REGIONAL CULTURAL ADVISOR

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences and Culture in Europe, in Venice, the incumbent ensures the design, development, implementation and coordination of activities carried out under Major Programme IV - Culture in the countries covered by the Office. S/he is also responsible for building capacity, developing partnerships, mobilizing resource and ensuring UNESCO's contribution to the 'Delivering as One' exercise. S/he supervises staff of the Culture Unit of the Office. In particular, the incumbent will\:

• Ensure the delivery of the Culture Programme in the countries covered by the Office in line with the Culture Sector’s strategies and priorities, including through capacity-building, technical assistance and networking, etc.

• Advise governmental entities and other stakeholders on policy formulation, programme and project development and best practices in the Culture Sector's fields of competence and advocacy for the linkages between culture and development, contributing to the development of national, regional and international policies and strategies.

• Build, maintain and enhance working relations with the concerned national/local authorities, cultural institutions and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

• Ensure fundraising by designing new projects/programmes, mobilizing resources and building partnerships, including with UN Agencies, bilateral donors, civil society organizations and the private sector.

• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of a communication strategy and to the enhancing of information and knowledge management and raising awareness about UNESCO programmes and projects.

• Develop actions, programmes and activities in the framework of the UN Reform and ‘Delivering as One’, such as Common Country Assessments/United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (CCA/UNDAF), etc. 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of culture or a related area. 

Work Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in the field of culture, of which at least 3 years acquired at international level particularly in a multicultural environment.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing culture-related policies, programmes and projects.

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and resource mobilization.

• Proven experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks and partnerships.

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent knowledge of UNESCO’s work in the field of Culture.

• Familiarity with UNESCO's standard-setting instruments and programmes in the field of culture.

• Good knowledge and understanding of the functioning of the United Nations.

• Proven ability to identify emerging trends and needs and ability to plan strategically and to translate strategy into priorities and action.

• Demonstrated ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations and build/maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).

• Ability to build, maintain and enhance working relations with national/local authorities, cultural institutions and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

• Ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.

• Discretion and maturity of judgement.

• Very good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets etc.).

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language. 

Education

• Relevant training in the field of culture.

Skills/Competencies 

• Familiarity with the political and cultural context of the Region.

Languages

• Good knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

• Knowledge of one or more language/s of the region covered by the Regional Bureau.