Consultancy -Knowledge Societies &Open Science in the Arab Region: Issues of Inclusion &Capabilities

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC) Duty Station: Cairo Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 30-MAY-2021 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **Consultancy for Knowledge Societies and Open Science and in the Arab Region: Issues of Inclusion and Capabilities** **Introduction** Almost all Arab countries have put the establishment of the knowledge societies and economies as a strategic goal to be achieved in the nearest future along with their national developmental plans and in line with the internationally adopted SDGs. At the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference, 193 Members States tasked the Organization with the development of an international standard-setting instrument on Open Science in the form of a UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science to be adopted by Member States in 2021. The Recommendation is aimed to define shared values and principles for Open Science, and identify concrete measures on Open Access and Open Data, with proposals to bring citizens closer to science and commitments to facilitate the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge around the world and more importantly in developing regions such as the Arab region. While the relationship between the aspired knowledge societies and the movement towards open science seems to be clear, several interrelated issues, challenges, and key questions are identified. Is open science a tool for achieving the aspired knowledge societies? Is open science an objective by itself? Can we establish the knowledge societies and economies without “opening the science”? Do countries of the region have the required capabilities and resource (human, financial, technological,…) to shoulder this huge task? And, what about inclusion in social, digital, and economic terms? All these, are but among the key questions that need to be addressed to enlighten the planning and trajectory of the Arab region in moving to the open science and in planning and advancing towards the aspired knowledge societies and economies. UNESCO Regional Office for Sciences for the Arab States (UCO) plans to conduct an Arab regional investigation that addresses these, and other relevant key questions Long Description ---------------- **Proposed Tasks/Outputs** In the context of the above, and under the UNESCO tasks mandated by the Natural Science Sector’s Main Line of Action I “Harnessing the sciences, including the basic sciences, technology, and innovation and knowledge for sustainable development”, the UNESCO Cairo Office (UCO) is seeking the services of an individual consultant to investigate and draft a report about the “issues of inclusion and capabilities for establishing the knowledge societies and the potential role of open science”. **With concentration on issue of inclusion (digital and socioeconomic); as well as issues of capabilities (financial, human capabilities, organizational…),** the consultant will specifically undertake the following tasks: Long Description ---------------- A. Undertake a desk review to: 1. investigate and identify major issues related to establishment of the knowledge societies in the Arab region. Relying on available and reliable resources, and **with concentration on issue of inclusion (digital and socioeconomic); as well as issues of capabilities (financial, human capabilities, organizational…),** this shall include major information, data and statistics of the status of knowledge in the Arab region to be presented in an analytical format that sheds the light on challenges and identifies opportunities for the way forward. 2. investigate major issues related to open science in the Arab region. Wi**th concentration on issue of inclusion (digital and socioeconomic); as well as issues of capabilities (financial, human capabilities, organizational…),** This shall rely on international, regional, and country specific available data, information and literature (including the UNESCO initiative on open science) as well as regional perspectives including, and not limited to: 1. Outcomes of regional meetings on open science (including those conducted by UCO). 2. Outcomes of the planned survey that is conducted by the Egyptian NATCOM at the regional level. 3. Any other information, data from reliable sources. Long Description ---------------- B. Conduct ***qualitative interviews/meetings*** to address issues of knowledge societies and open science. Through 3 regional expert group meetings, and with the participation of 10-15 experts in each, these meetings can address, yet not limited to, the following questions: 1. Is open science a tool for achieving the aspired knowledge societies? 2. Is open science an objective by itself? Can we establish the knowledge societies and economies without “opening the science”? 3. Do countries of the region have the required capabilities and resource (human, financial, technological,…) to shoulder this huge task? 4. Relationship of knowledge societies and open science action on inclusion in social, digital, and economic terms? 5. Other questions All 3 meetings will be virtually conducted on-line with the participation of 10-15 experts from the Arab region. Participants shall be from the scientific community, private sector, development community and from knowledge society related experts. C. Based on outcomes of the above instigations and qualitative meetings, and **with concentration on issue of inclusion (digital and socioeconomic); as well as issues of capabilities (financial, human capabilities, organizational…),** prepare a report that contains an analytical review to establish and clarify the relationship between knowledge societies and open science and to suggest the way forward for integrating open science in supporting and advancing towards the aspired knowledge societies and economies in the Arab region. Specifically, this shall include: 1. Preparation of a comprehensive report (about 100-120 A4 pages) in Arabic language that includes and summarizes all above deliverables and identifies main challenges, opportunities and suggests the way forward with clear and practical recommendations. The intended report shall include, but not limited to: 1. the necessary strategies, policies, actions and recommendations that the Arab States will need to adopt to achieve the required level of scientific research collaboration and a much higher levels of science, technology and innovation (STI) generation across the board; 2. Better use of Open Access, Open Data and FOSS and allow the region towards its desired transformation particularly in relation to issues of **inclusion (digital and socioeconomic); as well as issues of capabilities (financial, human capabilities, organizational…),** ; 1. b. The incumbent shall closely coordinate with UCO throughout all steps of preparing the report including: - Preparing and sharing the annotated draft table of content with UCO for approval prior to initiation of investigations and qualitative studies. - Organization of the 3 qualitative meeting. List of suggested participants, schedule and issues to be discussed, concept notes, and documents to be distributed should be shared with UCO ahead of time for approval - Submission of first drafts of the report to UCO for comments c. Submission to the pre-final drafts to a Specialized advisory group. The advisory group (up to 10 members) will be formulated by UCO in consultation with the consultant and with her/his help d. Submit, **through UCO**, the pre-final draft of the report to the Advisory Group for revision and feedback. e. Prepare the final Repot based on feedback from UCO and of the Advisory Group f. Final report should be approved by UCO. g. The report will be produced in both Arabic. It will be translated to English by UCO. The consultant shall be responsible of proofreading the English translation. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Education: Advanced university degree in related field. PhD is desirable. - The consultant should have minimum 5 years of professional experience in knowledge production, analysis and policy development in the area of STI and possible relevance with open science. - Directly provides technical assistance and support on project activities or has high technical skills, expertise and knowledge required to deliver a specific service or product. - Previous Experience in working in preparation of a comprehensive reports. - Excellent knowledge of and skills in content creation in Arabic language. - Excellent knowledge of English language. - Experience working with UN agencies is desired. **Project Timeframe** The final report must be delivered by 5th of November 2021 with all fieldwork and analysis completed before 15th September 2021 **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **Footer** ---------- Please note that all applicants must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. Please attach in the **Employment History field** your motivation for this consultancy work, a technical proposal indicating approach and methodology for the assignment, a workplan, comments on the Terms of Reference and proposed fees and an up to date curriculum vitae/employment history form. Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): **30-May-2021** To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of applicants 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 applicants. Please note that only selected applicants will be further contacted and applicants in the final selection step may be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.