Senior Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is committed to fostering cultural diversity and promoting the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly in regions affected by conflict and crisis. UNESCO operates various programs and initiatives to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, support education for sustainable development, and promote freedom of expression and access to information.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant position is focused on the Yazidi community in Iraq, which has faced significant challenges due to the Islamic State's occupation. The consultant will play a crucial role in the project aimed at inventorying and safeguarding Yazidi intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This involves strengthening local capacities for community-based inventorying and documentation through systematic training, participatory workshops, and mentoring. The consultant will oversee the documentation of non-religious aspects of Yazidi ICH, aiming to create a searchable online database accessible to the community, particularly the youth. The project seeks to enhance cultural identity, social cohesion, and the transmission of heritage knowledge to younger generations, ultimately resulting in a comprehensive digital database and a publication showcasing documented Yazidi cultural expressions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Consultant will be responsible for providing technical leadership and expert guidance throughout the project. Key duties include:

• Building the capacity of local community members in ICH inventory through specialized workshops.
• Overseeing community-based inventory processes to ensure the quality and validation of collected data.
• Supporting the preparation and dissemination of a comprehensive inventory of Yazidi intangible cultural heritage.
• Participating in project launch meetings and submitting detailed agendas and materials for workshops.
• Delivering training on community-led ICH inventory and supervising the implementation of ICH inventory processes.
• Preparing and delivering validation workshops for the Yazidi ICH inventory.
• Submitting reports on training results and draft ICH inventory reports.
• Selecting Yazidi ICH elements for publication in an online catalogue and preparing final narrative reports describing activities and outcomes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in fields such as Anthropology, Cultural Heritage Studies, Ethnology, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, Archaeology, or a related discipline. Additionally, a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), cultural heritage management, or community-based cultural documentation is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate experience in implementing projects related to the safeguarding, documentation, and inventorying of ICH, with at least two references to support their expertise. Proven knowledge of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and community-based inventorying methodologies is essential, along with extensive experience in designing and delivering capacity-building programs for heritage professionals and community stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in relevant fields such as Anthropology, Cultural Heritage Studies, Ethnology, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, Archaeology, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of intangible cultural heritage and the methodologies required for effective documentation and safeguarding.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), cultural heritage management, or community-based cultural documentation. Candidates must have a proven track record of implementing projects related to the safeguarding, documentation, and inventorying of ICH, with at least two references to validate their experience. Familiarity with Yazidi cultural heritage and the Iraqi context, as well as previous experience working in Iraq, the Middle East, or post-conflict environments, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while working knowledge of Arabic is also required. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with local communities and stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is structured as two contracts totaling 18 months: the first contract is for 11 months, followed by a one-month break, and the second contract is for 7 months. The position is part-time and home-based, with three missions to Iraq required during the contract period. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its personnel appointments. The organization applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment and encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply. All applications will be treated with confidentiality, and UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.