Individual Culture Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Bangkok Time) : 28-MAR-2023

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office in Bangkok is seeking an individual specialist to implement the project “Safeguarding World Heritage Site Archives in Southeast Asia” funded under the UNESCO/Japan Funds-In-Trust. The project seeks to safeguard documentary archives associated with selected World Heritage properties in Southeast Asia. The documentary heritage related to these sites is critical for understanding, studying, managing, and monitoring them in a sustainable manner.  

 

Long Description

Background Information
This project will undertake two streams of implementation: (i) on-site needs assessment and recommendations for improving the system for managing documentary archives at pilot World Heritage sites, and (ii) capacity building in managing documentary archives which will benefit various World Heritage sites in Southeast Asia, based on a manual developed as part of this project. In this way, the project will improve the protection of documentary archives, which will contribute to a more informed approach to World Heritage site management. 

Tasks and Assignment

Within the framework of the project “Safeguarding World Heritage Site Archives in Southeast Asia”, and Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the overall supervision of the Chief of the Culture Unit of UNESCO  Bangkok, the incumbent shall serve as the lead technical expert and perform functions as follows:

1. Undertake a situation analysis of World Heritage documentary archives in the Southeast Asia region, with a focus on three pilot sites (Historic City of Ayutthaya (Thailand), Borobudur Temple Compounds (Indonesia), and Koh Ker Archaeological site (Cambodia)
1.1 Provide inputs on developing a preliminary questionnaire to assess the existing World Heritage documentary archives management system and capacity.

Long Description

1.2 Undertake expert missions in conjunction with country-based experts to conduct assessments on existing inventories and archival management needs at each pilot site and provide recommendations for improving the archival management system at each site. This should involve at least one mission to each site (3 days onsite, 2 days traveling). The travel cost shall be borne by the Individual Specialist under the payment of the contract and no reimbursement shall be made to UNESCO. UNESCO Bangkok Office will obtain travel clearance by the Director of UNESCO Field Office and the Individual Specialist shall obtain the security clearance by UNDSS prior to each travel.

2 Guide the capacity building of staff and professionals related to World Heritage documentary archives management: 
2.1 Lead the introductory training on documentary archives management for World Heritage site managers and representatives from related heritage and archival management agencies.
2.2 Design the on-the-job training plan for pilot sites, as part of the implementation of the site-based recommendations.

3 Serve as the lead author for drafting the World Heritage archives manual to respond to archival management needs that have been identified, in consultation with UNESCO, other experts, site representatives, and relevant heritage and archives agencies. Develop the manual outline and draft the text, in coordination with co-authors, and ensure that the content conforms with international best practices and guidelines in archival management and World Heritage sites management. The manual shall be guided by, but not be limited to, the frameworks provided by the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form as well as guidelines and principles of the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Programme.

Subject to satisfactory performance, additional follow-up scope of work in 2024 may include the following:

1. Lead the field testing of the draft manual as part of the implementation of site-based recommendations and on-the-job training at three pilot sites in collaboration with local heritage and archives experts and agencies.
2. Refine the draft World Heritage archives manual based on lessons learned from implementing the recommendations at three pilot sites, in coordination with co-authors and consultation with UNESCO.
3. Contribute to the organization of sub-regional training on managing archives and their contribution to World Heritage site management and serve as a lead trainer. 

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

Long Description

Deliverable and Timeframe 

1 Introductory training materials (PPT) (Article 2.1) and mission plan with assessment methodology by (Article 1.1) 31 May 2023.
2 Mission report on the three pilot sites in Southeast Asia including recommendations for each site (Article 1.2) by 31 August 2023.
3 Draft manual outline (Article 3) and on-the-job training plan (Article 2.2) by 15 October 2023.
4 Draft manual (Article 3) by 31 December 2023.

Duty station: Online with required missions to selected World Heritage properties

 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent and above) in the field of arts and culture, heritage management studies, documentary archives management, or related professional areas, with a sub-specialization related to conservation if possible.

Professional Work experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the field of heritage management and archiving
• Proven experience in working in international, multi-sectorial environments 
• Proven experience in training on archives and/or World Heritage site management 
• Proven experience in working on archival inventories and management in heritage contexts.

Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian culture and heritage issues
• Good knowledge of documentary archives and their management issues
• Proven conceptual and analytical skills
• Effective planning and organizing ability
• Capacity to follow up and coordinate independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia, Khmer, or Thai would be a plus. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant experience with international and multilateral organizations is an asset.
• Previous experience at World Heritage sites in Cambodia, Indonesia, and/or Thailand.

Application Process

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please 
insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience including examples of similar prior assignments, and contact details of 2 references including email addresses and telephone numbers.
• A motivation letter.
• A brief proposal on approach/methodology on how to carry out the assignment (maximum 2, A4 pages) and the proposed total and daily professional rate fee, including travel cost for missions.

The complete application shall be submitted on or before 28 March 2023, 17:00 Bangkok time (GMT+7).

Note:

• Due to the large number of applications, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the status or outcome of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through the UNESCO careers website. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at culture.bgk@unesco.org.

 

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.

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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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