Associate Project Officer

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Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

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

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

The Africa Unit is part of the World Heritage Centre, which is under UNESCO's Culture Sector. The Unit assists African States Parties to the 1972 Convention in identifying, protecting, and preserving cultural and natural heritage properties. Specifically, the Africa Unit coordinates and supports the management and conservation of World Heritage sites across the African continent.

The Unit facilitates communication and collaboration among African States Parties, supports site identification through the preparation of Tentative Lists and nomination processes, and provides technical assistance and capacity-building to ensure the safeguarding of Africa's rich cultural and natural heritage. It works in collaboration with the UNESCO regional offices in Africa, the Category 2 Centre African World Heritage Fund, the Advisory Bodies, African universities and other academic heritage institutions on the continent.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Director of World Heritage (DIR/WH), and the direct supervision of the Head of the Africa Unit of the World Heritage Centre (WHC/AFR), the incumbent shall exercise the functions of Associate Project Officer and be responsible for planning, coordinating, developing and implementing three (3) projects aimed at strengthening the capacities of African States Parties to identify, prepare and advance World Heritage nominations and to reinforce the conservation and management of heritage sites, and one (1) project aimed at advancing the recognition and preservation of Modern Heritage in Africa by strengthening the capacities of African States Parties.

Long Description

More specifically, the incumbent will be required to:

• Contribute to the implementation of projects supporting African States Parties in strengthening their institutional and technical capacities for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, including three (3) projects funded by Oman, Japan and India. This includes supporting project planning, coordination, monitoring, reporting, budget follow-up and liaison with national authorities, experts, donors, UNESCO partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assist with the organisation and delivery of capacity reinforcement activities, including workshops, training sessions, expert missions and knowledge-sharing initiatives to strengthen the skills of national practitioners, heritage professionals, institutions and communities, with particular attention to women, youth and local stakeholders involved in heritage identification, conservation and management.
• Assist with supporting African States Parties and heritage stakeholders in strengthening their capacities to engage in World Heritage processes, including the preparation and revision of Tentative Lists, Preliminary Assessments, nomination-related processes and management frameworks, while ensuring that activities respond to national priorities and promote sustainable heritage practices.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Modern Heritage by supporting the development of conceptual frameworks and operational tools.
• Undertake administrative, financial and operational follow-up of project activities, including the preparation of contracts, monitoring tools, technical and financial reports, communication materials and visibility activities, while contributing to resource mobilization efforts and the overall strategy to strengthen the representation and conservation of African heritage on the World Heritage List.
• Support and provide advice to States Parties on the related projects and assist in the implementation of related International Assistance requests.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in the field of culture, heritage conservation and management, humanities, international relations, political science or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of conservation of natural and cultural heritage and related field, of which preferably at least one (1) year acquired at the international level.
• Experience in project management.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to establish priorities