State Coordinator for West Bengal

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: New Delhi

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 3 (Equivalent to G-7)

Duration of contract : 1 Year (Renewable)

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-12-2022

Note: This post is being readvertised.

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Since 2013, UNESCO with the West Bengal Government’s Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles (MSME&T), West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board has been collaboratively working to strengthen the livelihood opportunities of artisan communities and folk artists of rural West Bengal. The current project which is the phase 2 (RCCH II 2022-2024 ) of the previous Rural Crafts and Cultural Hub (RCCH), aims at strategically strengthening the efforts of project beneficiaries towards market led capacity building, skills up-gradation and transmission through innovative inclusive approach in order to create wider public interest in cultural products related to  intangible cultural heritage (ICH), focused market linkages for the artisans and folk artists, digital education and promotion, and convergences with relevant Government/non-governmental development schemes and programs for end to end socio-economic upliftment of the targeted creative practitioner communities.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO New Delhi Office and the supervision of Programme Specialist of Culture Sector, and more specifically under the relevant Project officer, UNESCO New Delhi, the incumbent will:

 

• Coordinate the implementation of the Rural Craft Cultural Hubs phase II project in West Bengal, in close co-operation with the implementing agencies of the aforementioned project, including administrative arrangements involved in the implementation of the above-mentioned project (please find the project brief below)
• Ensure that the key objectives of the project and mandate of UNESCO is achieved within the project timeline.
• Assist with regular monitoring of the progress of program activities.
• Conduct field visits to ICH Hubs, attend meetings of District Task Force and visit to all concerned office of Stakeholders of the project, as per the requirement shared by UNESCO.
• Act as the primary point of contact from UNESCO for all stakeholders and communicate project status, ongoing evaluation of project activity and reporting on project progress to the UNESCO and West Bengal MSME&T, as and when required.

• Ensure that the logo of UNESCO is used as per the protocol of the organization for both online and offline branding & visibility. Provide required assistance to key officials, resource people or experts from UNESCO, during their field visit and meetings with stakeholders in the State. The protocol guidelines will be provided upon establishment of contract.
• Assist the Implementing agencies in planning and finalizing of project activities, key deliverables, budget allocation of RCCH II project.
• Assist in tracking the progress and quality of work performed by implementing agencies, as per agreed timeline. 

• Maintain smooth relationship with all stakeholders and facilitate conflict management among the partners or key stakeholders, if it arises, in the due course of project implementation.
• Conduct periodic meetings with concerned officials of West Bengal’s MSME&T and WBKVIB for project update and action plan.
• Assist Culture sector in upcoming events organized by the Sector or otherwise, if required.
• Ensure adequate reporting of the projects that need to be prepared on a regular basis in line with UNESCO’ s established practices.
• Perform any task requested either by Programme Specialist or Director of the Office.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.   A successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following core competencies:  

• Project Management
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Communication and Coordination
• Reporting 
• Problem Solving
• Project budgeting and financials
• Rural Travel and exposure of ICH

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education:

Specialized, comprehensive support work, requiring secondary school education level

Work Experience:

• Ten years of in-depth experience in Rural Development sector with focused experience of coordinating and managing handicraft/handloom/MSME&T/ICH projects or any similar initiatives.
• At least six years in project implementation for Intangible Cultural Heritage sector.
• Experience in liaising with State Government Departments or other Government agencies.
• Ability to understand and manage the project financials for ICH based livelihood projects.

 

Languages:

Excellent English, both oral and written. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Master’s degree in Rural Management or related field or a Bachelor’s degree

Work Experience:

• Experience in managing large scale project implementation and monitoring the activities for National/International agencies or Schemes of State or Central Government.

• Prior cluster development experience for ICH Skills and communities, with respect to capacity building workshops, creation of community enterprise, revival and safeguarding of ICH skills, market linkages and reporting.

• Experience in liaising with State Government Departments or other Government agencies for strategizing implementation and policy advocacy with the Government. An understanding of the working modalities of these state bodies or departments is desirable.

• Ability to understand and manage the project financials for ICH based livelihood projects

 

Languages:

Knowledge of Bangla will be an asset

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Entitlements:

Benefits include 2.5 days of annual leave per completed month of service and 15% Social security. Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

Work Arrangement:

The work schedule is as follows Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.30 pm at the UNESCO New Delhi Office. This is subject to change in accordance with the management’s decision.

 

 

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SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in the report and apply gender-mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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