Consultant for Cataloguing of the IBE Audiovisual Collection

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on education. Established in 1925, UNESCO aims to build peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The IBE operates globally, with a mission to enhance education systems and promote educational policies that are inclusive and equitable. The organization employs a diverse workforce and engages with various stakeholders across multiple countries to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for Cataloguing of the IBE Audiovisual Collection involves working with a significant collection of audiovisual materials that document educational practices and technologies from the 1970s to the 1990s. The consultant will be responsible for assessing, arranging, describing, cataloguing, and rehousing the collection, which includes various media formats such as film reels, slides, and digital recordings. The role requires a thorough understanding of archival standards and practices, as well as the ability to produce a searchable archival catalogue that meets the needs of the IBE Documentation Centre. The consultant will also identify preservation needs and priorities for future digitization and access, ensuring that the historical value of the collection is maintained and enhanced.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key assignments, including:

• Conducting a comprehensive survey and historical research to establish the provenance and context of the collection.
• Reviewing existing inventories and related archives to develop a methodology for arrangement and description.
• Creating a structured catalogue in Excel that adheres to archival standards, documenting essential details such as reference codes, titles, and physical conditions.
• Assessing the preservation condition of various media formats and recommending appropriate conservation measures.
• Rehousing and labeling the collection in collaboration with the Documentation Centre, ensuring proper handling and storage.
• Preparing a final report that summarizes the work completed, highlights the collection's historical significance, and outlines recommendations for future actions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in archival studies, history, information science, or a related field. They should have demonstrated experience in archival arrangement and cataloguing, particularly with audiovisual collections. Familiarity with historical research and the preparation of structured finding aids is essential. Additionally, candidates should have access to specialist expertise in audiovisual conservation and preventive preservation, as well as the ability to produce database-ready metadata in accordance with established archival description standards.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field such as archival studies, history, or information science. Equivalent professional expertise may also be considered, particularly if it demonstrates a strong understanding of archival practices and audiovisual materials.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in archival arrangement and cataloguing, with a focus on audiovisual collections. Relevant work experience should include historical research and the ability to prepare structured finding aids. The consultant should also demonstrate a capacity for careful, practical work on historical collections, ensuring that all materials are handled with the utmost care and respect for their integrity.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is required, with excellent oral and written communication skills in both languages. This bilingual proficiency is essential for cataloguing materials and collaborating with the IBE Documentation Centre, as well as for preparing metadata that is suitable for integration into the IBE TIND database.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy position is up to 4 months, with the expectation of substantial on-site work at the IBE Documentation Centre in Geneva. The consultant will be required to follow agreed handling procedures to protect the physical integrity of the materials. It is important to note that digitization and specialist conservation treatment are not included in the current scope of work. The consultant will need to identify and cost archival supplies and examination equipment separately in their proposal, distinguishing these costs from professional fees. The application process requires candidates to submit an online application, including a CV, a brief proposal outlining their approach to the assignment, and a financial proposal.