Consultant in Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage

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. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization focuses on fostering cultural diversity, promoting education for all, and protecting cultural heritage, particularly in regions vulnerable to natural disasters.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant in Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage at UNESCO Santiago is designed to provide technical and strategic advice to enhance the management of disaster risks affecting cultural heritage in Chile. The consultant will work closely with the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago to strengthen the capacities for information management, coordination, monitoring, formulation, and cooperation in disaster risk management. This role is crucial in ensuring that the lessons learned from past initiatives are integrated into a coherent and sustainable risk management agenda. The consultant will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including public institutions, private sectors, universities, and community organizations, to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. The overarching goal is to develop pilot experiences and tools that can be adapted and scaled to improve resilience in cultural heritage sites, historical centers, and cultural institutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of functions, including:

• Systematization and strategic analysis of UNESCO Santiago's agenda, collecting and organizing key initiatives and projects related to disaster risk management and cultural heritage.
• Communication and dissemination of results, preparing institutional documents that clearly present UNESCO Santiago's contributions to disaster risk management in Chile.
• Information management, identifying and systematizing existing data sources and mechanisms related to cultural heritage risk management.
• Supporting coordination and governance efforts, including technical assistance to the Disaster Risk Reduction Table for Cultural Heritage and mapping relevant actors and coordination mechanisms.
• Designing and accompanying pilot experiences in risk management, defining criteria for context selection and developing project proposals.
• Strengthening capacities and facilitating knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
• Formulating conceptual notes and identifying potential areas for national and international cooperation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fields related to disaster risk management, cultural heritage, architecture, conservation, territorial planning, geography, public policy, engineering, or other relevant technical disciplines. A minimum of five years of proven professional experience specifically in disaster risk management applied to the cultural sector is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in analyzing, designing, implementing, or evaluating risk management plans and strategies, as well as in inter-institutional coordination and working with multiple stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A university degree in areas related to disaster risk management, cultural heritage, architecture, conservation, territorial planning, geography, public policy, engineering, or other directly related technical disciplines is required. A postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as disaster risk management, cultural heritage, resilience, or climate change is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least five years of specific professional experience in disaster risk management applied to the cultural sector or cultural heritage. This includes demonstrated experience in analyzing threats, vulnerabilities, and capacities, as well as in emergency preparedness, risk reduction, response, or recovery of cultural heritage. Experience in inter-institutional coordination and collaboration with public institutions, technical teams, and heritage managers is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, with excellent communication and technical writing skills. Proficiency in English is desirable for reviewing literature and technical documents.

Additional Notes:
The contract is for a duration of five months, with a mixed work modality that includes both remote work and regular on-site presence in Santiago, Chile. The consultant must reside in Chile throughout the consultancy period, with preference given to candidates living in the Metropolitan Region. Regular coordination with UNESCO Santiago and participation in meetings and activities with national institutions are required. Candidates must demonstrate availability for potential missions and technical activities in other regions of the country. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Culture Program Specialist and will not represent UNESCO institutionally to third parties.