Project Officer (Culture)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: CLT/PA 126

Grade: P-3

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): 30/09/2026

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

The Asia and the Pacific Unit (CLT/WHC/APA) is one of the five regional Units of the World Heritage Centre, ensuring the day-to-day management and effective implementation of the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 46 States Parties of the Asia and the Pacific region, with 307 cultural and natural heritage properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.

The APA Unit is working closely with the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee (ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN) and with relevant sectors at UNESCO and Field Offices in the implementation of the 1972 Convention to ensure better conservation and management of cultural and natural World Heritage properties. The APA Unit is also responsible for the implementation of international assistance projects, extra-budgetary operational projects at World Heritage properties, organizing capacity-building and training activities and carrying out monitoring and reporting on the state of conservation of World Heritage.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Director of the World Heritage Centre and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Asia and the Pacific Unit, the Project Officer shall contribute to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Asia and the Pacific region, with a particular focus on capacity-building, partnerships and cooperation activities.

In particular, the incumbent shall:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, monitoring of the UNESCO/China Funds-in-Trust (CFIT) project “Strengthening Capacity for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa and Asia-Pacific Regions” in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the Small Island Developing States (SIDS),  and the project “Sustainable Islands: Building Heritage Disaster and Climate Resilience of Small Islands Developing States in the Pacific region”, in collaboration with the relevant UNESCO entities and unit, Field Offices, national authorities, Advisory Bodies, Category 2 Centres under the auspices of UNESCO, academic institutions and other project partners:

1. Coordinate the consultations with national authorities and partners to develop the detailed workplans, manage the planning of the regional and national capacity-building activities, provide technical support within the framework of the project to the elaboration/revision of the Tentative List, preparation of Preliminary Assessment requests, as well as development of practical guidelines and knowledge products;
2. Manage project resources and budget allocated, including the preparation and monitoring of contracts, terms of reference, partnership agreements and work plans;
3. Ensure the monitoring and reporting of the implementation of the project, coordinate the preparation of technical and financial reports, briefing notes, communication materials, and other documentation related to the project.

Long Description

• Develop and maintain partnerships with relevant institutions and organizations, and facilitate cooperation and knowledge exchange among Asia-Pacific countries involved in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
• Coordinate the implementation of the decisions and resolutions adopted by the World Heritage Committee and General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, as well as the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific and other relevant UNESCO strategies and programmes.
• Contribute to the development of project portfolio of the Asia-Pacific Unit and to resource mobilization efforts, including the identification of capacity-building needs, funding opportunities, preparation of project proposals and development of strategic partnerships in support of the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the region. 

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 degree or equivalent) in cultural heritage management and conservation, archaeology, architecture, communications, international relations, or other related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of cultural and/or natural heritage, international cooperation, project management or related fields, of which preferably at least two (2) years acquired at the international level;
• Experience in project management;
• Experience in heritage conservation and management;
• Experience in organizing and implementing capacity-building activities, workshops, training programmes, and international cooperation initiatives.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex projects and activities involving multiple partners and stakeholders;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment and to build partnerships with governmental institutions, international organizations, academic institutions and civil society organizations;
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to take initiative and manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Excellent drafting skills and demonstrated ability to prepare reports, briefing notes, project documents and other technical and administrative documentation;
• Excellent communication, coordination and interpersonal skills;
• Good IT skills.

LANGUAGES

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience with the UN System or in international development cooperation.
• Experience with the implementation of the World Heritage Convention or other culture-related normative instruments;
• Experience in partnership development and resource mobilization;
• Experience working with the Asia and the Pacific region, particularly in the context of heritage conservation and management, capacity-building, international cooperation or sustainable development;
• Experience in working with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and/or developing countries.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent knowledge of the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and its Operational Guidelines and implementation mechanisms.
• Good knowledge of UNESCO Culture Conventions and its programmes;
• Knowledge of results-based management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another/other official language(s) of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, 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 110 855 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.