Individual Consultant-Culture (Heritage, Sustainable Development and Creative industries)
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)
Duty Station: Bangkok
Job Family: Culture
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-MAR-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background Information
The Culture Unit of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok aims to enhance UNESCO Member States’ capacity to safeguard heritage and promote culture towards sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. The Unit is responsible for wide range of programme areas, namely :
(i) safeguarding World Heritage, intangible cultural heritage, museums, underwater cultural heritage and other movable heritage,
(ii) promoting creativity including the cultural and creative industries,
(iii) linking culture and development, particularly towards the SDGs and in the context of cities.
Purpose of the Assignment
Within the diverse Culture programmatic areas, the selected consultant will provide technical expertise related to culture heritage and sustainable development, including climate change and emergency contexts. The consultant will take the lead in conceptualizing and delivering strategies, projects and plans in order to support strengthening national capacity among Member States in policy-making and operational implementation in line with the UNESCO Culture Conventions and other international and regional frameworks and best practices.
Long Description
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and the direct supervision of the Chief of Culture Unit of UNESCO Bangkok the Individual Specialist shall provide high-level advisory inputs and contribute to UNESCO’s mandate and outputs in 42 C/5, through critical analysis and development of innovative approaches in culture programming. :
More specifically, the Individual Specialist shall be responsible for the following:
1. Provide professional expertise and advice to the Chief of Culture Unit on the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of culture programmes and projects, including support within the framework of the UNESCO culture conventions, as follows:
1.1 Under the 1972 Convention: Provide technical inputs and oversight for a thematic study on industrial heritage related to updating the World Heritage tentative list for South-East Asia. Provide technical inputs for activities related to climate action in World Heritage cities and towns.. In addition, develop and implement other programmes related to urban heritage with reference to the UNESCO recommendation on Historic Urban landscape (2011) and provide technical support to States Parties in World Heritage protection and management;
1.2 Related to culture, heritage and education: Lead the development of the implementation strategy and provide technical inputs for the Shared Heritage: Museums in South-East Asia project. In the spirit of the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society (2015) and the new UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education, lead the development of new strategies and programmes to enhance the role of culture in contributing to SDG Targets;
1.3 Related to culture in emergencies: Conceptualize and provide technical support for strengthening civil society actions for safeguarding cultural heritage and other activities related to emergency response and disaster risk mitigation, by seeking the collaboration and inputs of relevant international, regional and national bodies and experts;
1.4 Related to culture and sustainable development: Provide technical advice in the development of new strategies, programmes and partnerships to demonstrate the role of culture in contributing to the SDGs , especially in the framework of the Mondiacult Declaration (2022) and the 2025 ConferenceThis includes activities under the 2030 UNESCO Culture Indicators and initiatives related to sustainable tourism;
1.5 Under the 2005 Convention: Provide technical advice related to activities and projects to promote the diversity of cultural expressions. This includes activities to develop the cultural and creative industries in South-East Asia Lead on the development of the implementation strategy and provide technical inputs for the UNESCO Korea Funds-In-Trust for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries (KFIT Phase II) project in South-East Asia;
1.6 Related to sustainable heritage management: Provide expert inputs for the UNESCO Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation and training activities under the Competence Framework for Cultural Heritage Management.
2. Specific functions will include, but not be limited to:
2.1. Ensure timely execution of activities, in accordance with the approved strategies, workplans, project documents and budgets, by liaising with partners, experts, consultants, and UNESCO field offices;
2.2. Undertake monitoring of programmes, projects and activities in accordance with the approved strategies, workplans, project documents and budgets;
2.3. Undertake review and analysis of expert reports, policy documents and other projects outputs;
2.4. Prepare briefings, technical reports, progress reports and final reports related to Culture Sector’s implementation;
2.5. Conduct missions as foreseen in the programme and project work plans.
3. Develop partnerships with related organizations with a view to facilitate implementation, maximize impact and identify opportunities for further collaboration; Take an active role in the formulation and preparation of proposals for resource mobilization, in alignment with UNESCO Culture Sector’s priorities.
4. Support visibility and communication of Culture Unit, including official communications and public documents. Prepare communication/outreach materials for website, press releases, speeches and presentations related to programmes and projects.
Travel:
The Individual Specialist will be required to travel on missions directly related to programmes and projects implementation during the assignment. The Individual Specialist should travel economy class and receive DSA attached standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Individual Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission.
Duty station: Bangkok, Thailand with missions to be determined
Deliverable and Timeframe
1 Summary results of the Shared Heritage: Museums in SEA Survey and webinar recording and draft agenda for project launch and workshop by 30 April 2025
2 Workplan for the implementation of the KFIT Phase II project on cultural and creative industries by 31 May 2025
3 Meeting report from Shared Heritage: Museums in South-East Asia project launch and workshop by 30 June 2025
4 Progress summary for the implementation of activities under the 2005 Convention by 31 July 2025
5 Progress summary for the Asia-Pacific Sustainable Travel Programme by 31 August 2025
6 Final report on the Industrial Heritage study in South-East Asia by 30 September 2025
7 Progress report update for activities that support cultural heritage and CCI’s in Myanmar by 31 October 2025
8 Progress report on projects and activities supporting the UNESCO Creative City Network in SEA by 30 November 2025
9 Final report on the Financing Culture and Creativity in South-East Asia by 31 December 2025
10 Mid-term narrative report for KFIT Phase II project by 31 January 2026
11 Workplan for Shared Heritage: Museum in South-East Asia by 28 February 2026
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent and above) in the field of arts and culture, heritage studies, cultural industries, development studies, architecture or related professional areas, with a sub-specialization related to conservation if possible.
Professional Work experience:
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the field of culture and creativity, of which at least five years acquired at the regional/international level
- Wide networks in the Southeast Asia/Asian region
- Proven experience in implementing and coordinating multi-country projects
- Proven track record in fundraising and building partnerships
Languages :
Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work experience:
• Relevant experience with international organization and multilateral is an asset.
Skills and Competencies:
• Knowledge of Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia culture and heritage issues
• Proven conceptual and analytical skills
• Effective planning and organizing ability
• Capacity to follow up and coordinate independently with minimal supervision
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a dynamic and multicultural team environment
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills
• Proven capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships inside and outside the organization
• Ability to work under pressure
Application Process
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’.
Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:
• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work experience, including prior experience of similar work.
• A statement including how your qualification and experience make you suitable for this assignment and motivation letter.
• A brief proposal (1-2 pages) , A brief proposal on approach/methodology on how to carry out the assignment and the proposed fee total and monthly rate in USD. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately.
Assessment
• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English.
Note:
• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s)about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at culture.bgk@unesco.org.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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