Education Research Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 4INEDPA060GI

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: New Delhi

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-DEC-2023

 

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

 

Duration of Contract is one (1) year, with the possibility of an extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

The UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is UNESCO’s Category 1 Research Institute that focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.7 towards education for building peaceful and sustainable societies across the world.

 

UNESCO MGIEP leads the conceptualization, design, and formulation of strategies in education for peace and sustainable development by (a) designing and conducting large-scale research to build empirical evidence on the benefits of cultivating and assessing social emotional learning (SEL) to ensure whole-brain learning for peaceful mindsets and human flourishing (b) translating this evidence in designing courses for formal and informal learning in school and university education systems using immersive interactive digital pedagogies that are implemented in a GDPR compliant learning experience and analytics platform (LEAP) entitled Framerspace. 

 

To advance and support this unique research mandate, UNESCO MGIEP is seeking an international Education Research Officer to join the research team. Under the overall guidance of the Director the  Research Officer will serve as the primary academic resource for (a) designing research to build and assess social and emotional competencies (b) supervise and implement SEL action research that adapts MGIEP’s SEL development (EMC2) and assessment (KISME) framework to the context and needs of member states using innovative and immersive digital pedagogies on Framerspace (www.framerspace.com).

 

 

Long Description

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

 

1. Contribute to the Institute Research Agenda

• Design and formulate research that builds measurable SEL skills for K-12 and youth using digital pedagogies on Framerspace.
• Identify measurable SEL indicators that map SEL competencies to competency development within SDG 4.7  and the broader educational agenda.
• Mentor and advise program staff on implementing evidence based research pedagogies.
• Develop innovative research methodology to understand learning dynamics on Framerspace.
•  Use a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, ensuring credibility of information and evidence to build empirical evidence for proximal and distal outcomes of SEL.
• Support the research team in developing international research proposals for competitive funding.
• Adapt empirical findings to strengthen the science policy nexus.
• Supervise the development of manuscripts for international peer review and develop policy briefs for stakeholders.

 

Long Description

2. Contribute to global research agenda for science of learning

• Identify gaps in the global research agenda with a focus on identifying missing research links in the global south.
• Identify relevant partners that will assist in fulfilling gaps in the research agenda.
• Develop partnerships with relevant organisations to develop and advance a global research agenda on the science of learning.
• Organise strategic dialogues across relevant stakeholders to advance the research agenda for the science of learning in the global south.

 

3. Coordinate Stakeholder Consultation

• Coordinate with various project teams at the Institute to provide relevant research inputs for different projects.
• Coordinate with relevant divisions and field offices of UNESCO to translate research from the science of learning to member states
• Identify relevant research stakeholders from universities and research institutes to build an effective network for research informed education action and policy.
• With the partnerships team at MGIEP, develop strategic research partnerships for the Institute

Long Description

4. Management and Monitoring

• Provide intellectual leadership and technical guidance and foster a supportive and collaborative work environment within and across teams in the Institute.
• Oversee the development and adherence to results based tracking systems to monitor progress against established performance targets.
• Monitor performance against programmatic and operational targets.
• Oversee the independent evaluation of the Institute’s programmes and projects in compliance with UNESCO Evaluation policy.
• Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports and research progress to senior management and governing boards on budget and program performance.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) Building partnerships (M) Strategic thinking (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in neuroscience, science of learning, education cognitive science, or other education related sciences. 

 

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience relating to research, teaching, curriculum development, pedagogy, technology, social and emotional learning, sciences of learning\neurosciences, and\or planning in a governmental, multilateral, academic, or civil society organization;
• Field experience of conducting research with schools following specified research protocols.
• Experience in programming and project management, such as research design and results monitoring, in areas related to education.
• Experience in multidisciplinary research teams and published in peer-reviewed journals.

 

Skills and Competencies

• Research and Development. Comprehensive research, interpretation, and critical analysis skills.
• Knowledge of research methods and experience of supporting learner communities to achieve greater inclusiveness, equity, and quality.
• Ability to lead integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in the field of education.
• Ability to use methods and tools to monitor context triggers and determine the impact of various dynamics in education outcomes.
• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.
• Ability to catalyze new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in the field of education.
• Advanced and persuasive written and communication skills and ability to undertake literature reviews and write high-quality journal papers
• Ability to engage and work with multi-disciplinary teams of experts and accommodate multiple perspectives to provide policy recommendations and guidance in the field of education.
• Good knowledge of quantitative methods including statistical tools and\or mathematical modeling.

 

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• PhD in neuroscience, science of learning, education cognitive science, or other education related sciences. 

 

Work Experience

• Experience within an international environment with a research focus.
• Experience in setting up an independent research programme.
• An H-Index of 7 and above is a huge advantage.

 

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent statistical analysis skills with a strong command over R or Python programming would be a huge advantage.

 

Languages

• Working knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and 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 98,945 US $.

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

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.

This position is only open for non-Indian nationals.

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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.