Consultant (Documentary Heritage Unit) 2
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Communication and Information
Type of contract : Affiliated personnel
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 22-MAR-2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The Communication and Information Sector’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage. (The role of this vacant position does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)
The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme was set up in 1992 in order to preserve documentary heritage, in addition to promoting its identification and accessibility by the public. Its Secretariat is based in the Documentary Heritage Unit (DHE), set up in 2020 to manage the MoW Programme. The Unit is located in the Division for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Transformation in the Communication and Information Sector.
Long Description
Work assignment:
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, the direct supervision of the Head of the Documentary Heritage Unit, and in close cooperation with the Associate Programme Specialist concerned, the Individual Consultant shall support the implementation and monitoring of activities pertaining to documentary heritage. In particular, the consultant shall:
I. Coordinate activities under initiatives funded by the Republic of Korea, including the follow-up to the "Support to the Amadou Hampaté Bâ Foundation for Enhanced Preservation and Accessibility of its Collections," the current edition of the UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize, and other collaborative efforts with the International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH). This includes by:
a) liaising with UNESCO responsible officers and project beneficiaries, following-up on implementation and providing technical backstopping when necessary;
b) reviewing and refining activities and proposing to adjust programmatic and financial plans as needed;
c) collecting information on the implementation of the initiatives and producing reports, analytical and briefing notes, and generating high visibility materials on the undertakings;
d) liaising with the authorities of Republic of Korea, as needed, and ensuring fluid communication on project implementation and results.
II. Contribute to the work on digital heritage, including software source code, in partnership with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and French National Institute for Research in Computer Science (Inria). This includes supporting the organization of the Software Heritage Symposium.
III. Ensure the MoW database is regularly updated for the Secretariat’s mailing list and website, while actively contributing to the updates of the MoW website, particularly in the sections for the MoW International Register and MoW Committees.
IV. Contribute to the preparation of the Unit’s briefings, reports, background papers, strategy documents, communications (news articles and social media content), and event management for the unit as required.
V. Deliverables:
Monthly report on the activities undertaken and progress of the work carried out as part of the contract (I, II, III, IV) .
Long Description
Long Description
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of information, communication, archival science, records management, or related discipline including history, archeology, sociology, heritage studies.
Work Experience
- A minimum of 2 years relevant professional work experience in project implementation in the field of cultural heritage, archives or library science, of which preferably at least 1 year at the international level.
- Experience in compilation and drafting high-quality analytical and project progress reports.
- Experience in developing and implementing communication outreach strategies for the wider dissemination of project outcomes and organizational visibility at international level.
- Experience focused on communication and information in project implementation in the field of cultural heritage, archives or library science, or communication and information sector in other organizations.
Skills/Competencies
- Excellent organizational, coordination and interpersonal skills.
- Very good analytical, drafting and editing skills in English with the ability to produce quality reports, news items etc. for international organizations.
- Excellent skills to disseminate the achievements of the project worldwide.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a team and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment.
- Proven ability to communicate, advocate, and exchange with colleagues, staff and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
- Excellent IT skills. Knowledge of graphic design software (Canva, in-design, etc.).
Languages
- Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Experience with the United Nations System or in an international development cooperation.
- Relevant professional experience in UNESCO’s programmes and/or normative tools in the field of communication and information.
- Experience in documentary heritage preservation projects.
Skills/Competencies
- Familiarity with the Memory of the World Programme, including the 2015 Recommendations Concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
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:
Part 1: Technical Proposal
- an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
- a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment.
- an indication of the approach (methodology, detailed workplan) he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO.
- List of relevant publications, if any. Provide link or URL to view online.
Part 2: Financial Proposal
- A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR (or USD) and expressed on a monthly basis (with maximum of 2800 EUR per month) - the overall cost of the assignment, expressed as an overall lump-sum.
Additional Information:
- The selected candidate will work remotely. No travel will be supported.
- This Consultant Contract is for a period of 9 months.
- Estimated contract dates from April to December 2026.
Application should be submitted in just one file with all the documents required (pdf format) to be uploaded in the application section "Employment History Form". Only applications providing the information requested under the application procedure will be considered.
Evaluation of qualified applicants include a competency-based interview.
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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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.