Expert - landscape analysis on GEN Zcivic and political participation.

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Sciences Sector (SCS)

Duty Station : Paris

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 3 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC±0 (UTC) Time) : 07/09/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

CONTEXT

The civic and political participation of Gen Z young people reflects the needs and aspirations of this generation of young people. It also reveals the impact they want to make in society. Understanding what motivates their participation can help grasp better this generation and how they see themselves in their societies. It is also a necessary step to better engage with them as they redefine societies. Ultimately, this builds the foundation for bringing relevant solutions to today’s challenges, with the contributions and ideas of young people.

“In the minds of Gen Z: Understanding today’s citizens” is a research project that explores the phenomena informing Gen Z’ s civic and political participation. The project aspires to:

• Increase understanding of the diverse phenomena that affect Gen Z’s civic and political actions.
• Provide policymakers with tangible policy orientations to recognize, support and harness Gen Z’s contributions to societies.
• Inspire further reflection and research on the subject.
  
  

Through this project, UNESCO also aspires to recognize and more fully understand the civic and political action in which young people are already engaged. The project is implemented with the guidance of an Expert Group composed of eight scholars from all UNESCO regions. The project will produce a global study that explores the different phenomena affecting Gen Z’s civic and political actions.

CENTRAL QUESTIONS

The central research question is: “What motivates and affects the civic and political actions of Gen Z and how?”. The study will also explore two related sub-questions: 

• How can we best understand the variety of civic and political aspirations, values and actions of young people who constitute Gen Z?
• How are members of Gen Z variously acting politically? Are we seeing evidence of ‘new’ kinds of politics?

STUDY LANDSCAPE

The study will include a landscape analysis to explore the central research question and sub-questions, through the lens of the following five major categories  that may affect Gen Z civic and political actions: Identities; Experiences; Relationships; Action; Context.It is understood that these five categories are interconnected. One cannot be considered without the other. Analysis through each of these categories may shed light as to how the others motivate Gen Z civic and political engagement. It may also allow showcasing how each of these categories interconnect.

SCOPE

SCOPE

1.1.     Substantive scope: 

The landscape analysis is expected to provide a rigorous global analysis of the relevant factors that inform civic and political choices of Gen Z young people, through each of the project’s five lenses (Identities; Experiences; Relationships; Action; Context). The analysis may also explain how each lens may intersect or co-relate with the other lenses in informing civic and political choices of Gen Z. The analysis is also expected to particularly highlight expressions of Gen Z in relation to the factors informing their civic and political choices. 

1.2.    Temporal scope:

•    The analysis must focus on Gen Z young people. This practically imposes a temporal scope that covers the past five to eight years at the most (i.e. between 2017 and 2025). Empirical data (if any) used in the analysis and that relate directly to Gen Z young people’s experiences must have been collected within this timeframe.

•    Data or literature references relevant to ontology, theory, concepts, historical or geographical contextualisation or discussion that does not directly relate to Gen Z young people’s experiences may extend beyond that timeframe and do not need to adhere to the temporal scope indicated above.  

DATA

DATA

This analysis should be informed by:

• The terms of the project’s Framing Document;
• Existing literature and secondary data about Gen Z that is available globally;
• Media sources, posts and material on or by Gen Z young people in the past 5 to 10 years;
• Publicly available expressions by Gen Z young people, accessed through social media sites or other outlets and given due recognition.

ASSIGNMENTS

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General a.i. for Sciences, the overall guidance of the Chief of the Youth Coordination Section and the immediate supervision of the Associate Programme Specialist at the UNESCO Headquarters, the expert(s) will collaborate to complete the Landscape Analysis required by the project. The incumbents shall:

• Undertake state-of-the-art research, including the research available in the project’s Framing Document, to inform the Analysis
• Identify possible additional contributors to the Analysis, particularly options to engage Gen Z young people
• Write the full manuscript of the Analysis, according to UNESCO publication guidelines (to be provided by UNESCO), in a good standard English, and in a timely manner. Ensure a first draft (approx. 10-15 standard pages, without annexes), relevant revisions, as well as a final draft (same length) that is considered satisfactory by UNESCO, integrating UNESCO and peer review inputs.
• Ensure that the research and final publication have the highest standards and rigor of scientific and academic publications published by peer-reviewed journals. 

CONTRACT DURATION

The duration of the contract is of 3 months. 

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• PhD degree in social and political sciences, humanities, youth development or any other field relevant to the scope of the publication. 
  
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in research in the area of youth political and civic participation, of which a minimum 1 year on or around young people from Generation Z
• Proven knowledge of the broader (politics, civics, youth) and specific (Gen Z, civic and political issues under the polycrisis and the Anthroposcene era) thematic fields of the project.
• Record of high-quality scholarly research, including publications in peer-reviewed journals or of comparable quality.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 2 high-quality scholar publications, in the past 5 years, on Gen Z civic and political participation
• Proven knowledge of specific thematic categories relevant to the project (e.g. digital technologies; social movements; climate action and relation to nature; citizenship; empathy; identity-building; mental health) 
• University affiliation and teaching experience
• Familiarity with the UN system, especially with UNESCO, considered an advantage. 
• Knowledge of French or Spanish

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Proven conceptual and analytical skills
• Excellent research skills
• Excellent knowledge of concepts relevant to youth, politics and civics

• Ability to work with peers
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and maintain effective team cooperation
• Capacity to work independently and in a timely manner
• Understanding and adherence to the UN principles.
   

LANGUAGES

Fluency in both written and spoken English.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should complete the online application and submit as a single PDF document in the “Employment History Form” section the following documents:

• A letter of interest explaining how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• UNESCO Employment History Form, accompanied by a list of past works such as articles, reports or publications authored or co-authored, with hyperlinks to access such works if they are available online.
• A Technical Proposal comprising 1) Statement indicating how the candidate’s qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment 2) Approach (methodology and detailed workplan) the candidate would adopt to carry out the assignment (maximum 4 pages)
• A Financial Proposal indicating the monthly rate in USD to be charged for the assignment.
  
  

Applications submitted without all the requested documents will not be considered.

IMPORTANT

Application should be done through Success Factor only. In case you are unable to attach the required documents in the system, you may send an email to sc.recruitment@unesco.org quoting the reference (24038) in the subject line of your e-mail.  No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.Please note:That all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.