Project Consultant for the elaboration of educational materials on the BWC

Elaborate educational materials on the BWC for university students.

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UNODA - Office for Disarmament Affairs

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Application deadline 4 months ago: Friday 27 Feb 2026 at 04:59 UTC

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Overview

Elaborate educational materials on the BWC for university students.

You have:

  • Master's degree in natural sciences or social sciences is required.
  • Experience working in academia, including six years of teaching experience in an academic setting, is required.
  • Knowledge of the Biological Weapons Convention is a distinct asset.
  • Fluency in written/oral English is required.
  • Fluency in another UN official language would be desirable.
  • Proven communication skills are required.
  • Proven research skills are required.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Elaboration in English of dedicated educational materials about the BWC for university students, with a minimum of six lessons plans that will be translated into the six official UN languages and made broadly accessible in cooperation with the Vienna Office of UNODA.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected consultant will carry out a mapping exercise to review if and how the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and topics related to biosecurity, have been incorporated into existing courses or curricula. Therefore, the consultant will liaise and consult with an informal advisory group consisting of representatives of relevant universities, think-tanks, and training centres, as well as experienced educators and course organizers, to learn good practices and potential gaps in current courses. Based on the outcomes of the mapping exercise and consultation with the informal advisory group, the consultant will prepare course content based on a consolidated course outline and elaborate all required documentation, such as course materials e.g. presentations, scripts, possible assignments for individual or group work or for seminar papers and other complementary/supportive documents. The development of such resources will help provide course organizers with materials that can be easily incorporated into established curricula, as well as introduce new discussion prompts and potential examination questions to facilitate discussion amongst students. The consultant will support the promotion of the published educational materials with interested stakeholders, including BWC States Parties as required, and coordination for materials to be available on the UNODA Disarmament Education Website. The consultant will work remotely and report to an Associate Political Affairs Officer at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Geneva Branch/BWC team.

Qualifications/special skills

Master's degree in natural sciences, such as biology, or social sciences, such as Political Science, International Relations, or a related field is required. Experience working in academia, including six years of teaching experience in an academic setting, is required. Knowledge of the Biological Weapons Convention and participation in previous BWC meetings and conferences is a distinct asset. Proven communication and research skills.

Languages

Fluency in written/oral English is required. Fluency in another UN official language would be desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions

Can you provide examples of how you've developed educational materials in the past? This assesses your practical experience in creating educational content. Detail your approach, mentioning specific projects and materials you've created.
Describe a time you collaborated with universities or educational institutions. What was your role? This gauges your ability to work with external stakeholders. Pro members can see the explanation.
How familiar are you with the Biological Weapons Convention and its implications? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you employ to promote published educational materials? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain a complex topic related to biosecurity in a clear and engaging way? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach curriculum mapping and evaluation? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What role do you see communication playing in the success of this project? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle feedback from diverse educational stakeholders? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 5 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: careers.un.org