OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 1-AUG-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

The mission of the Unit on the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) is to ensure the effective implementation of the 2001 Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, and its related programmes.

Work assignment

In that framework, under the authority of the Director of the Culture and Emergencies Entity and the direct supervision of the Chief a.i. of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Based on Recommendation 3 of the 14th STAB meeting, assess and develop activities related to the International underwater archaeological mission on the Skerki Bank and in the Sicily Channel as described by the 2001 UNESCO Convention, with the following tasks:

i. Develop communication and awareness-raising materials aimed at promoting and encouraging the ratification of the 2001 Convention, ensuring their quality from a scientific and technical point of view, in particular as concerns the new website of the Convention, of the Multilateral project as well as other communication initiatives;

ii. Ensure the translation, broadcast and dissemination of the documentary (EN/HR/IT/AR/ESP) in coordination with CPE, Gedeon Programme and associated partners;

iii. Organize the promotion and dissemination of the photo exhibition, in close cooperation with interested Field Offices;

iv. Organize the formal and informal meetings of the Coordination Committee established for the International underwater archaeological mission:

• prepare agenda, working documents, briefings, correspondence and other materials, including communication tools;
• ensure regular contacts and information sharing with the focal points of the eight participating Member States;

v. As per requested by the STAB during the 14th and 15th STAB meeting, elaborate and organize consultations with the Coordination Committee on:

• the Lessons Learned about the first implementation of the cooperation mechanism for the protection of UCH outside of territorial waters,
• a Model Roadmap on the cooperation mechanism for the protection of UCH outside of territorial waters.

2. Based on Recommendation 5 of the 15th STAB ordinary meeting in June 2024, requesting the Secretariat to launch consultations on the potential project in the Baltic Sea region focusing on the endangered wooden wrecks”, the Consultant will:

i. Organize the formal and informal meetings of a potential multilateral cooperation project in the Baltic Sea with permanent delegations and experts;

ii. Prepare agenda, working documents, briefings, correspondence and other materials, including communication tools;

iii. Ensure regular contacts and information sharing with the focal points of the governmental and non governemental partners;

iv. Contribute to the drafting of a global project for the protection of vulnerable UCH in the Baltic Sea (scientific study, protection, education, capacity building and communication);

Long Description

v. Participate in identifying fundraising partners and drafting an estimated budget;

vi. Participate in identifying communication partners and initiatives to ensure the project and UNESCO visibility.

3. Identify other possible international archaeological missions by analysing potential new partners (institutions, experts and countries), in coordination with international and local experts, identifying and assessing the vulnerable UCH remains to protect.

4. Support the Secretariat’s efforts to build projects and programmes relating to climate change-induced threats to underwater and coastal heritage by:

i. Assessing the state of research, identify the interesting institutions, experts and heritage sites related to the protection of underwater and coastal heritage facing the threats of Climate Change;

ii. Developing and implementing a project on Risk Assessment on Climate Change impacts on Underwater and Coastal Heritage;

• Online platform and datasets;
• Focus on pilot projects and on-site documentation;

iii. Supporting the organization in 2024 of an international conference on Climate Change and UCH in preparation to the UNOC 25;

iv. Supporting the organization of related climate-change and UCH official side-events during the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France in June 2025 and, in particular,

v. Under CPE’s coordination, ensure the visibility of the 2001 UNESCO Convention during the Art Explora Festival, notably by organizing a Think Tank session on Climate Change and UCH on the boat stopovers in Nice (June 2025) and other potential stopovers

5. Contribute to the implementation of activities carried out by the Secretariat of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage with the following tasks:

i. For the 2001 UNESCO Convention, prepare requested contributions to the documents for the meetings with STAB and stakeholders, compile and review data, content and opinions experts to support the drafting of the Global Report on cultural policies and the process of implementation of a monitoring mechanism for the 2001 Convention;

ii. Draw on meetings, compile and review data and content to support the review and implementation of the Theory of change;

iii. Develop with the UNITWIN and NGO networks a free MOOC on Underwater Cultural Heritage;

iv. Support the Secretariat for the organization of the next 10th MSP and 16th STAB meetings in June 2025. In particular:

v. draft documents and resolutions related to the follow up and preparation of the past and future implementation of the international cooperation mechanism;

vi. support coordination and negotiations with States Parties to the Convention with regard to future potential cooperation missions;

vii. Draw scientific guidelines and proof-read scientific communications for the implementation of any other activities and underwater archaeological missions, notably in relation with UNFCCC COP29 and the 2025 Ocean Summit;

viii. Analyse the archaeological data available and from previous underwater archaeological studies to support the implementation of the underwater archaeological mission on the Qalhât WH site in Oman by the Alexandria University UNESCO Chair, with the collaboration of Doha FU;

ix. In relation notably with the 2025 Ocean Summit and Année de la Mer organized in France, ensure the visibility of the 2001 UNESCO Convention by drafting requested communication tools, while

x. Assess, research and draft the possibilities for projects to be implemented in cooperation with France;

xi. Develop and implement a think tank about Museums and UCH in collaboration with MHM;

xii. Based on the international multilateral mission and project best practice, support the development of training activities for underwater cultural heritage professionals in cooperation with UNESCO Field Offices;

xiii. Participate in developing communication and awareness-raising materials aimed at promoting and encouraging the ratification of the 2001 Convention, ensuring their quality from a scientific and technical point of view, in particular as concerns the new website of the Convention, of the Multilateral project as well as other communication initiatives;

xiv. Advise on inter-Conventions potential projects (in particular the 1954, 1970, 1972 and 2003 Conventions)

xv. Ensure the Secretariat’s attendance and follow-up of international scientific conferences on underwater archaeology, starting with the ISBSA conference in October 2024.

TIME LINES AND DELIVERABLES

The contractor will submit the following deliverables, for validation by UNESCO, within the expected duration of the contract, as indicated below:

1. Conference on climate change and UCH
2. Report on the ISBSA Conference (October 2024)
3. Baltic Project Documents
4. MOOC
5. Climate Change project (webpage & associated documents)
6. Statutory meetings

7. Associated events for Nice 2025

8. Implementation and Follow up statutory meetings and UNOC

Work Location – Home based

Expected duration – 10 months

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

–

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in disciplines in the field of culture

Work Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience acquired in the field of culture of which three (3) in cultural policies at the international level.

Skills and Competencies

• Good knowledge of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and UN System.

Long Description

• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments and programmes in the field of culture, including of the 2001 Convention.

• Good knowledge and proven expertise in coordination of global consultations and multi-stakeholder management.

• Good knowledge and proven expertise in underwater archaeology and the protection of underwater cultural heritage.

• Good knowledge and proven expertise in coordination of multilateral cooperation projects.

• Good knowledge and proven expertise in event coordination and awareness raising material

Long Description

• Strong ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and formulate research documents.

• Strong ability to collect and handle geographic information system (GIS) data and heritage inventories.

• Ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of partners and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.

• Ability to work both independently and in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

• Strong IT skills.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of both English and French (speaking, reading and writing) and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience

• Professional experience in the United Nations system.
• Proven experience in organising global multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Expert knowledge of UNESCO Culture Programmes.
• Proven experience in the study, protection, conservation and awareness raising of underwater cultural heritage.

Languages

• English and French and knowledge of another UN official language will be an asset.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Footer