Consultant (Underwater Heritage - Culture)
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Culture
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 13-AUG-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background
The mission of the Unit on the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) is to ensure the wide ratification and effective implementation of the 2001 Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, and its related programmes and projects.
Work assignment
In that framework, under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Director of the Culture and Emergencies Entity and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit (CLT/CEM/UCH), the incumbent shall be responsible for the following tasks:
A. Act as a scientific focal point, as an underwater archaeology expert, for the 2001 Convention activities, and contribute to its visibility.
B. Contribute to the implementation of activities carried out by the Secretariat of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
C. Coordinate the implementation of a cooperation mechanism project for the protection of underwater cultural heritage in the Baltic Sea:
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- 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;
- 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);
- Participate in identifying fundraising partners and drafting an estimated budget;
- Participate in identifying communication partners and initiatives to promote the project and ensure UNESCO’s visibility.
D. 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.
E. Coordinate the efforts of the Secretariat to better integrate underwater cultural heritage into climate action and resilience strategies:
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- Foster awareness, synergies among Culture Conventions, interdisciplinary dialogue, and concrete pilot projects;
- 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;
- Support drafting of documents, reports and blue papers on underwater cultural heritage and climate change;
- 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 underwater cultural heritage;
- Develop and implement tangible projects on climate change impacts on underwater and coastal heritage;
- Support the implementation and organisation of workshops, meetings and conferences on this topic.
F. Support the Secretariat for the organization of 17th STAB meeting in 2026.
TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES
Monthly progress reports on the implementation of the tasks listed above.
Work Location – Home based
Expected duration – 11 months
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in disciplines in the field of culture
Work Experience
- A minimum of nine (9) years of professional experience acquired in the field of culture, cultural policies, of which four (4) years acquired 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.
- 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
Work experience
- Professional experience in the United Nations system.
- Proven experience in organising global multi-stakeholder consultations.
- Proven experience in the study, protection, conservation and awareness raising of underwater cultural heritage.
Skills and Competencies
- Expert knowledge of UNESCO Culture Programmes.
Languages
- English and French and knowledge of another UN official language, will be an asset.
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.
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, 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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