UNESCO Is Hiring Junior Research Consultants (remote) for the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2026. Open to candidates with a master’s degree in education, economics, or related fields. Apply now.
Overview
UNESCO Is Hiring Junior Research Consultants (multiple positions) to support the Global Education Monitoring Report. These fully remote consultancy roles sit within UNESCO’s Education Sector and contribute directly to global and regional research on SDG 4 – Quality Education.
The contracts are offered on a non-staff consultancy basis for a duration of 7 to 11 months, with recruitment open to external candidates worldwide. Selected consultants will provide research, drafting, data analysis, fact-checking, and country profile development for UNESCO’s flagship education monitoring products.
About the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report
The GEM Report is an editorially independent, evidence-based annual report established in 2001 (formerly the Education for All Global Monitoring Report). It monitors progress on education targets under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and holds governments and international partners accountable for their commitments.
The 2026 and 2027 GEM Report editions are part of the Countdown to 2030 series, focusing respectively on:
- 2026: Access and equity in education
- 2027: Learning and quality
In addition to the global report, the GEM team produces regional reports, thematic editions, and country-level analytical tools such as PEER profiles, WIDE, VIEW, and SCOPE.
Position Details
- Job Title: Junior Research Consultant (multiple positions)
- Sector: Education
- Contract Type: Non-staff consultancy
- Duration: 7–11 months
- Duty Station: Remote (global)
- Recruitment Type: External candidates
- Language of Work: English
Key Responsibilities
Global Report Contributions
- Conduct literature reviews, case studies, and qualitative or quantitative analysis
- Draft sections, boxes, or case studies for the global report
- Support advocacy, dissemination, fact-checking, and referencing
Regional Reports
- Provide research inputs and draft sections or case studies
- Support dissemination and advocacy activities
- Contribute to fact-checking and referencing processes
PEER Country Profiles
- Draft, review, revise, and map country profiles using GEM templates
- Prepare and upload profiles to the PEER website
- Participate in internal and external review processes
Indicative Workload (11-Month Contract)
- 52 PEER country profiles drafted, revised, mapped, and uploaded
- 38 country profiles reviewed
- Multiple sections, boxes, and case studies drafted for global, regional, and thematic reports
- Fact-checking of global and regional report chapters
Eligibility Criteria
Education
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Education, Economics, or a related field
Experience
- Minimum 2 years of research experience in education, economics, or related areas
Required Skills and Competencies
- Excellent drafting and editing skills in English
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow the GEM Report Style Guide
- Ability to work independently under tight deadlines
- Proven research skills using multiple qualitative and quantitative sources
- Experience working in international or multicultural environments
- Strong planning, organization, teamwork, and results-orientation
Desirable Qualifications
- Understanding of SDG 4 and international education development
- Familiarity with GEM Report themes (e.g. access, equity, learning, quality, leadership, technology)
- Research publications in education or related policy fields
- Knowledge of statistical or spreadsheet software
- Drafting ability in another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian)
Compensation
Applicants must submit a financial proposal indicating their monthly consultancy fee, quoted in USD, GBP, or EUR. UNESCO evaluates proposals primarily on technical quality, followed by best value for money.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit one single PDF file containing:
- Updated CV
- Technical proposal (approach and methodology – 1 to 2 pages)
- Financial proposal (monthly fee in USD, GBP, or EUR)
Additional application notes:
- All documents must be in English
- Only complete applications will be considered
- Applications are submitted through the UNESCO Careers Portal
- By applying, candidates consent to inclusion in UNESCO’s consultant roster (unless they opt out)
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | UNESCO |
| Programme | Global Education Monitoring Report |
| Role | Junior Research Consultant |
| Contract Type | Non-staff consultancy |
| Duration | 7–11 months |
| Work Mode | Fully remote |
| Education Required | Master’s degree |
| Experience Required | Minimum 2 years |
| Language | English (required) |
| Application Package | CV + technical + financial proposal |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this a staff position at UNESCO?
No. This is a non-staff consultancy contract.
Can applicants apply from any country?
Yes. The consultancy is fully remote and open globally.
Is prior UN experience required?
No, but experience in international policy research is an advantage.
How are candidates selected?
Selection is based primarily on the technical quality of the proposal, followed by value for money.
Will UNESCO contact all applicants?
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
Conclusion
The UNESCO Junior Research Consultant roles for the Global Education Monitoring Report 2026 offer a highly competitive, fully remote opportunity to contribute to one of the most influential global education policy reports. For researchers with strong analytical and drafting skills and a commitment to SDG 4, this consultancy provides exceptional exposure to international education research, policy dialogue, and UN-level publication work.
Keywords
UNESCO jobs 2026, UNESCO remote consultant, Global Education Monitoring Report jobs, UN education research consultancy, SDG 4 research roles, UNESCO non-staff consultant, education policy research jobs, UNESCO Is Hiring Junior Research Consultants
