Individual Consultant-Culture (Regional Survey on World Heritage Cities and Climate Action)
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) : 07-JUN-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office in Bangkok is seeking an individual specialist to implement a regional survey related to World Heritage Cities and Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific region. The survey seeks to identify and analyze the current situations and challenges that World Heritage Cities in the Asia-Pacific region face in relation to climate change, propose potential solutions, and share the knowledge gained widely with relevant stakeholders.
Background information
UNESCO recognises the urgent need to understand and enhance the resilience of World Heritage Cities in the face of climate change. As urban heritage is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related threats, the project aims to conduct a comprehensive situational analysis through a regional survey targeting the selected 42 World Heritage Cities in the Asia-Pacific region. This project will also contribute to broader efforts under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the inclusion of culture in climate resilience strategies. The results will be disseminated through webinars and a regional meeting in early 2026.
Long Description
Duties and Responsibilities
Within the framework of protecting World Heritage properties, under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Culture Unit, the incumbent will conduct a complementary literature review, design and implement a regional survey targeting site managers of the selected World Heritage Cities, and deliver an analytical report synthesizing findings and providing practical recommendations for policy and practice.
In particular, the incumbent will undertake the following:
1. Review relevant literature and existing data on climate impacts and adaptation measures related to World Heritage Cities, historic urban landscape and cultural heritage in general and specifically in Asia and the Pacific, taking into consideration the key topics or themes indicated in the existing relevant studies such as ICCROM relevant studies and Reports of the International Co-sponsored Meeting on Culture, Heritage, and Climate Change (ICSM-CHC);
2. Design, implement and analyse an online regional survey targeting the selected 42 World Heritage City site managers, in consultation with UNESCO;
a. Formulate specific questionnaire by taking into account the existing baseline data extracted from the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting in the Asia-Pacific region (conducted in 2020-2023), while also reflecting the findings of abovementioned literature review and latest policies and frameworks related to climate change and cultural heritage, including but not limited to,
- Updated Policy Document on Climate Action for World Heritage;
- Reports of the International Co-sponsored Meeting on Culture, Heritage, and Climate Change (ICSM-CHC);
- Report on the results of the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting in the region of Asia and the Pacific, and Regional Framework Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific;
- Existing outcomes made by other relevant agencies such as WMO, UN-Habitat and Centre for Livable Cities in Singapore
- Culture and sustainable development initiatives
- Case studies and guidance developed by each country, for example by Australia
b. Conduct an online survey and ensure follow-up with site managers to help improve the response rates such as through participating in online information sessions for respondents and wider stakeholders such as WMO, UN-Habitat and Centre for Liveable Cities Singapore, in consultation with UNESCO:
c. Analyse the collected data to identify trends, challenges, good practices, key areas of needs and possible solutions;
d. Draft and finalize a comprehensive analytical report based on the study. The report should integrate the findings from both the literature review and the questionnaire survey, and include the key challenges and needs currently faced by World Heritage Cities in the Asia-Pacific region, along with possible solutions and approaches so that the report will be able to serve as a foundation for the design of future training activities and projects based on the study’s outcomes. The report should include visual summaries, recommendations, and case examples;
3. Participate in an online seminar to present the findings of the survey and literature review to the relevant stakeholders;
4. Help design the programme of the Regional Meeting planned in Japan around March 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed),
5. Attend the Regional Meeting planned in Japan around March 2026, and present the key findings of the analysis to the participating World Heritage City site managers.
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: Online, with required mission to participate in a Regional Meeting to be held in Japan in March 2026 (TBC)
Deliverable and Timeframe
The proposed work schedule is as follows:
- June-July 2025: Literature review launch
- July 2025: Finalization of questionnaire
- July–August 2025: Questionnaire dissemination and response collection; information session; literature review
- September 2025: Final follow-ups, closing the survey
- October–November 2025: Data analysis and drafting of final report
- December 2025: Finalization of report
- January–February 2026: Webinars for site managers to share findings
- March 2026: Regional Meeting to share findings in Japan (TBC)
In consultation with UNESCO, the contractor shall submit the following deliverables in English by the indicated dates for review and feedback by UNESCO:
1. Proposed Workplan by 30 June 2025
2. Finalised questionnaire for the online survey by 31 July 2025
3. Final report for the survey by 1 December 2025
4. Performance report for the Regional Meeting by 31 March 2026
In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.
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 management studies, climate change adaptation, or related professional areas, with a sub-specialization related to conservation of historic cities if possible
Professional Work experience:
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the field of heritage conservation and management;
• Proven experience in working in international, multi-sectorial environments;
• Proven experience in working on cultural heritage and climate action;
• Proven experience in conducting questionnaire surveys and literature review in heritage contexts.
Languages :
Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work experience:
• Relevant experience with international organization and multilateral is an asset.
• Previous experience at World Heritage sites in Asia and the Pacific.
Skills and Competencies:
• Knowledge of Asia-Pacific culture and heritage issues
• Good knowledge of climate action issues
• Proven conceptual and analytical skills
• Effective planning and organizing ability
• Capacity to follow up and coordinate independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills
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 examples of similar prior assignments, and contact details of 2 references including email addresses and telephone numbers.
• A motivation letter.
• A brief proposal on approach/methodology on how to carry out the assignment (maximum 2, A4 pages) and the proposed total and daily professional rate fee, including travel cost for missions.
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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