Expert consultant- Behavioural Science and SDG Localisation

The consultancy will provide expert academic and methodological input to project design, stakeholder engagement, practical guidance, and project scoping, while helping strengthen the strategic contribution of behavioural science across the wider initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultancy services are for the Beyond Lab, located in the Office of the Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). The selected consultant is expected to start beginning of November 2026, for an initial period of 6 months. Under the supervision of the Director of the Beyond Lab, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Behavioural science strategy, methodological leadership, and project design

• Lead the behavioural science approach, ensuring methodological rigour and alignment with project objectives.
• Translate the proposal into a practical, behaviourally grounded workplan and outputs.
• Identify key behavioural barriers, decision points, and opportunities.
• Develop applied frameworks, diagnostics, and guidance for partners.
• Provide senior technical advice on applying behavioural science in practice.

2. Stakeholder engagement, workshop support, and project scoping

• Lead design and delivery of a workshop with internal and external UN stakeholders.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and identification of high-value use cases.
• Lead selection and scoping of 2-3 priority projects.
• Provide light-touch behavioural diagnosis and advisory input.
• Support coordination and relationship-building across partners.

3. Guidance, learning products, and strategic input

• Develop practical guidance on behavioural science application.
• Translate insights into clear, actionable advice for policymakers and practitioners.
• Contribute case examples and applied recommendations.
• Support development of briefings, presentations, and training materials.
• Contribute to reports, concept notes, and strategic outputs.
• Advise on future opportunities, including piloting and evaluation.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (PhD's degree or equivalent) in behavioural science, public policy, psychology, behavioural economics, development, political science, or a closely related field is required. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in applied behavioural science, including a strong track record of designing, leading, and advising on behavioural interventions, research, experiments, and policy innovation in complex, real-world settings is required. Experience working with governments, multilateral institutions, or international development actors including UN in innovation, is strongly desirable. Experience that helps distinguish this consultancy as highly relevant to the role, including academic leadership in behavioural science and public policy is desirable. Experience supporting or advising UN-related behavioural science work, experience working with international organisations including UNICEF is desirable. Experience leading applied policy and behavioural science work in university and government settings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language and/or French is an advantage.

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.