Consultancy on Discussion Paper for Promoting Scientific Culture in the Arab Region

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) Duty Station: Cairo Job Family: Social and Human Sciences Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 27-05-2021 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **Background** -------------- According to The Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, 10 key areas of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Scientific Researchers should be focused by member states. The second of the key areas calls for meaningful interaction between society and science. During the pandemic, the significance of this interaction is increasingly prominent. Based on suggestions from the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RSSR), the Arab region should “strengthen scientific culture, public trust and support for sciences throughout society, in particular through a vigorous and informed democratic debate on the production and use of scientific knowledge, and a dialogue between the scientific community and society”. Therefore, to have a comprehensive understanding of the current status of scientific culture in the Arab region and diagnose the existing gaps, a discussion paper on scientific culture in the region is needed. This discussion paper will focus on four closely linked pillars, and the interactions between them: science communication, science and public engagement, public cognition of science and public accountability in science. **Nature and Objectives of the Assignment** ------------------------------------------- 1. Prepare a comprehensive discussion paper to understand the current status of science and society interaction in Arab region, especially focusing on scientific culture through related topics like public cognition of science, science communication, science and public engagement, and public accountability in science. The main goal of the discussion paper is to answer the following questions for each of four pillars (questions are not limited): - ****Public Cognition of Science**** - How much do people with different backgrounds believe that science can benefit them? - How does science interact with people’s prevailing religious beliefs? - What is the current status of perception of science, trust in science and public knowledge in the region? How do interlinks among the three dimensions work? - Are there many science related rumors and fake news on social media in the region, especially during crisis time like COVID-19 pandemic? Does it hurt public trust in science? What efforts are made to improve public trust? - Through which sources do people get scientific information? For each source, what is the level of trust? Long Description ---------------- - **Science Communication** - What are the gaps between science communication efforts and the actual impacts on the public? What are recommendations to fill the gaps? - What challenges are scientists in the Arab region facing regarding communicating science to the public? What training toolkits can be developed for scientists to efficiently communicate their work with the general public? - What activities did traditional media and digital media cover to promote science to the public? What are the differences between impacts of the two types of media on science communication? What are recommendations to enhance science communication through media? - What are the main benefits and barriers of previous public debates in science, especially during COVID-19? What are recommendations to make the role of science in public debates sustainable. - ****Science and Public Engagement**** - What practices and mechanisms of public engagement of science and engagement of the public in science have been done in the region? How effective are these in shaping the science agenda? - What common characteristics does the Arab region share in public engagement and what are the differences in terms of diverse social backgrounds on country level? - How can public engagement with science in the region be enhanced? Long Description ---------------- - **Public Accountability in Science** - How are science agendas developed in the Arab countries and to what extent do they serve national development goals? - What is the status of public accountability in science in the region? - Do legislative (and other, voluntary) frameworks and mechanisms of public accountability in science exist? - What are recommendations on how to improve public accountability in science? 2\. Collect and share good practices and experience on promoting scientific culture in the region. 3\. Pave ways for the preparation of further policy papers to fill gaps and overcome challenges on enhancing scientific culture in the region. **Scope and Tasks** ------------------- Along with the established objectives of the discussion paper, and the goal of answering the research questions, the consultant shall undertake the following tasks: - Prepare and submit annotated table of contents of the discussion paper describing the content and the developed methodology of its different sections, per UCO approval. This table of content of the discussion paper will reflect the interactions among the four closely linked pillars, per UCO approval. - Prepare an up to date comprehensive discussion paper on the interaction between society and science in the Arab region. The discussion paper shall address the above questions for four pillars, but should not be limited to these questions, with a focus on the interactions among the four closely linked pillars per UCO approval. - While preparing the discussion paper, the consultant shall: 1. Review of the literature about the four pillars in the Arab region and worldwide in English and Arabic, and show the literature review in the discussion paper. 2. For the purpose of survey, identify relevant science communities, scientists in Arab region, and representatives of relevant League of Arab States Programs in addition to media experts on science communication in the Arab region. 3. Conduct a survey to address the above research questions targeting the general public, decision makers, universities, private sectors, etc. 4. Provide survey designs to UCO for approval, distribute the survey at a wide range, collect a substantial number of responses and provide collected data and analysis of the received responses as UCO requires. 5. Identify experts in the region for the four webinar discussion as organized by UCO and provide technical facilitation for the four webinars organization. 6. Collect outcomes of the four webinar discussions and reflect the outcomes into the discussion paper. 7. Conducting in-depth interviews with relevant experts or stakeholders should be considered when it is necessary for writing a high-quality discussion paper. The transcripts of interviews shall be provided to UCO. - Deliver the first draft of the report for UCO review and approval; - Provide all copyright-free figures, illustrations and all supporting materials in good quality per UCO approval; and - Submit the final version of the report including figures, tables and all demonstrations taking into account the outcome of the sub-regional consultation as transmitted by UCO for the final approval. **Coordination/ Consultation** ------------------------------ 1. Regular contact with SHS team at UCO on the advancement of the assignment and copy the team on all correspondences made for the purpose of this assignment; 2. Closely coordinate with regional scientific communities, scientists, relevant experts and relevant LAS programs; 3. Address outcomes of discussions during the four webinars in the discussion paper; 4. Address the feedback from SHS team at UCO in a timely manner on deliverables; 5. Perform other tasks as needed for this consultancy assignment. **Deliverables** ---------------- 1. Preparing and submitting annotated table of contents of the discussion paper describing the content and the developed methodology of its different sections; 2. Submitting a comprehensive discussion paper in English in the size range of 25-30 pages to highlight the current situation about scientific culture in the Arab region and provide evidence for policy makers and relevant stakeholders to develop policy and intervention programs; 3. Submitting supporting materials for the discussion paper, such as survey design, data and interview transcripts; **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** --------------------------- **Education** - Bachelor’s degree or above with focus on social science, science related fields, Science-Society interface, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics or in other fields closely related to the focus of the consultancy assignment **Languages** - Fluency in English and Arabic required. **Experience and Skills** ------------------------- - A minimum of 7 years related working experience in interaction between science and society in the Arab region - Extensive practical experience in the quantitative and qualitative research methods of social science, such as survey, in-depth interview and focus groups, and data analyses; - Professional knowledge of situation of interaction between science and society in Arab region and other parts of the world; - Experience in collaborating with scientific communities or scientists at the local and Arab levels; - Experience in collaborating with media and other relevant stakeholders; - Excellent networking, partnership building and interpersonal skills; - Excellent written and oral communication skills. **Timetable** ------------- The consultant shall submit the deliverables by the following dates: Item Date 1 Annotated table of contents of the discussion paper describing the content and the developed methodology of its different sections. June 03, 2021 2 First draft discussion paper with literature review. August 25, 2021 3 Second draft discussion paper with survey results and outcomes of four webinars. September 30, 2021 4 Supporting materials for the discussion paper. September 30, 2021 5 Final draft discussion paper. October 30, 2021 **Required Documents** ---------------------- Separate technical and financial proposals should be attached in the Employment History field. The submitted proposals should include: 1. Technical proposal consisting of Work plan, approach, timeline for the assignment, means and methodology of the delivery of the requirements and addressing the comments on the Terms of Reference (if any). - CV or qualification of the Consultant; - The suggested approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment fully including a work plan; - List a minimum of 1 experience of similar services have been provided and indicating at a minimum, who was the client, a description of the contract’s scope, contract duration, contract value, contact references as well as a minimum of a sample of similar work; 2\. A financial proposal including the estimated working days for completing the assignment and the amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US Dollars. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- 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 applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity. 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.