Research and Knowledge Management Officer

Host entity: UNESCO

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Data science, information management, Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge management, research, reporting

Application deadline: 05/10/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that contributes to peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. In Myanmar, UNESCO supports education sector coordination, sector planning, evidence generation, capacity strengthening and partnerships to promote equitable, inclusive and quality learning opportunities.

Assignment context

Myanmar's education landscape is characterized by diverse education providers, delivery modalities and operational contexts. Strengthened coordination, evidence generation, knowledge exchange and collaboration among education stakeholders are important to support informed education planning and responses. UNESCO supports education sector coordination and system capacity strengthening in Myanmar, including through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Capacity Grant (SCG). This includes stakeholder engagement, sector research and analysis, technical consultations, evidence generation, knowledge management and learning activities. During the assignment period, particular support will be required for the preparation and implementation of a major multi-stakeholder education learning and coordination initiative bringing together education providers, development partners, local and international organizations, researchers and other education stakeholders. This will require substantial coordination, stakeholder engagement, review and synthesis of evidence and programme experience, preparation of technical and learning materials, documentation and operational support. The UN Volunteer will work as part of UNESCO's Education team to provide coordination, research, evidence and knowledge-management support to these activities, while contributing to ongoing SCG-supported research, assessment and sector coordination work.

Task description

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination in Asia and the Pacific, the direct supervision of the Head of UNESCO Project Antenna Office in Yangon, and in close collaboration with the Education Coordination team, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support the planning and implementation of education sector coordination, learning and knowledge-sharing activities, including workplans, timelines, action trackers and related documentation.

2. Conduct desk reviews, synthesize, and analyze relevant education research, assessments, programme evaluations, data and other available evidence, case studies, programme experiences, presentations and other technical and knowledge products.

3. Liaise with education partners, researchers, technical experts, speakers, facilitators and re-source persons and coordinate required inputs and contributions.

4. Support the organization of seminars/conferences, by developing agendas, thematic discussions, technical sessions, and coordinating related invitations and documentations.

5. Generate and maintain well-organized records, evidence repositories, stakeholder information/mapping, expressions of interest, and activity documentation, applying appropriate confidentiality, data protection, conflict-sensitivity and do-no-harm considerations when handling stakeholder information, education data and research findings.

6. Provide rapporteuring and documentation support during consultations, technical meetings and workshops, including meeting summaries and follow-up actions, learning briefs, technical notes, reports, evidence, lessons, and recommendations.

7. Undertake other related education coordination, research, monitoring, evidence-generation and knowledge-management tasks under the GPE SCG, as required.

Skills and experience

• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree.

• Experience supporting meetings, workshops, consultations, research activities or multi-stakeholder processes.

• Experience in stakeholder engagement and professional communication.

• Ability to prepare analytical papers, briefing materials, meeting records, reports, presenta-tions and other professional documentation.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Ability to synthesize and analyze complex information and communicate findings clearly and concisely.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and familiarity with online collaboration tools.

• Familiarity with Myanmar's education, development or humanitarian context is desirable.

• Previous experience with UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, research institutions or multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms would be an asset.

Competencies and values

☒ Accountability
☒ Adaptability and Flexibility
☒ Building Trust
☒ Commitment and Motivation
☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning
☒ Communication
☒ Creativity
☒ Empowering Others
☒ Ethics and Values
☒ Integrity
☒ Knowledge Sharing
☒ Planning and Organizing
☒ Professionalism
☒ Respect for Diversity
☒ Technological Awareness
☒ Working in Teams

Living conditions

The UNESCO Myanmar Project Office is located around 4km from the Yangon city center (Sule Pagoda), in a safe and tranquil area close to the UNDP compound and two major Embassies (Germany and Japan) as well as one of the most popular places in Yangon – Kandawgyi Lake. The office complies with the safety and security requirements of the United Nations Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS).

An increasing number of apartments with one or two bedrooms can be found in Yangon. Real estate agents are easily available to support the search for housing options. Another way is to join relevant Facebook groups, where property owners usually advertise vacant apartments. For a one- or two-bedroom apartment, the rent may cost around USD 500 to USD 1,500 per month, depending on the conditions and location. Generally, Yangon city is relatively safe compared to other cities of similar size in the region.

Usually, the most convenient way to commute is by taxi, which is about USD 2 one way from city center to the office. Plenty of taxis can be hailed in the streets or arranged using mobile applications such as Grab Taxi easily. Public buses, less than USD 0.2 one way, are also available but usually it may take at least ten minutes to walk to the office from the nearest bus stop. Having a private car is not necessary in Yangon.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.