August 2026 (includes 2 weeks leave)

• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (future of teaching series)


• Design workshop for Digital Learning Week (DLW) 2026


• Circulate “Futures of Education” Bulletin #4

September 2026

• Deliver a workshop for Digital Learning Week (DLW) 2026


• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (future of teaching series)


• Release Ideas LAB call for think pieces (possible topics: meaningful assessment, meaningful youth participation)


• Supervise and approve “Futures of Education Narratives” Progress report #4 – Final report delivered to FLI

October 2026

• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (future of teaching series)


• Assemble meeting materials and logistics for Advisory Group Meeting #3


• Disseminate meeting notes, decisions and outcomes from Advisory Group Meeting #3


• Circulate “Futures of Education” Bulletin #5

November 2026

• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (future of teaching series)


• Publication and dissemination of “Futures of Education Narratives” study


• Produce ERF Paper #3

December 2026

• Publish stand-alone volume on “The future of international cooperation in education” for World Futures Day 2026


• Produce 2-4 Ideas LAB think pieces (future of teaching series)


• Generate editorial calendar with approved think pieces for first six months of IdeasLAB 2027


• Circulate “Futures of Education” Bulletin #6

In addition, the consultant would have to submit monthly progress reports on the above-mentioned main deliverables. 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• PhD in the field of international education, development studies, public policy, international relations, economics, and/or other relevant fields

Work experience

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in research and analysis


• Experience in mobilizing research networks at international and/or regional levels

Skills and competencies

• Strong analytical skills


• Excellent drafting and editing skills with record of published research


• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain effective working relations with colleagues, partners, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other relevant institutions


• Solid IT skills including knowledge of Office software

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and oral)


• Good working knowledge of French

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience with UNESCO


• Experience in education foresight research


• Working knowledge of Spanish or another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, or Russian)

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

To apply, please send your CV, technical and financial proposal as well as relevant degrees to [email protected] by 20 February 2026 (midnight Paris time). Please include supporting documents as follows:

• A technical proposal comprising:
  
  
  
  • An approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference;
  
  
  • The amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars on a monthly basis for a 9-month period (full-time working).
  
  
  
  

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