Associate Project Officer - Culture

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 workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries and territories, focusing on areas such as education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture, and communication/information. The organization aims to foster cultural diversity and promote the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide, particularly through initiatives like the World Heritage Convention.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer will be a key player in the Africa Unit of the World Heritage Centre, which is part of UNESCO’s Culture Sector. This position involves planning, coordinating, developing, and implementing projects that aim to enhance the capacities of African States Parties in identifying, preparing, and advancing World Heritage nominations. The role also focuses on reinforcing the conservation and management of heritage sites, as well as advancing the recognition and preservation of Modern Heritage in Africa. The incumbent will work closely with various stakeholders, including national authorities, experts, and donors, to ensure that the projects align with national priorities and promote sustainable heritage practices. The position requires a proactive approach to project management, including monitoring and reporting on project activities, and facilitating capacity-building initiatives such as workshops and training sessions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Project Officer include:

• Contributing to the implementation of projects that support African States Parties in enhancing their institutional and technical capacities for the World Heritage Convention.
• Supporting project planning, coordination, monitoring, reporting, and budget follow-up.
• Liaising with national authorities, experts, donors, and UNESCO partners.
• Assisting in organizing and delivering capacity reinforcement activities, including workshops and training sessions.
• Supporting stakeholders in engaging with World Heritage processes, including the preparation of Tentative Lists and nomination-related processes.
• Contributing to the implementation of Modern Heritage initiatives by developing conceptual frameworks and operational tools.
• Undertaking administrative, financial, and operational follow-up of project activities, including preparing contracts and technical reports.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts and contributing to the overall strategy for African heritage representation on the World Heritage List.
• Providing advice to States Parties on related projects and assisting in the implementation of International Assistance requests.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as culture, heritage conservation and management, humanities, international relations, or political science. Additionally, candidates should have strong planning and organizational skills, the ability to establish priorities, and the capacity to meet tight deadlines. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential, along with the ability to work effectively in a team and maintain relationships with diverse individuals. Good IT skills are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field. This could include disciplines such as culture, heritage conservation and management, humanities, international relations, or political science. The emphasis is on having a strong theoretical foundation and practical understanding of cultural heritage and its management.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the field of conservation of natural and cultural heritage. At least one year of this experience should ideally be acquired at the international level. Experience in project management and relevant heritage conservation experience is also necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role effectively.

Languages:
The position requires excellent knowledge of English or French, both written and spoken, with a good knowledge of the other language being advantageous. Additionally, knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and can enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a project appointment with a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is open to both internal and external candidates. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization offers a competitive salary, which starts at approximately 87,095 USD annually, along with benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. Candidates must complete an online application by the specified deadline, and the selection process may include interviews and assessments.