Call for Consultancy: Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Indicator Framework – UIS Montreal (Montreal, Canada) contract Full Time

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 – Middle

Hiring Unit : Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station : Montreal

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC−5 Time) : 13/03/2026

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

IMPORTANT: APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Please submit the required documents as a single PDF file, instead of the Employment History Form. The package should include:

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae

2. Technical Proposal – A 1–2 page document outlining your approach and methodology for the assignment

3. Financial Proposal – Total fee for the assignment in US dollars, with travel costs listed separately

Background
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the statistical branch of the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture. 
As part of the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development (2021) and the subsequent decision by UNESCO Member States (212 EX/46; 212 EX/DG.INF Rev.; 212 EX/56), the UIS will develop the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Indicators Framework and associated Conceptual and Methodological Document. This framework will establish a coherent set of indicators and methodological guidelines for measuring the economic, social, and cultural aspects of the cultural and creative industries. This tool is intended to enhance national and international processes for monitoring, evaluating, and analysing the CCI sector, thereby supporting evidence-based policy development and informed decision-making. Furthermore, the methodology will enable the generation of internationally comparable data, facilitating the comparative analysis of the cultural and creative industries. The indicators methodology will be based on the newly published 2025 UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics (FCS). 

Objective
The objective of the project is to develop a global Cultural and Creative Industries Indicators Framework based on the 2025 UNESCO FCS Concepts and Definitions and produce the corresponding conceptual and methodological manual.
The project will be implemented in two stages. In the initial stage, a CCI Indicators Framework will be developed. Throughout this phase, the framework will be reviewed by the UIS CCI Indicators Advisory Group and will undergo a comprehensive global consultation led by UIS.
Upon finalization of the CCI Indicators Framework, the second stage will involve the production of the corresponding Conceptual and Methodological Manual, intended for use by UNESCO, national governments, and the research community.

The consultant will produce the following:

• A final Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Framework that will include the conceptual model, list of indicators, with the indicator description, its policy importance and calculation method.
• A corresponding final Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Indicators Conceptual and Methodological Manual.

The scope of work encompasses, but is not limited to, the following areas:

• An overview of existing CCI policy priorities at global and regional levels.
• A summary of existing national CCI indicator frameworks or indicator initiatives.
• A summary of consultations with selected international and national stakeholders (outside the formal global consultation process) to help identify CCI policy and associated measurement and indicator development needs and priorities. The consultations can be in the form of online interviews and/or the use of an electronic questionnaire.
• A summary of the principal issues surrounding the challenges in measuring the CCI sector.

The project is scheduled to commence in April 2026 and conclude in February 2027, with a total duration of 11 months.

1.    CCI Indicators Framework – Draft 1 for UIS CCI Advisory Group review (30 May 2026)
2.    CCI Indicators Framework – Draft 2 for Global Consultation (30 July 2026)
3.    CCI Indicators Framework – Draft 3 for UIS CCI Advisory Group review (30 October 2026)
4.    CCI Indicators Framework – Final (15 December 2026)
5.    CCI Indicators Conceptual and Methodological Manual – Draft 1 (28 February 2027)
6.    CCI Indicators Conceptual and Methodological Manual – Final (30 March 2027)

Travel
The consultant will be required to participate in two meetings of the UIS CCI Advisory Group. If travel is necessary, any associated expenses will be reimbursed separately from the terms outlined in this contract.

• 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.

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master or PhD degree or equivalent) in quantitative disciplines (e.g. statistics, economics, social sciences,) and preferably in a cultural discipline.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 7-10 years working experience in culture statistics and/or research. A total of 3-5 years of experience working with the use of international statistics/indicators of the culture and creative ecosystem is desirable. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent oral and writing English communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to conduct research.
• Effective organizational and people skills.
• Proficient in time management.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Client and collaborative.

LANGUAGES

• Demonstrates strong proficiency in both spoken and written English. Familiarity with an additional United Nations language (French, Spanish or Arabic) is considered advantageous for supporting the requirements of this assignment.

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file).  At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

Part 1: Technical Proposal

a) an up-to-date curriculum vitae.

b) a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment.

c) an indication of the approach (methodology, detailed workplan) he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO

Part 2: Financial Proposal 
a)    A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD and expressed on a monthly basis – and the overall cost of the assignment, expressed as an overall lump-sum. 
Applications submitted without the Technical and Financial proposal will not be considered.

Additional information:
•    The selected candidate can work remotely. 
•    This consultant contract is for a period of 11 months, and the workload corresponds to a full-time consultancy. 
•    Estimated contract start date: April 2026.

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

Selection will be based on eligibility criteria and the fee proposal as follows:
1. Eligibility criteria (70%)
     a. The relevance of academic credentials (10%)
     b. Professional experience (30%)
     c. Proposed approach document (30%)

2. Fee proposal (30%) 

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).

• 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.