Consultant - Empowering Arts in Transit

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Cairo

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : Up to 1 month

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 01 June 2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Cairo Office has been supporting the broader community of artists in transit in Egypt and Sudan within the framework of UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and 1980 Recommendation on the Status of Artists and under the Culture in Emergency programme. 

In particular, the UNESCO 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artists emphasizes the professional, social, and economic rights of artists. While it does not explicitly address the status of artists in transit and displacement, it underscores the importance of protecting artists’ rights and freedoms, which is relevant to artists in transit and displacement. It is vital to upholding their rights and freedoms in line with the 1980 Recommendation. By doing so, displaced artists are protected and empowered to sustain their creative work despite challenging circumstances.  

The UNESCO Cairo Office Culture Unit intends to produce a report and a policy brief to assess and address the needs of Palestinian artists in transit and displacement in Egypt, particularly in the field of cultural and creative industries (CCI) building on their wealth of cultural expressions. The scope of work is estimated to be 10 working days.

Long Description

The consultant will be responsible for mapping the needs of Palestinian artists in transit and displacement in Egypt and will be producing following outputs including (but not limited to) below sections in academic English: 

1. A Needs Mapping Report (max. 25 pages), including but not limited to: 

1. An executive summary; 

2. A stakeholder matrix outlining support actors and potential partnerships; 

3. Infographic visuals; 

4. Other sections covering key areas outlined below. 

2. A policy briefing (1000 words), providing policy recommendations and action plans for UNESCO Cairo & Partners, including policy, programmatic, and capacity-building interventions to strengthen development and visibility of Palestinian artists in Egypt. 

Long Description

The report and policy brief will illuminate the current socio-political and economic conditions of displaced Palestinian artists at the cultural and creative industry sector.  It aims to identify opportunities, needs, and challenges in empowering Palestinian displaced artists in Egypt. It shall also help identify capacity-building priorities for Palestinian artists residing in Egypt, ultimately easing the burden on host communities while fostering harmonious coexistence and living together. 

 Specifically, the report and policy brief will provide a comprehensive assessment of the following key areas: 

• Demographic & Contextual Profile 

• Demographic profiles, legal status and access to documentation; 

• Duration and conditions of displacement. 

• Artistic Practice & Identity 

• Type(s) of art or craft practiced; 

• Links to cultural heritage (e.g. Tatreez embroydery, calligraphy, music, etc.); 

• Level of formal/informal training； 

• Access to arts education/ training opportunities. 

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• Socioeconomic Situation 

• Sources of income (if any) from artistic practice; 

• Access to tools, materials, and working space; 

• Participation in any artistic cooperatives or networks; 

• Visibility and marketing channels. 

• Access to Support & Opportunities 

• Awareness and access to local/international initiatives, including intercultural dialogues with Egyptian artists or networks; 

• Experience with exhibitions, residences, or selling artworks; 

• Digital access (e.g., social media, online platforms). 

• Needs Assessment 

• Needs of technical and vocational skill training opportunity, 

• Needs of accessing local/international opportunities, such as residencies, fellowships, etc. 

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• Desired types of support (training, funding, recognition, etc.). 

• Needs of using digital technology for arts generation, visibility and marketing 

• Aspirations & Recommendations 

• Visions for the future; 

• Suggestions for collective empowerment. 

 Through these efforts, the UNESCO Cairo Office aims to enhance its support for Palestinian artists and cultural professionals in displacement, protect cultural rights, promote economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities and integrate cultural participation into broader humanitarian response, recovery and development. 

 This report could align with the mandates of the following UNESCO policies and conventions on culture:  

 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 

• 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education  

 Advanced master’s degree in cultural and creative industry, cultural policy, anthropology, social sciences, or a related field. 

 Work Experience 

 At least 2-year working experience in conducting research and engagement with creative and cultural industries.  

• A strong understanding of the needs of artists in transit or displaced artists and their cultural rights in the context of Arab states, especially in Egypt and Palestine. 

• A strong network of Palestinian artists or organizations in Egypt. 

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English for research publication 

Long Description

Skills & Competencies 

• Strong analytical and research method skills, including making surveys and conducting interviews.   

• Excellent report writing and academic publication skills. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders. 

• Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe. 

• Proficient in using MS Office toolkits, and video conferencing tools like Zoom and MS Teams, etc. 

 Languages 

• Full fluency in Arabic and English  

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should click on "Apply Now", then download and complete the Employment History Form (World File). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:

1) a one-page CV detailing all qualifications; 

2) a writing sample of past analytics, preferred on cultural and creative industry, displaced artists’ needs or cultural policy (max. 2000 words);  

3) a proposal detailing the timeline of deliverables and milestone fees for this assignment.  

 #Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information above, upload the file at the "My Employment History Form/My Documents" section of the online application form.

Only applications with the above requested information will be considered.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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