Individual Consultant: Culture specialist -Built Heritage, World Heritage and Capacity Building

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

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 Bangkok Time) : 15-Nov-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 the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO 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, 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 mainly contribute to the programme areas related to built heritage, world heritage and capacity building, particularly in providing technical support and strengthening national capacity among Member States. 

Long Description

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the direct supervision of the Chief of Culture Unit (CLT), the Individual Specialist will assist the Culture Unit with programmes related to the conservation of immovable cultural heritage. Specifically, the Individual Specialist will undertake the planning, implementation and coordination of activities primarily related to CLT Output1 (Member States capacities strengthened to identify, protect and manage tangible heritage) as follows:  

Terms and Reference 

1. Provide technical advice and contribute to safeguarding World Heritage under the Regular Programme (RP) activities (raising capacity of States Parties for identifying, nominating, monitoring, managing World Heritage) and Voluntary Contribution (VC) projects related to World Heritage, including but not limited to, the “Cultural Heritage - A Driver of Climate Action for resilient World Heritage cities in APA” under UNESCO/Japanese Funds-In-Trust projects, as follows:

a.           Provide coordination inputs for smooth collaboration with local counterparts and partners to ensure the programmes and projects are implemented in line with the approved budgets and workplans;
b.           Provide technical inputs to counterparts to build capacity and implement enhanced monitoring and management measures as foreseen in World Heritage Committee decision and Reactive Monitoring Mission recommendations;
c.           Provide technical inputs for undertaking management plans, publications, training manuals and training activities;
d.           Facilitate knowledge sharing activities, to ensure field components and experiences are reflected in larger sub-regional / regional outputs and outcomes;
e.           Prepare advocacy materials and regular news/media updates for programme and project activities;
f.            Prepare project updates and substantive progress reports for programme and projects.

2. Provide technical advice and contribute to the programme activities of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation as follows: 

a.        Provide inputs for the annual awards cycle (covering call for entries, judging, announcement), including preparing communications with entry submitters, jury members, Field Offices and network of heritage practitioners, professional associations, civil society organizations, culture agencies, local government and other related bodies;
b.           Support programme advocacy through UNESCO Bangkok, Field Offices and regional partner channels to increase the diversity in terms of programme participation and impact;
c.           Develop design direction for Awards materials and public platforms, and generate content for advocacy materials, print publications, other promotional media, exhibition materials and platforms;
d.           In consultation with experts, develop outline for upcoming best practice publication under the Asia Conserved series and work with authors and illustrators to generate content;
e.           Provide technical inputs in the development of a knowledge management platform to disseminate good practices and lessons from the Awards programme to a wider audience; 
f.            Organize technical seminars and capacity building activities to share best practices from the Awards winners with a view to raising awareness of good conservation practice; 
g.           Develop partnerships/sponsorships including identification of new funding opportunities; and
h.           Develop and coordinate new activities related to the Awards programme, including engaging youth and emerging practitioners.

Long Description

3. Provide technical advice and contribute to the organizational and technical capacity building programmes related to the “Competence Framework for Cultural Heritage Management” hereinafter called "the Framework"
a.           In consultation with experts and specialized training institutes, provide inputs to the development of courses and oversee the generation of course content (curricula, teaching materials, exercises) to ensure conformity with international best standards and guidelines related to heritage management;
b.           Organize courses including, but not limited to, Sustainable Heritage Management courses showcasing World Heritage and Heritage Awards case studies (including Masterclass series and executive courses);
c.           Undertake advocacy and provide technical advice in applying the Framework for individual and institutional assessments;  
d.           Provide technical advice to Chief of Culture unit on providing assistance to and collaborating with partners such as universities and heritage organizations in the assessment or development of university programmes and courses applying the Framework;
e.           Coordinate the development of online platforms for disseminating material related to the Framework

4. Contribute advice and inputs for other educational activities related to cultural heritage management and higher education network activities, particularly related to UNESCO Chairs in heritage and the Asian Academy for Heritage Management in close coordination with the Secretariat for the network.

5. Provide technical inputs and coordination for other Bangkok/Culture (BGK/CLT) programmes and activities related to:
a.           Culture and cities including Historic Urban Landscape (HUL), including through creativity and mobilizing digital technologies;   
b.           Activities targeting youth, including heritage apprenticeship programme for the benefit of heritage agencies in the sub-region/region;  
c.           Sustainable heritage tourism.

6. General tasks related to the above programmatic implementation will include:
a.           Share/present above programme activities at various events; 
b.           Prepare and compile elements for the regular monitoring internally and reporting to donors;
c.           Contribute inputs to Chief of Culture Unit to resource mobilization and partnership building under the framework of these initiatives. 

7. Undertake mission travel which may be assigned by Chief of Culture Unit. The travel costs shall be covered by UNESCO.

 -            Undertake a 6 days mission to Kyoto, Japan in March 2026, to facilitate overall coordination, manage logistical arrangements, and participate in the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on World Heritage Cities and Climate Action (date to be confirmed)

8. Carry out additional tasks as required and assigned by Chief of Culture Unit or the Office Director.

9. Location and Travel:

    a. The Individual Specialist will be based in Bangkok, Thailand.

    b. The Individual Specialist will be required to travel on missions directly related to the programme or project implementation during the assignment.

    c. The Individual Specialist should travel economy class and receive DSA at the standard rate (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 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.

    d. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining a certificate for BSAFE security awareness training, which is available on the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) website (https://training.dss.un.org), UNDSS security clearance through UNDSS's Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system for the countries to be visited, before travelling, and obtain prior approval of the Director/Head of the field office to which the travel has been agreed.

    e. After completion of the official travel, the traveller must prepare a travel settlement and submit it to UNESCO to indicate whether the travel was completed as originally authorized or with changes. The traveller is required to:

       •   attach proof of travel and travel expenses with the travel settlement;

       •   declare any deviation from the itinerary or duration of the trip, which must be clearly detailed in order to allow for any necessary re-costing;

       •    declare any free or subsidised accommodation, meals, transportation to or from the terminal or transportation provided by the host/inviting body, an airline or a hotel.

       •     submit a mission report to UNESCO after the completion of the mission. Reports should clearly indicate the objective(s) of the mission, results achieved, any follow-up action required and recommendations that the traveller deems appropriate.

In line with UNESCO’s standard-setting objective and role in promoting and safeguarding cultural heritage, the Individual Specialist is expected to integrate a cultural perspective in all activities and apply culturally-sensitive mainstreaming approaches whenever feasible.

Long Description

Deliverable and Timeframe 

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 5 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the field of culture 
• 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   
• Relevant experience with international organization and multilateral is an asset

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

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 

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken), fluency in at least one Asian language is an asset.

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 updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment. 

• Written technical and financial proposals (in English): 

  • Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 1-2 pages, A4 pages), a workplan and comments on the Terms of Reference,  and 
  • The proposed daily or monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment including travel cost for mission, which should be quoted in USD. 

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.

Additional Information
•    Travel costs should be included in the financial proposal.
•    This contract is for a period of 11 months, with/without the possibility of extension. Estimated start date is February 2026

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

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