UNESCO Research Job 2026: Apply for a Senior Research and Strategic Foresight Position in Montreal
Overview
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is recruiting a Senior Project Officer for Strategic Foresight, Research and Country Insights at grade P-4 in Montreal, Canada. UIS is UNESCO's official statistical agency and the UN depository for internationally comparable statistics on education, science, culture and communication, supporting Sustainable Development Goal monitoring. The post is a one-year project appointment, with possible extension depending on funding and performance, and is open to internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary is US$115,964, and UNESCO staff benefits may include annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance and pension arrangements.
What you will do
The officer works in the Foresight, Research and Methodology Section. Responsibilities include designing the UIS strategic foresight framework, setting up recurring horizon scanning, and producing horizon scans, trend analyses, scenario exercises and strategic intelligence notes. The role also leads analytical work on education monitoring beyond 2030, including lessons from SDG 4 and indicator frameworks for areas such as well-being, digital transformation, climate change and lifelong learning. Further tasks include analytical leadership on national benchmarks, scorecards and country engagement, assessing emerging measurement methods, integrating foresight into corporate planning, supervising a P-3 Project Officer and other staff, and representing UIS in forums and partnerships.
Requirements
Applicants need a Master's degree or equivalent in statistics, economics, public policy, data science, education, development studies or a related field. At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic analysis, policy research, foresight, statistics or development analytics is required, with at least three years international, including leading work on development monitoring, statistical systems, education policy or global agendas. Strong strategic thinking, synthesis and communication skills are essential. Excellent English is required, French is desirable, and another UNESCO language is an advantage.
How to apply
Apply online through the UNESCO careers site. The process may include pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, panel interviews and reference checks.
Key dates
The deadline is 18 September 2026 at midnight Paris time.