Associate Project Officer (Culture)
OVERVIEW
Post Number : 5IQCLT0002PA
Grade : P-2
Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)
Duty Station: Erbil
Job Family: Culture
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 06-JAN-2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
In line with UNESCO’s vision which is founded on culture as a source of identity and a tool in reinforcing social cohesion, UNESCO has been supporting cultural heritage conservation and management at several significant sites in Kurdistan and in Iraq, with the overall goal of promoting respect for cultural diversity and heritage and its recognition as a factor of socio-economic development.
In 2007 a major intervention was launched for the first phase of the Erbil Citadel Revitalization Project with funding from the Kurdistan Regional Government. The project was executed in cooperation with the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization (HCECR) with the objective of implementing a series of conservation and management measures in accordance with best practices while enhancing national capacities, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the citadel and its unique cultural assets.
Phase II of the project was launched in 2010 and was accompanied by a management plan for the buffer zone of the Citadel aimed at establishing clear guidelines and regulations for managing the historic city centre of Erbil.
As a follow up on their collaboration with the HCECR, UNESCO and KAR are now proposing a long- term public-private partnership to carry out interventions at the Citadel of Erbil that will extend efforts to preserve and revitalize this unique site inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014, and articulated around four Outputs:
Output 1: Conservation and Rehabilitation.
Output 2: Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) - Economic Development and Job Creation.
Output 3: Capacity Building and Training.
Output 4: Promotion, Visibility and Public Engagement.
Long Description
Within the framework of the REVIVING THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE OF ERBIL CITADEL (hereafter the Project), and under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office in Iraq and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the incumbent shall:
- Provide the technical leadership and oversight in the design of interventions in historic buildings the World Heritage Site of Erbil Citadel.
- Establish, manage, and monitor contracts and activities with multiple consultants/ contractors engaged in such interventions.
- Manage the technical team deployed in Erbil Citadel by UNESCO for the Project.
Long Description
The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but will not be limited to the following:
- Developing and reviewing comprehensive conservation plans, including architectural drawings, renderings, elevations, sections, site documentation, and visual records that inform design decisions and guide conservation, stabilization, and rehabilitation interventions.
- Overseeing all conservation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities related to the safeguarding of cultural heritage within the Erbil Citadel, in close coordination with the UNESCO Culture Team in Iraq and in liaison with the relevant services at Headquarters, including the World Heritage Centre and the secretariats of the applicable UNESCO Conventions.
- Planning, coordinating, and monitoring all activities associated with the implementation of the project’s rehabilitation component to ensure alignment with UNESCO’s standards, guidelines, and project objectives.
- Supervising and guiding a multidisciplinary team of architects and engineers responsible for the design and implementation of UNESCO’s interventions in historic structures and cultural heritage properties within the Erbil Citadel.
- Providing oversight of the design team tasked with preparing the full suite of technical documentation required for the tendering and execution of conservation, rehabilitation, and, where relevant, construction works.
- Managing and monitoring contracts between UNESCO and external contractors during the implementation phase, including those related to rubble removal, topographic surveys, geotechnical investigations, and other specialized services. This includes ensuring compliance with contractual terms, monitoring work progress and quality, reviewing and approving submittals, issuing instructions, responding to Requests for Information, certifying payments, and ensuring timely and accurate decision-making and documentation by both contractors and UNESCO’s supervision team.
- Preparing tender documentation for works contracts (Invitations to Bid – ITB), supporting UNESCO on technical matters throughout the procurement process, providing clarifications to bidders, and participating in the technical evaluation of tenders.
- Drafting Terms of Reference (TORs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as required, for the selection of consultants and service providers, as well as contributing to the preparation of technical reports and donor submissions.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in in architecture, civil engineering, conservation, or related fields.
Work Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of in architecture, conservation architecture, or structural engineering, of which preferably at least one (1) year acquired at the international level.
- Proven experience working on conservation/restoration/rehabilitation of historical buildings.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge of English language (both written and spoken).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Familiarity with the work and general functioning of the United Nations system or an international organization.
- Experience working in a multicultural environment, preferably in Arab countries.
- Proven experience in Iraq or in the MENA region.
- Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Languages
- Knowledge of the other UNESCO official languages (Arabic, French, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 71 546 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
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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