Project Assistant – Documentary Heritage, (Based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Field Office
Duty Station: Saudi Arabia
Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]
Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]
Job Family: Communication and Information
Type of contract : Non Staff
Level : Level 3
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 28/11/2023
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Within the framework of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector Main Line of Action 2 “Enabling Universal Access and Preservation of Information and Knowledge” and as part of the UNESCO-Al Ula project on supporting documentary heritage preservation in Saudi Arabia, UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen seeks to understand the needs, capacities, and challenges of documentary heritage institutions in the country in order to provide them with a comprehensive training programme. To this end, UNESCO plans to launch a national survey addressed to documentary heritage institutions and prepare a survey report informing the capacity-building component.
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, the direct supervision of the Communication and Information Programme Officer, the successful candidate will be based in Riyadh and responsible for assisting the Programme Officer in the implementation of the project “Supporting Documentary Heritage Preservation in Saudi Arabia” and assisting UNESCO Communication and Information sector in the development of the Memory of the World Programme in Saudi Arabia.
In particular, the Project Assistant shall provide assistance for the implementation of the “Supporting Documentary Heritage Preservation in Saudi Arabia” project by:
1. Conducting a thorough mapping of institutions (December 2023 – February 2024):
1. Conducting a thorough mapping of institutions (December 2023 – February 2024):
- Based on the database developed by the office in 2019/2020, continue to identify new memory institutions with documentary heritage in Saudi Arabia, enrich and update the database. Documentary heritage includes manuscripts, archives, historic books, maps, photographs and audio-visual recordings, rock inscriptions, etc. The list may include government institutions, museums, archives, universities and private collectors.
- Ensure that the list is up-to-date and is as comprehensive as possible (name, address, phone number, email, of each institution or collector), including with family libraries and private collectors.
2. Overseeing the survey dissemination (February 2024 – April 2024):
- Overseeing the survey dissemination (February 2024 – April 2024):
- Disseminate the survey to the comprehensive database of memory institutions in Saudi Arabia. The survey will be provided by UNESCO in electronic format and seeks to map situation of documentary heritage, legislation, challenges, needs and opportunities of institutions.
- Follow up on survey responses, and coordinate with stakeholders for survey completion. In cases where no response is received, the project assistant may need to organize meetings or site visits with the institutions or collectors listed in the database to ensure completion of the survey.;
- Answer inquiries and provide clarifications and help when needed, in consultation with UNESCO Office to the Gulf States and Yemen, and coordinate with documentary heritage institutions when needed to support survey completion process;
2. Follow-up
- On a weekly basis, share a summary of survey responses received with UNESCO office;
- Compile all survey answers sent by email in PDF format and enter responses in the dedicated software and respond to institutions to acknowledge receipt of survey;
- Write a report at the end of the survey period documenting how the process went, including challenges, recommendations, lessons learned and achievements (up to 5 pages max);
- Support the author contracted by UNESCO to analyze survey results and write survey report in accessing the data and facilitating meetings to compile qualitative data.
- Assisting the office in organizing the capacity building programme related to documentary heritage preservation (April 2024 – September 2024):
- Identifying venue, catering, and potential partners;
- Assisting in event preparation including international travels and procurement of services for implementation of activities;
- Assisting in the preparation of list of participants, preparation of invitations letters, following up on RSVPs.
Short Description
- Providing on the ground support to the organization for the conference planned in Al Ula in end of 2024 (September – December 2024).
- Support UNESCO in preparing for the conference planned in December 2024 by providing on the ground support. While the project team will ensure logistics, including procurement and administration, programming and relationship with vendors, speakers and participants, the project assistant will ensure on the ground, prior to the event, that the venue and services related to the organization are arranged as per the requirements of the project team. The project assistant may support as well in following-up with participants upon request from the project team and after prior communication.
Short Description
- Communication and reporting
- In close coordination with the Programme Associate and the Communication officer, identify opportunities for visibility of the project and provide content as requested by the Communication officer to ensure coverage of the different activities.
- Providing support to administrative or technical duties for the project such as procurement (organization of events, trainings, conference), supporting in preparing presentations, briefings and reports.
- Following developments and remain aware of the advancement in the area of documentary heritage preservation in Saudi Arabia;
- Assisting in identifying, expanding cooperation and partnership in the field of documentary heritage preservation through networking, communication, attendance of events/conferences;
- Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
University degree (BA or equivalent) preferably in communication, library/information sciences, cultural heritage preservation, political science, international development or any other relevant fields covered by the work of the UNESCO’s programmes in Building Knowledge Societies.
Work experience
Three years of working experience in communication, cultural heritage protection, access to information, international development, project management. Advanced university degree (MA or equivalent) in the relevant field in combination with at least two year of relevant qualifying experience will be accepted.
Skills and competencies
- Knowledge in the field of access to information, cultural heritage protection, documentary heritage preservation, project management.
- Good analytical, planning, organizational skills.
- Good communication, IT, and information management skills.
- Ability to draft clear and concise reports.
- Proven ability to organize events, workshops.
- Experience coordinating, communicating with external partners (NGOs, Governments, etc.)
- Ability to manage large database, compile and analyze information.
Languages
Fluency in English and Arabic.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge about UNESCO´s actions in this field of work.
Knowledge of the Memory of the World Programme.
Experience with the UN system and understanding of its functioning and procedures.
Working experience in the Arab region will be an asset.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Please note that only applications from Saudi nationals and residents will be considered.
UNESCO Salaries in Saudi Arabia are paid in Saudi Riyals; the annual remuneration for the post is from SAR 206600. UNESCO Service Contract benefits includes 30 days of annual leave as well as a contribution to pension scheme and health insurance upon proof of inscription.
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.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
