Associate Project Officer, Digital Games

JOB DETAILS Type of contract : Service Contract Level : SC9 Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station : New Delhi Work location : On site Duration of contract : 12 months Hiring open to : External candidates Application deadline (Midnight India Standard Time (IST) ) : 31/07/2026 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism Duration of Contract is one (1) year, with the possibility of an extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Only Indian Nationals are eligible to apply for this position. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is an integral part of UNESCO and is a specialized Category-I institute that works on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, Target 7, focused on education for peace and sustainable development to foster global citizenship. The Institute approaches this goal by developing courses that build Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies through innovative digital pedagogies. In the realm of educational technology, digital games and gamification have emerged as engaging and effective strategies for better learner/user engagement and learning outcomes. Long Description OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST Under the overall guidance of the Director and direct supervision of the National Project IT Officer, the Associate Project Officer- Digital Games will serve as the primary lead of the digital games for peace program and serve all three objectives. MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES • Design Educational Games for Peace, Well-being, and Sustainability: Collaborate with the digital learning and program teams within UNESCO MGIEP to conceptualize and design digital games that promote education for peace, wellbeing, and sustainability. Ensure that game designs are pedagogically sound and effective, contextually relevant, and aligned with the Institute’s mission. This includes the design and development of games and game-based tools for learning as well as for assessment. • Coordinate with External Development Partners: Liaise with external web, software, and game development vendors to coordinate the development, implementation, and maintenance of educational technology (games) products. Ensure quality control, timely delivery, and alignment with MGIEP’s educational objectives. • Contribute to the Development of Game-Based Educational Courses: Oversee the creation and deployment of digital game-based courses on MGIEP’s learning platform, FramerSpace. Work with educators and stakeholders to adapt content, monitor implementation, provide feedback, and build capacity for integrating game-based learning. • Conduct Research on Game-Based Learning Outcomes: Design and manage research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of game-based educational interventions. Work with internal and external partners to collect and analyze data and contribute to the evidence base for using digital games in transformative education. • Engage with the Broader EdTech Ecosystem: Stay informed about emerging trends in educational technology and game design. Build partnerships with design schools, EdTech companies, and academic institutions to explore innovative approaches and co-develop impactful educational game products. • Collaborate with Internal Teams: Work closely with MGIEP’s learning technologists and program teams to ensure coherence, integration, and innovation across the Institute’s digital learning initiatives. • Any other task as assigned by the Supervisor/ Director. Long Description Long Description EXPECTED RESULTS The Associate Project Officer- Digital Games would be expected to design, develop, and deploy high-quality digital game-based learning products aligned with education for peace, well-being, and sustainability, integrated into the MGIEP digital learning ecosystem. They will ensure pedagogical soundness, user engagement, and timely delivery through coordination with external partners. The officer will support the integration of game-based approaches into courses and conduct research to evaluate learning outcomes. They will also contribute to partnerships with academic and EdTech organizations, while strengthening internal capacity through collaboration, documentation of best practices, and promotion of innovative game-based learning approaches. Long Description Long Description DURATION OF THE CONTRACT The contract shall be for 1 year with a possibility of extension, subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. There will be a probation period of 6 months. Long Description 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 • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or above) in Digital Gaming, Instructional Design, Computer Science, Interactive Media, Learning Technology, or related fields; or an advanced university degree accompanied by at least five years of extensive relevant professional experience in designing and/or managing digital educational products, preferably including game-based learning tools. WORK EXPERIENCE • Minimum 2 years of professional experience in designing and/or managing digital educational products, preferably including game-based learning tools. • Experience in coordinating or conducting research and evaluation related to educational technology or game-based learning. • The candidate must have experience in digital game design and development. • Experience with designing and carrying out research to test the effectiveness of the game-based products. • Familiarity with working across multiple stakeholders. • Familiarity with digital learning platforms. Long Description SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies: • Strong understanding of gamification principles and their application in educational/learning design. • Demonstrable competence in designing educational games aligned with learning goals. • Familiarity with digital learning platforms and tools, preferably experience with platforms like FramerSpace or similar learning experience platforms or learning management systems. • Excellent project management and coordination skills. • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities. • Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams. LANGUAGES • Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken). • Working Knowledge of Hindi. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION • PhD in Digital Gaming, Instructional Design, Computer Science, Interactive Media, Learning Technology, or related fields. WORK EXPERIENCE Technical Skills: • Hands-on experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal) or interactive media design tools. • Basic understanding of programming or scripting languages used in game development. • Familiarity with UX/UI principles in educational game design. • Hands-on experience in the field of pedagogy and learning designs. Long Description Research Background: • Experience in designing or contributing to research studies on digital learning, game-based education, or educational impact assessment. • Publications or contributions to academic or practitioner literature in relevant fields. Sectoral Knowledge: • Understanding of global education frameworks, especially related to peace, well-being, and sustainable development. • Prior experience working in international or multicultural environments, preferably within the UN system or similar organizations. LANGUAGES • Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or regional Indian languages is desirable. BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits, which may include, if applicable: 30 days annual leave, reimbursement of medical insurance (up to 5% of base salary), pension plan (up to 10% of base salary), etc. The Starting Annual Salary for this position is INR 3,286,361. The salary for service contracts is taxable, and it is the responsibility of the contract holder to pay the taxes. Long Description 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. • The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years. • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.