I have been trying working all missions for my chosen faction's minor factions, doing only missions for one faction at a station, doing all types of missions and sticking to one type + donation missions.
I have been trying for several weeks yet and cannot get the next ascension mission up.
It may be that things have changed and the higher you progress, the longer the wait. I have had to cancel a couple of missions (due to time or incompetence) but still no joy.
No convinced it is 100% bug (and not just we as players not understanding the full implications of getting these progression missions).
I try to keep in mind that any one of us can do 'something' and get an ascension mission and then claim that was what triggered it - but it could quite as easily been lucky timing.
For example, I farted quite loudly before getting my last ascension mission show in the bulletin board. Alas, I have tried many times over the last couple of weeks to repeat this, but it hasn't worked.
I also have rank of Count - which I am told is enough for the Facece permit - but I don't have that either so I am aiming for the next rank to see if that triggers it.