UNESCO Is Hiring Research Consultants for 2026 (USD 2,100–3,200 per Month, Remote). UNESCO is recruiting Research Consultants for the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2026. Remote contract, 7–11 months, with monthly fees ranging from USD 2,100 to USD 3,200.
If you have experience in education policy research, data analysis, and high-level report drafting, this UNESCO consultancy could be a strong opportunity for 2026.
UNESCO is inviting applications for Research Consultants to support the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, one of the most authoritative global publications tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).
This is a remote, non-staff consultancy contract lasting between 7 and 11 months.
Opportunity Overview
- Organization: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Programme: Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report
- Position: Research Consultant (Multiple Positions)
- Contract Type: Non-Staff Consultancy
- Duty Station: Remote (Multiple locations)
- Contract Duration: 7–11 months
- Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Monthly Fee: USD 2,100 to USD 3,200 (based on experience and proposal)
About the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report
The GEM Report was established in 2001 and operates as an editorially independent, evidence-based annual report hosted and published by UNESCO.
Its mandate includes:
- Monitoring progress toward SDG 4 (Education)
- Tracking education-related targets across other SDGs
- Reporting on national and international strategies supporting the Education 2030 Framework for Action
The 2026 and 2027 editions will focus on:
- Access and equity in education (2026)
- Learning and quality (2027)
In addition to global reports, the team produces:
- Regional editions
- Thematic editions (e.g., gender, finance, youth)
- PEER country profiles
- Online data tools and policy resources
What the Research Consultant Will Do
Under the supervision of the Chief of Education Policy, consultants will contribute to global and regional education research outputs.
Global Report Contributions
- Draft sections of the global report
- Conduct literature reviews and data analysis
- Develop case studies and country studies
- Participate in fact-checking and referencing
- Ensure alignment with GEM style and quality standards
Regional Reports
- Conduct research and draft sections for regional editions
- Support advocacy and dissemination efforts
- Contribute to fact-checking and referencing
PEER Country Profiles
- Draft, review, and map country profiles
- Revise profiles drafted by other authors
- Upload finalized profiles to the website
- Participate in review processes
Expected Workload (11-Month Contract Example)
Indicative outputs include:
- 40 PEER country profiles (1,000 words each)
- 25 revised country profiles (3,000 words each)
- Case studies and thematic sections (approx. 3,000 words each)
- Fact-checking chapters (up to 10,000 words)
- Drafting sections for global and regional reports
These deliverables help applicants prepare an accurate monthly financial proposal.
Required Qualifications for UNESCO Is Hiring Research Consultants for 2026 (USD 2,100–3,200 per Month, Remote)
Education
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in:
- Education
- Economics
- Or a related field
Experience
- Minimum 4 years of research experience in education, economics, or related areas
- Strong track record in policy research and drafting
Required Skills
Strong candidates typically demonstrate:
- Excellent drafting skills in English
- Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills
- Attention to detail and ability to follow editorial style guides
- Experience synthesizing complex policy discussions
- Ability to meet tight deadlines
- Experience working in international and multicultural environments
Knowledge of SDG 4 themes and international education development is highly desirable.
Compensation
Consultants are required to submit a financial proposal quoting a monthly fee in:
- US Dollars
- GBP
- Or Euros
The expected monthly range for this role is approximately USD 2,100 to USD 3,200, depending on experience and technical proposal strength.
UNESCO evaluates applications based primarily on technical quality, followed by value for money.
Application Requirements
Applicants must upload a single PDF containing:
- Updated CV
- Technical proposal (1–2 pages outlining approach and methodology)
- Financial proposal (monthly fee in USD, GBP, or EUR)
All documents must be submitted in English.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Why This Consultancy Is Worth Considering
This opportunity offers:
- Fully remote engagement
- Direct contribution to one of the most influential global education reports
- Exposure to international education policy debates
- Collaboration with a global research and communications team
- Competitive consultancy fees
For researchers specializing in education policy, SDG monitoring, and international development, this consultancy offers meaningful engagement at the global level.
Final Thoughts
The GEM Report is widely recognized as a leading global reference for education policy and SDG monitoring. Being part of its research team provides both professional visibility and impactful contribution to international education debates.
If your profile aligns with the qualifications and you can commit to the deliverables, this is a strong consultancy opportunity for 2026.
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