Call for Application: Strengthening STI Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Harare Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Consultancy Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 03-August-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- ***Development of a study on scientific freedom in Zimbabwe in line with the 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR) in the context of the ‘Strengthening STI systems for sustainable development in Africa’*** **Only Zimbabwe Nationals and firms/institutions registered and resident in Zimbabwe are eligible to Express Interest** **A. BACKGROUND** Scientific freedom remains an underdeveloped concept. Considering its importance for the development of robust science, UNESCO embarks on an effort to shed more light into its different dimensions. A first step in this direction is the launching of a report that will bring to the fore African perspectives on scientific freedom. This is an integral part of a project on ‘Strengthening STI Systems for sustainable development in Africa’ implemented in six pilot countries and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The countries concerned are: Republic of Congo, Ghana, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Further to other considerations, these countries were selected to ensure diversity of STI policy settings (as indicated by R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP) as well as reflecting the overall geographical and linguistic balance of the continent and the specific situations of certain categories of countries, including Least Developed Countries. Taking the 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR) as a point of departure but also drawing on the principles and standards of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, data collection and analysis will be conducted in each of the project countries. This assessment will help to give insights into the status of scientific freedom, looking at national legal and policy frameworks, the enabling environment, key institutions, their capacities, and implementation trends, in the selected countries. This information will allow the elaboration of country specific recommendations to address diverse gaps in these domains. Further to the country studies, the report will contain an introductory chapter that will shed light into the vision for science and scientific freedom in today’s Africa **(see draft table of contents of the overall report pin Annex I).** The concluding chapter will present a comparative reading of the country findings eventually leading to the identification of common trends, challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, considering the diverse country profiles, it may be possible to articulate recommendations that are potentially relevant for countries with similar characteristics in terms of the level of development of their STI systems. Long Description ---------------- **B. TASKS** Against this background, the contractor will carry out research to develop the study regarding Zimbabwe of a total length between 15 and 25 pages. The research and analysis will be anchored in the 2017 RS|SR and other relevant authoritative sources (i.e. the General Comment N. 25 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). To ensure comparability of findings across the 6 countries, the study will address the following: 1\. **Entrenchment in national legal and policy frameworks.** This will shed light into the scope of scientific freedom as established in national legislation and policies with particular attention to the following issues as per the 2017 RS|SR: freedom of expression and communication, freedom of association, freedom of access to data and information; freedom of movement; links with responsibility; etc. An integral part of this segment will be the review of monitoring arrangements. 2\. **Enabling environment.** This segment will look into issues and factors that contribute to an enabling environment for scientific freedom, including the recognition of science as a common good, the link of science with UN ideals, scientific education, diversity in science, funding for science, the country’s civic space and the freedoms enjoyed by scientific associations, the science policy nexus, etc. 3\. **Key institutions and their role.** In particular, the vision, mission and type of work of diverse institutions, governmental, non-governmental and private (including existing African networks and other frameworks of international collaboration among scientists) will be highlighted as well as their level of influence through past achievements and the type of members (links with government, industry and/or civil society) 4\. **Analysis of implementation trends,** including the analysis of annual reporting, monitoring and evaluation of STI policies, such as the type of issues and concerns that are brought to the attention of monitoring bodies and professional associations, the issues discussed amongst the stakeholder communities, approaches on addressing contentious issues such as on balancing freedoms with responsibilities, etc. This part should draw on available statistics, pointing where relevant to eventual gaps and shortcomings, and also to available analysis, including in the voluntary national reports on SDGs. 5\. **Gender needs and context analysis** presenting clear sex-disaggregated data and statistics to support and provide the true reflection for 1, 2, 3, and 4 above. The results of the analysis are to be included in the recommendations. 6\. **Key findings and recommendations**. Findings and recommendations should include strengths and challenges analysis. The recommendations can be directly formulated using the relevant articles in the RS|SR to come up with specific measures to close gaps that are found in the country analysis. In conducting the research, the contractor should liaise with the UNESCO Field Office in Harare, the Consultation Group established within the framework of the Sida project, other institutions and experts in the country and beyond with the aim of seeking additional clarifications on complex issues. Long Description ---------------- **C. DELIVERABLES** Submit to UNESCO for approval the requested deliverables listed below: The contractor shall submit: 1\. An annotated table of contents outlining the main components (listing all main findings referenced in para. 1, 2, 3) and explaining the approach, in line with the broader lines defined by UNESCO with the objective of ensuring the comparability findings – **by 10 August 2022** 2\. A full-fledged draft study that follows the structure of the approved annotated table of contents and showcases the main research findings (reference 1, 2, 3) and also contains analysis of implementation trends, gaps and key recommendations (reference 4, 5) **by 31 August 2022** 3\. A Final report (circa 15-25 pages), incorporating comments made by UNESCO and external peer-reviewers, in a publishable state – **by 15 September 2022.** The author should send a final draft to UNESCO for revision first. UNESCO will then take 2 weeks to provide comments/feedback which should be incorporated in the final text (this is to ensure quality). **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- • The contractor (lead consultant and/or institution) should combine expertise in social and human sciences (if an individual attested by a PhD), with a very strong track record of research in human rights issues, including on freedom of expression and ideally scientific freedom • If an individual, the contractor should have a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in research and publication in the above mentioned field. • The lead consultant should have good knowledge and understanding of STI policies and STI systems more broadly, including all the sciences (natural, social, human, etc.) **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- • Experience in the UN system would be an asset. **Skills and competencies** • High level of autonomy. • Strong research and analytical skills. • Strong ability to critically examine national context and produce recommendations in this regard • Excellent drafting skills with ability to produce high quality deliverables on scientific and technical issues. • Proven ability to work with multi-cultural team **Languages** • Excellent command (written/spoken/reading comprehension) of English is required. **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- Applications are to be submitted in two phases through Success Factor application portal, attaching documents i.e Cover letter, CV(s) of team member(s) and budget and through email at **** Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.