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Consultant (Culture - Underwater Heritage)

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Paris

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 25/08/2026

 

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

OVERVIEW

The mission of the Unit on the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) is to ensure the effective implementation of the 2001 Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, and its related programmes.

ASSIGNMENTS

In that framework, under the authority of the Director of the Culture and Emergencies Entity and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following tasks:

 

  • Act as a scientific focal point, as an underwater archaeology expert, for the 2001 Convention activities, and contribute to its visibility in the academic community, notably by participating in upcoming key international scientific conferences on underwater cultural heritage, such as the Asia Pacific Conference on Marine and Underwater Cultural Heritage in Bali, Indonesia (October 2026).

 

  • Contribute to the implementation of activities carried out by the Secretariat of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, with a special attention on the South Asia and East Asia regions in liaison with the concerned UNESCO Field Offices.

 

  • Coordinate the implementation of a cooperation mechanism project for the protection of underwater cultural heritage in the Baltic Sea:

Long Description

    1. Organize the formal and informal meetings of a potential multilateral cooperation project in the Baltic Sea and lead consultations among the various interested stakeholders, notably the States Parties;
    2. Contribute to the drafting of a global project for the protection of vulnerable UCH in the Baltic Sea (scientific study, protection, education, capacity building and communication);
    3. Participate in identifying fundraising partners and drafting an estimated budget;
    4. Participate in identifying communication partners and initiatives to promote the project and ensure UNESCO’s visibility;
    5. Develop the educational component, in liaison with the Education Sector, and the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), the UNESCO Baltic Sea Project (BSP).

 

  • Assess and develop activities related to the International underwater archaeological mission on the Skerki Bank and in the Sicily Channel, taking stock of its results and lessons learnt.

Long Description

  • Based on Recommendation 5 of the Meeting of States Parties (2025), coordinate the efforts of the Secretariat to better integrate marine and underwater cultural heritage into climate action and resilience strategies:
    1. Foster awareness, synergies among Culture Conventions, interdisciplinary dialogue, and concrete pilot projects;
    2. Assess the state of research, identifying the interesting institutions, experts and heritage sites related to the protection of underwater and coastal heritage facing the threats of climate change;
    3. Support drafting of documents, strategies, reports and blue papers on underwater cultural heritage and climate change;
    4. Support the implementation of the four-strand approach of the White Paper “Underwater cultural heritage, climate change: adaptation and mitigation” and potential roadmap towards the protection of marine and underwater cultural heritage;
    5. Develop and implement tangible projects on climate change impacts on underwater and coastal heritage;
    6. Support the implementation and organisation of workshops, meetings and conferences on this topic;
    7. Participate in identifying fundraising partners;
    8. Promote marine and underwater cultural heritage into ocean framework and ocean policy, notably within the UN Oceans working group, as well as upcoming key international fora such as Asia Pacific Ocean Week (October 2026), COP31 (November 2026), etc.

Long Description

  • Support the Secretariat for the organization of 18th STAB meeting and 11th MSP meeting in 2027.

 

  • Support the Secretariat for the organization and coordination of the events related to the 25th anniversary of the Convention as well as events and activities related to the celebrations of the International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage (21 August).

CONTRACT DURATION

TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

Bottom of Form

Monthly progress reports on the implementation of the tasks listed above.

 

Work Location – Home based

 

Expected duration – 11 months

Long Description

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

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

 

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in disciplines in the field of culture

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience acquired in the field of culture of which five (5) in cultural policies at the international level.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Good knowledge of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and UN System.
  • Good knowledge of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments and programmes in the field of culture, including of the 2001 Convention.
  • Good knowledge and proven expertise in coordination of global consultations and multi-stakeholder management.
  • Good knowledge and proven expertise in underwater archaeology and the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
  • Good knowledge and proven expertise in coordination of multilateral cooperation projects.
  • Good knowledge and proven expertise in event coordination and awareness raising material.
  • Strong ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and formulate research documents.

Long Description

  • Strong ability to collect and handle geographic information system (GIS) data and heritage inventories.
  •  Ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of partners and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
  • Ability to work both independently and in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
  • Strong IT skills.

 

LANGUAGES

  • Excellent knowledge of both English and French (speaking, reading and writing) and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Professional experience in the United Nations system.
  • Proven experience in organising global multi-stakeholder consultations.
  • Expert knowledge of UNESCO Culture Programmes.
  • Proven experience in the study, protection, conservation and awareness-raising of underwater cultural heritage.

 

LANGUAGES 

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

APPLICATION 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.

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

A written proposal comprising:

  • An up-to-date CV;
  • A brief technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference
  • A competitive fee for the assignment quoted in EUR (or USD) and expressed on a monthly basis.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice.

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.

 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT 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 personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
  • UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
  • 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.
  • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.

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