Project Officer (Culture)

OVERVIEW

Post Number:CLT/PA 123

Grade:P-3

Parent Sector:Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station:Paris

Job Family:Culture

Type of contract:Project Appointment

Duration of contract:1 year

Recruitment open to:Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time):27-OCT-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture the general supervision of the Director of World Heritage and the direct supervision of the Head of the Europe and North America Unit the Project Officer will serve as Desk Officer responsible for a cluster of States Parties within the Europe and North America region. The Unit supports Member States in strengthening capacities to identify protect and manage tangible heritage and in ensuring the safeguarding of the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties.

In particular the incumbent shall:

• Monitor the state of conservation of World Heritage properties in a designated cluster of States Parties within Europe and North America by analysing relevant reports and information received from States Parties and third parties including on projects that may impact the Outstanding Universal Value of properties; facilitate consultations with the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee; and ensure implementation of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention;
• Prepare backstop and participate in Reactive Monitoring and Advisory missions to World Heritage properties as representative of UNESCO World Heritage Centre and coordinate and contribute to the preparation of resulting mission reports.
• Contribute to the drafting of working documents for sessions of the World Heritage Committee particularly state of conservation reports and provide the necessary assistance and support to the Secretariats work in organising statutory meetings of the Conventions governing bodies.
• Support States Parties in the dissemination and implementation of the 2024-2031 Regional Action Plan for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Europe and North America including through the use of existing Resource Manuals and other online tools.
• Supervise and mentor interns assigned to the Unit including through participation in their selection process the definition of their tasks and the providing regular guidance and feedback.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in the field of culture archaeology architecture history cultural heritage or a related field.

Work experience

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the field of culture cultural heritage preservation or related fields of which preferably two (2) years acquired at the international level.

Long Description

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent analytical and drafting skills with proven ability to prepare clear and concise reports and working documents.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.
• Proven ability to establish maintain and strengthen effective and professional working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including governmental and non-governmental partners.
• High level of discretion tact and diplomacy with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively both independently and within a multicultural team.
• Good IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word Excel and standard office software.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff or interns.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and spoken) and good knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• PhD in archaeology architecture history cultural heritage or a related field.

Work experience

• Experience in the field of heritage preservation at an international level.
• Experience in developing or delivering training materials or capacity-building activities related cultural heritage.

Skills/Competencies

• Familiarity with UNESCOs rules procedures and programmes particularly the World Heritage Convention and its Operational Guidelines.

Languages

• Knowledge of another/other official UNESCO language(s) (Arabic Chinese Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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