PROGRAMME ASSISTANT (CULTURE)

The mission of the Living Heritage Entity, located in the Culture Sector of UNESCO, is to ensure the effective implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, the general supervision of the Chief of the Living Heritage Entity and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist leading the Safeguarding Implementation and Monitoring Team, the incumbent, as a member of the Secretariat of the 2003 Convention, will provide administrative and programme support in the implementation and monitoring of the International Assistance mechanism under the Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in particular\:

• Receive International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties, undertake completeness checks as per given checklist and ensure their registration on the knowledge management system and their preparation for technical assessment by the Secretariat, evaluation by the Evaluation Body or for examination by the Committee or its Bureau.

• Respond to enquiries about International Assistance requests, processes, procedures, projects, and route information, as appropriate; refer specialized queries to programme specialists, providing the necessary background information and documentation. Produce and complete in final form correspondence in accordance to the standards and procedures established by UNESCO, such as letters to States Parties and other stakeholders. Keep team members, States Parties and other stakeholders informed about processes and procedures related to the International Assistance requests and approved projects.

• Support the administrative implementation of individual International Assistance projects\: inform team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure timely implementation of administrative actions, finalize contracts and their amendments on the basis of drafts prepared by the staff members of the Team; monitor the implementation status of each project, alerting team members of delays, omissions or discrepancies and, following discussion, undertake corrective or other necessary actions; prepare payment requests against contracts; monitor deadlines for administrative services, etc.

• Contribute to the smooth administration of International Assistance in compliance with UNESCO rules and regulations, contributing to effective and timely implementation of the International Assistance mechanism; maintain the information concerning International Assistance requests and projects, ensuring easy retrieval of information, documentation and data. Ensure that information is made available to the public as necessary.

Education

Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational education

Work Experience

• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in administrative/programme assistance

• Experience in similar functions within the UN system or an international organization/institution

Skills and competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Excellent drafting skills in English or French

• Good time management skills

• Capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with partners/institutions in a multicultural environment

• Ability to work under pressure, to deal with complex situations and flexibility to adjust work schedules

• Knowledge of UNESCO rules, administrative procedures and standard practices

• Sense of diplomacy, discretion and professional integrity

• Excellent IT skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Languages

Excellent knowledge of either English or French (both written and oral) and good knowledge of the other language