UNESCO now hiring Individual Consultant for 2027 UN Ocean Decade Conference – Remote Consultancy (Deadline 1 June 2026)

UNESCO IOC is hiring! The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is inviting applications for an Individual Consultant to support the preparatory process for the 2027 UN Ocean Decade Conference and the development of 16 Ocean Decade Blueprints. Job Title: Individual Consultant – Support to the Preparatory Process for the 2027 UN Ocean Decade Conference and Development of 16 Ocean Decade Blueprints Job Location: Remote (with limited travel) Closing Date: 1 June 2026 (17:00 Paris time) Contract Type: Individual Consultant (Part-time, 9 months, 110 working days) Working within the Decade Coordination Unit (DCU), the consultant will contribute to shaping a major global milestone for ocean sustainability, advancing the vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want.” About the Role The Consultant will play a central role in supporting international workshops, regional dialogues, and the drafting and consolidation of 16 Ocean Decade Blueprints (8 Solution Blueprints and 8 Regional Blueprints). The assignment will ensure that the Conference preparations are inclusive, science-based, action-oriented, and aligned with global frameworks including the SDGs, biodiversity, and climate agreements. The consultant will report to the Deputy Coordinator of the Ocean Decade Coordination Unit and collaborate closely with the Ocean Decade Secretariat team. Key Responsibilities Workshop and Dialogue Coordination Support planning, coordination, and implementation of eight Ocean Decade Solution Workshops and eight Regional Dialogues Finalize and test workshop methodologies in pilot events Maintain timelines, milestones, and preparatory calendars Provide facilitation training and ongoing technical support to workshop leads Assist in identifying transdisciplinary experts for participation Liaise with the Ocean Decade Communications team to ensure message alignment Editorial Leadership and Blueprint Consolidation Lead drafting and consolidation of 16 Ocean Decade Blueprints Collect and synthesize workshop outputs, commitments, and recommendations Ensure coherence in structure, terminology, tone, and messaging Integrate regional perspectives into global Solution Blueprints Align Blueprints with: Agenda 2030 and the SDGs The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework UNFCCC processes The BBNJ Agreement Identify cross-cutting themes, gaps, and synergies Ensure policy-relevant, accessible language suitable for decision-makers Deliverables and Timeline The consultant will deliver nine structured outputs over 9 months, including: Updated workshop methodologies and editorial guidelines Draft and revised Blueprint documents Cross-referenced and harmonized final Blueprint package Consolidated submission of 16 Ocean Decade Blueprints ready for presentation at the 2027 Conference in Rio de Janeiro Total Duration: 110 working days over 9 months Competencies Ability to manage multiple deliverables under tight deadlines Excellent written and verbal communication in English Strong organizational and timeline management skills Intercultural sensitivity and collaboration skills Familiarity with UN-style writing and policy language Evaluation Criteria Applications will be assessed using a combined scoring method: Technical Competence: 70% Financial Proposal: 30% Technical competence includes academic background, experience with UN processes, drafting expertise, and quality of proposed methodology. Payment and Contract Conditions Monthly payment upon satisfactory submission of monthly activity reports Consultant responsible for own taxes and medical insurance UNESCO provides insurance coverage for work-related incidents No entitlement to paid annual or sick leave Application Process First, DOWNLOAD THE FULL TERMS OF REFERENCE HERE : Candidates must submit: A Technical Proposal (CV, motivation letter, methodology and work plan) A Financial Proposal (quoted in USD or EUR only) Documents must be in English or French and submitted in PDF or Word format. Submissions via cloud storage links will not be accepted. All documents must be attached directly to the email. Applications must not exceed 5MB. Submission Email: m.begmatova@unesco.org Deadline: 1 June 2026, 17:00 Paris time