BACKGROUND

UNESCO’s global mission is to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication as a means to build peace, foster intercultural dialogue, reduce poverty, and achieve sustainable development. In the area of ​​culture, the two main areas of intervention are the protection and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage, and support for the arts and creativity.
In accordance with this global mandate, the UNESCO Office in Peru supports and contributes to the management and preservation of the country’s cultural and natural heritage through technical assistance and strategic projects. In partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), it is implementing the project “Establishing a Circular Economy for Sustainable Tourism in the Cusco Region, Peru” (2025–2032). This project is being carried out in the Cusco Region, specifically in the provinces of Urubamba and Cusco, and aims to promote sustainable tourism and contribute to heritage protection by strengthening the management of inorganic solid waste and fostering behavioral change in local communities and among tourists. This project will be implemented by the UNESCO office in Peru and Project Management Consulting (PMC).
The Cusco region is experiencing rapid population growth, high tourism pressure, and inadequate solid waste management, generating environmental challenges that affect both the quality of life of residents and the conservation of its three World Heritage sites.
The project explores solutions to address these challenges over the next seven years, applying differentiated strategies based on the types of inorganic solid waste generators. It also employs an intersectoral approach and Behavior-Centered Design (BCD) methodology to transform habits into sustainable practices.
The Behavioral Science and Awareness Specialist will be based in Cusco and will report directly to the Project Coordinator, ensuring effective management aligned with the Organization’s objectives.

AIM

The objective of this consultancy is to contribute to the design and implementation of innovative strategies using behavior-centered design methodology, based on evidence and adapted to the cultural context of the Cusco region, that promote the sustained adoption of circular and environmentally responsible practices in communities, educational institutions, recyclers and actors in the tourism sector.

MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the framework of the implementation of the activities and/or projects of the Culture Sector of the UNESCO Office in Peru and under the authority of the Head of the UNESCO Office in Peru and the direct supervision of the National Culture Officer and the Project Coordinator, the Behavioral Science and Awareness Specialist shall:

1. Design and validate behavior change strategies aimed at adopting sustainable and circular economy practices, using Behavior-Centered Design (BCD) methodology and adapting them to the sociocultural context of the territory. In coordination with the project coordinator, the tasks include:
• Coordinating with the EDUCCA Program specialists.
• Developing educational tools, awareness materials, and communication messages for local communities, educational institutions, recycling associations, and tourism operators, considering an intercultural approach, in coordination with the Communication for Development Specialist.
• Developing methodological proposals, intervention guides, educational content, and participatory assessments aimed at fostering environmental awareness and citizen participation in project activities.
• Actively participating in technical meetings, co-creation sessions, and feedback sessions, working with the Project Coordinator and field teams to adapt, adjust, and iterate behavioral strategies based on evidence and lessons learned during implementation.
• Propose and design mechanisms for testing and validating behavioral interventions in pilot settings, including identifying key stimuli, barriers and facilitators of behavior, as well as defining indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

2. Ensure the proper implementation of behavior change strategies. Tasks include:
• Providing technical support in the preparation of Terms of Reference (TORs) for the execution of project-related activities.
• Supporting training and community empowerment processes, facilitating participatory methodologies that promote social ownership and commitment to project actions.
• Supervising the execution of pilot awareness-raising activities in the field (fairs, workshops, school campaigns, community events, etc.), ensuring technical quality, alignment with the project’s key messages, and adherence to established timelines.
• Observing and documenting the behavioral responses of target audiences to the implemented strategies, identifying factors that promote or hinder the adoption of expected behaviors, to provide feedback that allows for adjusting and innovating interventions.

3. Generate periodic technical reports with evidence, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling up or adjusting the interventions. Tasks include:
• Designing and implementing behavioral assessment tools (surveys, participant observation, interviews) to identify and measure changes in the attitudes, practices, and perceptions of the target audiences, adapted to the sociocultural context and aligned with the Behavior-Centered Design methodology.
• Analyzing the results to prepare periodic technical reports that include evidence, lessons learned, and recommendations for improving interventions, highlighting facilitators, barriers, and conditions that influence the effectiveness of the strategies.
• Collaborating with the monitoring analyst to integrate behavioral findings into project monitoring reports, ensuring that the information is clear, useful, and facilitates decision-making for adjusting and scaling up the strategies.

4. Provide recommendations and technical support to project specialists in the implementation of other activities related to the application of behavior change strategies. Tasks include:
• Participating in internal planning sessions with project specialists to identify key moments and critical points where incorporating a behavioral perspective can improve the design and execution of activities.
• Advising on the adaptation of existing project content, materials, and methodologies, integrating behavioral principles such as motivation, habit formation, incentives, and social norms to make interventions more effective.
• Facilitating specific technical assistance sessions, both in-person and virtual, aimed at strengthening the team’s capacity in the practical application of behavior change strategies across the different components of the project.

5. Contribute to the development of presentations, informational documents, and narrative and technical reports for the project, in coordination with the monitoring analyst and the project coordinator, following the formats agreed upon between UNESCO and KOICA. Tasks include:
• Systematizing findings, qualitative evidence, and best practices derived from the implementation of behavioral strategies, for inclusion in the project’s technical and narrative reports, ensuring coherence and clarity.
• Developing communication materials, such as informational documents and slides, for institutional presentations, ensuring they are conceptually clear and aligned with the methodological approaches and guidelines established by UNESCO and KOICA.
• Supporting the drafting of recommendations and conclusions based on lessons learned from the behavioral component, for internal and external reports requested by KOICA and UNESCO, maintaining technical quality and adhering to agreed-upon formats.

6. Participate in project meetings to present progress and results related to the implementation of behavior change strategies. Tasks include:

• Prepare executive summaries and brief reports highlighting the main achievements, challenges, and lessons learned related to the implementation of behavior change strategies, targeting institutional audiences and decision-makers.
• Clearly and thoroughly present behavioral outcomes to key stakeholders in the region, donor representatives, and other interested parties, emphasizing evidence, lessons learned, and contributions to achieving project objectives.
• Coordinate with the Project’s Education and Coordination Specialist to ensure appropriate technical participation in inter-institutional coordination forums, follow-up meetings, and other events convened by UNESCO, KOICA, or other related entities.

7. Be available to travel within the project area and consider this aspect in the technical and financial proposal.

8. Other functions that may be assigned by the project coordinator with prior authorization from the National Culture Officer.

COMPETENCES (Core / Managerial)

The professional, under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Culture Sector of the UNESCO Office in Peru, and the Project Coordinator, must rigorously guarantee the effective implementation of the activities and the efficient management of the schedule by preparing the following deliverables:

Product 1

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Work plan and initial diagnosis of behavioral practices
b) Summary document of successful experiences in the application of behavior change strategies related to the project objective at the national and/or international level.
c) Certificates of courses: BSAFE, PSEA and UNESCO Ethics and Integrity.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

After 30 days

Product 2

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Behavior change strategy document (design phase), with a BCD approach adapted to the context.
b) Participatory validation report with key stakeholders: authorities, educators, recyclers, and tourism operators.
c) Technical analysis of stimuli, barriers, and facilitators for behavior change.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 60 days

Product 3

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Proposed design of awareness materials and behavioral tools aimed at priority audiences.
b) Pilot test report of communication messages with an intercultural approach.
c) Technical review of alignment with the project strategy and principles.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 90 days

Product 4

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Report on the implementation of pilot activities (educational, community, tourism).
b) Technical record of supervision and support in the field.
c) Feedback record for preliminary adjustments.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 120 days

Product 5

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Report on the participatory evaluation of implemented strategies.
b) Proposal for methodological adjustments based on evidence.
c) Report on behavioral indicators and observed changes.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 150 days

Product 6

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Document systematizing the processes developed in schools, communities, and tourist sectors.
b) Compilation of graphic evidence and testimonies.
c) Lessons learned for future phases of the project.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 180 days

Product 7

Report on activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Report on inter-institutional coordination with local and regional actors.
b) Monitoring of progress in the adoption of sustainable practices.
c) Proposal for territorial articulation mechanisms.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 210 days

Product 8

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Enhanced strategy document for replication or territorial scaling.
b) Prioritization of territories and key actors for expansion.
c) Roadmap for institutionalization.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 240 days.

Product 9

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Consolidated report of behavioral and awareness results.
b) Behavioral impact matrix by target audience.
c) Strategic recommendations for integration into policies or plans.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 270 days

Product 10

Report of the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Compendium of behavioral tools and methodologies generated.
b) Catalog of good practices and materials validated with replicability criteria.
c) Organized repository of project resources.
d) Record of field visits carried out in the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 300 days

Product 11

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Final consultancy report, including results, critical analysis, and recommendations.
b) Proposal for the institutional sustainability of the behavioral approach in local management.
c) Final presentation to the technical team and donor.
d) Digital folder of tools and products developed during the consultancy.
e) Record of field visits to the project area.

At 330 days

(*) As part of Product 1, the consultant must submit certificates for the United Nations Security – BSAFE courses ( https://training.dss.un.org/) , Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – PSEA ( https://agora.unicef.org/) and Ethics and Integrity ( https://inspira.un.org/)

Any partial or complete products to be published and/or disseminated as official UNESCO material must have the Organization’s validation/approval. These products must include a table of contents, as well as drafts and/or the final draft. UNESCO’s validation and approval will be carried out by the Program Specialist with prior authorization from the Office Director.

REQUIREMENTS

Education
• University degree in Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, Communication, or disciplines related to behavior change.
• Diplomas or specialized courses in behavioral sciences, community awareness, communication, environmental education for social change, or sustainability.

Work Experience
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the design, implementation, or evaluation of awareness campaigns, educational processes, or behavior change strategies related to environmental, social, or community development issues.
• Experience participating in at least 3 interventions or projects that have involved participatory methodologies, working with communities, educational institutions, recyclers, or other social actors.
• Experience using methodological frameworks such as Behavior-Centered Design (BCD), Human-Centered Design, or similar approaches.

Languages
​​• Spanish (native language).
• English (spoken and written).

Other requirements:
• Must reside in Cusco or be available to relocate during the consultancy period.
• Knowledge of the cultural context and prior experience in international cooperation projects will be valued.

TRIPS

The professional must be available to travel within the country, according to the project’s needs. Travel costs will be covered by the Project, in accordance with UNESCO’s internal regulations.

DURATION

Professionals interested in participating should apply to the call for applications and attach the following in a single PDF document:

a) Personal CV.

b) Employment History Form.

c) References (name, position, email address and cell phone number) from the last three (3) experiences.

d) Technical Proposal / Economic Proposal.

Download the application form here . Check your downloads folder.

Only those who pass the first evaluation phase will be contacted.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION

Please note that all candidates must complete an online application providing full and accurate information by visiting the website: https://careers.unesco.org/

The selection of candidates is based on compliance with the requirements of the call for applications and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a skills assessment interview.

During the selection process, UNESCO will use communication tools such as videoconferences, emails, and others.

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted and that those who are in the final selection stage will undergo an evaluation based on the information provided by their references.