The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has opened applications for Mid-level Research Consultants to support the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report. These consultancy positions are part of UNESCO’s efforts to monitor global progress toward education goals under the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.
This opportunity is ideal for professionals with strong research experience in education, economics, or related fields who want to contribute to global policy research on education and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Applications are open to external candidates worldwide, and the role will be fully remote.
About the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report
The Global Education Monitoring Report is an independent, evidence-based annual report hosted and published by UNESCO. It tracks global progress toward education targets and evaluates how countries are implementing strategies outlined in the Education 2030 Framework for Action.
The report was originally established in 2001 as the Education for All Global Monitoring Report and later expanded following the Incheon Declaration, which reinforced its mandate to monitor education progress within the SDGs.
Each edition typically includes:
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A monitoring section analyzing global progress in education targets
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A thematic section focusing on key global education issues
Recent report themes have explored topics such as education and sustainable development, accountability, migration and displacement, inclusion, technology, and leadership in education.
Upcoming reports in the Countdown to 2030 series will focus on:
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2026: Access and equity in education
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2027: Learning outcomes and quality of education
Key Details of the Consultancy
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Position: Mid-level Research Consultants
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Organization: UNESCO – Education Sector
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Duty Station: Remote (multiple locations)
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Contract Type: Affiliated Personnel (Consultancy)
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Contract Duration: 7–11 months
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Application Deadline: 14 March 2026
Consultants will work under the supervision of the Chief of Education Policy and collaborate with research teams responsible for global, regional, and thematic reports.
Click here to find full job details (Official UNESCO Career portal)
Main Responsibilities
Selected consultants will contribute to several research outputs of the GEM Report, including global reports, regional reports, and country profiles.
1. Global Report Contributions
Consultants will help develop sections of the flagship report by:
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Drafting analytical sections and case studies
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Conducting literature reviews and data analysis
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Ensuring coherence and quality of written content
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Supporting fact-checking and reference verification
2. Regional Report Research
Consultants will also support research for regional education reports, which analyze education progress in specific regions. Responsibilities include:
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Conducting research similar to the global report process
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Contributing to regional policy analysis
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Supporting advocacy and dissemination of findings
3. PEER Country Profiles
Another major component of the work involves contributing to country profiles through the PEER platform, which provides detailed information about national education systems.
Tasks include:
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Drafting and reviewing country education profiles
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Mapping and verifying education policies and data
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Uploading profiles to the PEER website
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Participating in internal review processes
Expected Outputs During the Contract
The consultancy involves delivering a number of research outputs during the contract period. Estimated deliverables include:
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Drafting 40 country profiles for the PEER platform
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Reviewing 25 additional country profiles written by other researchers
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Writing case studies and report sections for global and regional reports
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Contributing to the Gender Report and thematic publications
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Fact-checking chapters of the global and regional reports
These tasks contribute to producing high-quality policy research that informs governments, researchers, and education stakeholders worldwide.
Required Qualifications
Applicants must meet several education and experience requirements to be considered for the consultancy.
Education
Candidates must hold:
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A Master’s degree or equivalent in
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Education
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Economics
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or a closely related field
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Work Experience
Applicants should have:
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At least four years of research experience in education, economics, or related areas
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Experience conducting policy research and data analysis
Key Skills and Competencies
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate a combination of research, writing, and analytical skills.
Core competencies include:
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Excellent academic writing and drafting skills in English
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Strong research and analytical abilities (qualitative and quantitative)
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Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
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Attention to detail and adherence to research style guidelines
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Experience working in international and multicultural environments
Experience with education policy research or SDG-related topics will be highly valued.
Preferred Skills
Although not mandatory, the following qualifications can strengthen an application:
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Knowledge of issues related to global education policy and SDG 4
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Experience publishing research related to education
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Familiarity with statistical and spreadsheet software
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Understanding of international education development
Language Requirements
Applicants must have:
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Fluency in English (written and spoken)
Knowledge of another UN language—such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian—is considered an advantage.
Application Process
Interested candidates must apply through the UNESCO careers portal and submit a single PDF document containing:
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Updated CV
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Technical proposal (1–2 pages) outlining methodology and approach to the assignment
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Financial proposal indicating the expected monthly consultancy fee in USD, GBP, or EUR
Applications must be submitted in English.
UNESCO will evaluate applications primarily based on technical quality and value for money, ensuring that selected consultants meet the organization’s high standards of research and professional integrity.
