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Digitization Project Coordinator

OVERVIEW

Position Number: DBS/PA 006

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector: Bureau for Digital Business Solutions (DBS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Documentation and Library

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 2 years

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 30/09/2026

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

Duration of contract: 2 years with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Digitization Project Coordinator (DPC) plans, coordinates, and monitors the day-to-day project activities of the five-year UNESCO Archives digitization project funded by the Sharjah Book Authority, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Global Histories, Shared Memories: Advancing Universal Access through Digitized UNESCO Archives (2025-2030). The project was initiated in October 2025. It is managed by the UNESCO Archives within the office of Digital Business Solutions (DBS). The project will increase access to and visibility of UNESCO's institutional archives, by rehousing, digitizing, and publishing a selection of the UNESCO archival collections included within the scope of the project.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the supervision of the Chief Archivist (Project Manager), in close coordination with both the reference archivist and the audiovisual archivist (Collection Leads) who oversee the project activities and technical teams for the print and audiovisual collections , the Digitization Project Coordinator handles day-to-day operations of the digitization project. Working closely with DBS management and the project team, as well as with internal and external partners, the DPC plays a key role in the smooth functioning of the project and in the successful delivery and realization of project objectives, as outlined in the Project Document and Project Agreement. The DPC helps to ensure that the project is executed within budget and within the expected timeframe, adhering to the defined project standards, requirements, and deliverables.

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The main duties and responsibilities of the Digitization Project Coordinator include the following:

General budget and timeline management, in close consultation with management, Collection Leads, Administrative Officers (AOs), and the External Relations Sector (PAX). Suports the administration of the project, with Administrative Officers, within UNESCO’s institutional reporting tools.
Ensures appropriate project documentation: supports the preparation and presentation of project reports, donor reports, Steering Committee, and DBS Management, and updates project tracking and tools.
Day-to-day planning and monitoring of objectives, task planning, scheduling, and budget tracking, working closely with management and the project team, as well as internal and external partners, to ensure the smooth progress of deliverables; adheres to, or adjusts as necessary, deadlines, budgets, and planning, and ensures proper communication and approval wherever appropriate/required.
Coordinates digitization operations with the project team, develops technical specifications for digitized documents in close collaboration with and validated by Collection Leads and UNESCO Archives staff, adhering to UNESCO policies and guidelines; liaises with external digitization service providers; and monitors the quality of deliverables and requirements. Coordinates, in collaboration with Collection Leads, the ingestion of digitized files into the digital preservation system and UNESCO databases.
Supports logistical management of the UNESCO digitization lab at UNESCO headquarters.
Supports communications and outreach activities, including event coordination, organization and provision of tours and visits, creation of editorial content and publication and promotion of content on the web and social media, creation of virtual exhibitions, publications, and improvement of research tools as needed, etc.
Supports partnership and resource mobilization activities and initiatives.
Manages the project evaluation and reporting activities throughout the project.

Long Description

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)
Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the relevant field: Archival Studies, Records Management, Information Management, Library Studies.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum two years of professional experience, of which preferably one year acquired at international level, coordinating digitization project(s) or programme(s) and working in an institutional archive or library.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Project coordination skills, including ability to plan and coordinate multi-year projects, monitor budgets and timelines, and oversee day-to-day operations of a large-scale digitization project.
Knowledge of and proven ability to implement digitization standards and practices applied to archival/patrimonial digitization.
Communication skills, including excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to write professional-quality reports, project documents, and other official documents (annual reports, mid-term or final reports, etc.).
Interpersonal and team skills, including ability to establish good working relationships and collaborate with colleagues in various roles across the organization. Ability to take direction, work as part of a team, and work independently.
Understanding of principles of archival management, access, and preservation.
Creativity and problem-solving skills, including ability to adapt and find solutions to unforeseen issues, and ability to contribute ideas in all areas of project planning.
Reliability and flexibility, including ability to provide quality and timely work.
Result-based management and result-based budgeting to produce the expected deliverables.
Familiarity with archival databases, cataloguing, ingestion of metadata, and digital files.
Technological awareness and IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Teams, Word, Excel etc.) and basic ability to work with or learn AI-powered tools.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of English or French and good working knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Training, and/or recognized certification in Project Management would be an asset.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Experience supporting communication initiatives such as events, exhibitions, publications, and social and web outreach initiatives would be an asset.

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.

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