Writer H/F

Parent Sector: Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station: Type of contract: Author’s Contract: UNESCO Science Report
Duration of contract: Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 07-jan-2026
UNESCO Core Values: In accordance with the UNESCO Programme and Budget 2024–2025 (42C/5), Major Programme II: Natural Sciences, Output 4.SC4 Member States capacities strengthened to improve science, technology and innovation (STI) policies, access to scientific and technological advancements and enhance knowledge sharing, including through Open Science, under the overall authority of the Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences (ADG/SC), guidance from the Director of the Division for Science Policy and Basic Sciences and direct supervision of the Chief of Section and in coordination with the Programme specialist in charge of the UNESCO Science Report , the incumbent will co-editor responsibility for the development of selected sections of the UNESCO Science Report. a) Draft the thematic essay “7.1 Policy Trends” in Chapter 7 within Part II, “Global Trends in Science, Technology, and Innovation”. This sub-section of Chapter 7 covers topics such as Open Science, Research Security, Responsible Research, and Reform of Research Assessment.
b) Draft the thematic essay “6.1 Trends in Publications, Patents, and Innovation Metrics and collaborations” in Chapter 6 within Part II, “Global Trends in Science, Technology, and Innovation”.
c) Draft up to six specific sections and co-edit the production of regional and national sections within Part III, including 10.3 Central & Eastern Europe in Chapter 10 and 11.3 East Asia & Pacific in Chapter 11.

Serve as co-editor for three major sections of the forthcoming 8th edition of the UNESCO Science Report, in particular:
d) Contribute by editing the chapters which make up the UNESCO Science Report by liaising with the relevant author(s) (the list will be provided by UNESCO); e) Coordinate with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and other data providers on the data required for the various sections of the Report.
f) Liaise with the authors for the appropriate use of the validated data in the preparation of the chapters and sections.
g) Verify the appropriate usage and accuracy of the data by the authors in all chapters and sections of the Report
h) Proofread and copyedit the draft chapters submitted by selected authors

i) Respond to regular requests received from authors, external stakeholders, and partners and deal with other matters which may arise during the production cycle of the UNESCO Science Report in coordination with the Science Report editor.

Submit for UNESCO approval the following deliverables:
Draft of the thematic essay titled “Policy Trends”, in chapter 7 within Part II of the UNESCO Science Report, in English up to 15 pages. Draft of the thematic essay titled “Trends in Publications, Patents, and Innovation Metrics and collaborations”, within Part II of the UNESCO Science Report, in English, up to 15 pages. Drafts of three specific regional and national sections within Part III, including 10.3 Central & Eastern Europe in Chapter 10 and 11.3 East Asia & Pacific in Chapter 11, in English, up to 30 pages. Submit progress report, in English, up to 10 pages, including brief synthesis on the three co-edited sections, outlining the overview of all substantive and copyediting actions, consistency checks performed across narrative and data elements, and confirmation of alignment with UNESCO editorial standards and the UNESCO Science Report structure and content. Report of data validation summary for the co-edited sections, detailing verification of all datasets used, correspondence with the respective authors, UIS, and other data providers, and confirmation that authors have applied validated data accurately and consistently throughout their chapters, in English, up to 10 pages. Report on author coordination log documenting exchanges with contributors, status of chapter drafts and revisions, and key issues addressed during the editorial process, in support of transparent workflow management for the UNESCO Science Report team. Please refer to the draft outline of the UNESCO Science Report (link here)
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, basic sciences, science policy, or applied statistics/data science.
At least 4 years of professional experience with progressive responsibility in the field of natural sciences, basic sciences, science policy, or applied statistics/data science. Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English.
Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, basic sciences, science policy, or applied statistics/data science, or other related natural science discipline.
Please refer to the draft outline of the UNESCO Science Report (link here)
Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information one combined file :