Associate Project Officer (Culture)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: CLT/PA 127

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector: Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Culture

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 27/10/2026

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

The Africa Unit is part of the World Heritage Centre, which is under UNESCO’s Culture Sector. The Unit assists African States Parties to the 1972 Convention in identifying, protecting, and preserving cultural and natural heritage properties. Specifically, the Africa Unit coordinates and supports the management and conservation of World Heritage sites across the African continent.

The Unit facilitates communication and collaboration among African States Parties, supports site identification through the preparation of Tentative Lists and nomination processes, and provides technical assistance and capacity-building to ensure the safeguarding of Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage. It works in collaboration with the UNESCO regional offices in Africa, the Category 2 Centre African World Heritage Fund, the Advisory Bodies, African universities and other academic heritage institutions on the continent.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Director of World Heritage (DIR/WH), and the direct supervision of the Head of the Africa Unit of the World Heritage Centre (WHC/AFR), the incumbent shall exercise the functions of Associate Project Officer and be responsible for planning, coordinating, developing and implementing three (3) projects aimed at strengthening the capacities of African States Parties to identify, prepare and advance World Heritage nominations and to reinforce the conservation and management of heritage sites, and one (1) project aimed at advancing the recognition and preservation of Modern Heritage in Africa by strengthening the capacities of African States Parties. 

Long Description

More specifically, the incumbent will be required to:

• Contribute to the implementation of projects supporting African States Parties in strengthening their institutional and technical capacities for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, including three (3) projects funded by Oman, Japan and India. This includes supporting project planning, coordination, monitoring, reporting, budget follow-up and liaison with national authorities, experts, donors, UNESCO partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assist with the organisation and delivery of capacity reinforcement activities, including workshops, training sessions, expert missions and knowledge-sharing initiatives to strengthen the skills of national practitioners, heritage professionals, institutions and communities, with particular attention to women, youth and local stakeholders involved in heritage identification, conservation and management.
• Assist with supporting African States Parties and heritage stakeholders in strengthening their capacities to engage in World Heritage processes, including the preparation and revision of Tentative Lists, Preliminary Assessments, nomination-related processes and management frameworks, while ensuring that activities respond to national priorities and promote sustainable heritage practices.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Modern Heritage by supporting the development of conceptual frameworks and operational tools.
• Undertake administrative, financial and operational follow-up of project activities, including the preparation of contracts, monitoring tools, technical and financial reports, communication materials and visibility activities, while contributing to resource mobilization efforts and the overall strategy to strengthen the representation and conservation of African heritage on the World Heritage List.
• Support and provide advice to States Parties on the related projects and assist in the implementation of related International Assistance requests.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in the field of culture, heritage conservation and management, humanities, international relations, political science or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of conservation of natural and cultural heritage and related field, of which preferably at least one (1) year acquired at the international level.
• Experience in project management.
• Relevant experience in heritage conservation.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan; ability to meet tight deadlines as well as flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed procedures.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Good IT skills.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and good knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Professional experience in the United Nations System or other international development organization(s).

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Good knowledge of the World Heritage Convention.
• Knowledge of UNESCO's mandate in the field of culture, including its conventions and programmes.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another/other official language(s) of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

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 87 095 USD

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.