Associate Project Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : CLT/PA 124

Grade : P-1

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) : 18-NOV-2025

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

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Culture Sector's mission is to promote the role of culture, from cultural heritage to creativity, as an enabler of sustainable economic and social development, a source of knowledge and resilience and a vector for dialogue and cooperation. Through the implementation of its mutually reinforcing Culture Conventions, UNESCO works with the international community to protect culture and promote cultural pluralism in emergency situations related to armed conflict and disasters caused by natural or human-made hazards.

The mission of the Unit on the Cultural Heritage Protection Treaties (CHP) is to ensure the effective implementation of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two (1954 and 1999) Protocols, and its related programmes.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, the general supervision of the Director of Culture and Emergencies Entity, and the direct supervision of the Head of Cultural Heritage Protection Treaties Unit, the Associate Project Officer shall assist in the overall coordination of the UNESCO Civil-Military Alliance for the Protection of Cultural Property and related activities.

In particular, the incumbent shall:

Long Description

• Contribute to the follow-up of the first Forum of the UNESCO Civil-Military Alliance for the Protection of Cultural Property, and compile and maintain the roster of experts.
• Assist in the strengthening of capacities of civil and military actors, including in partnership with military academies and UN training centers, via training on obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols.
• Assist the Secretariat in providing support to States Parties in the implementation of Article 7 of the 1954 Hague Convention, including the establishment of specialized services and integrating protection principles into doctrines and military operations.
• Contribute to the development of guidance tools and materials to support the inscription and boundary clarification of cultural properties on the International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection.
• Contribute to trainings on the inscription of cultural properties under Special and Enhanced Protection, including the establishment of Tentative Lists and the signature of non-military use declarations.
• Maintain and promote the International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection and the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection, monitor the state of protection of inscribed properties, including through the retrospective inventory, and support awareness and best practice sharing with site managers and military partners.
• Support the implementation of the global ratification strategy of the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols through awareness-raising and training, especially in underrepresented regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, SIDS) and the development of accessible tools.
• Contribute to the drafting of briefings and reports, including documents to be submitted to the statutory and governing bodies, and communicate them to the relevant services of UNESCO.

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

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in the field of Culture or Social and Human Sciences, or related fields.

Work experience

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in projects in the field of cultural property protection, preferably for the military.
• Proven experience in conducting activities to reinforce civil-military cooperation on cultural property protection, including in conflict zones.
• Proven experience in the coordination of cultural property protection projects.
• Professional experience in communication and outreach.

Long Description

Skills/Competencies

• Efficiency in meeting commitments and observing deadlines whilst maintaining the quality of work.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, including the preparation of documents and reports.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the capacity to manage training programmes on cultural property protection.
• Ability to establish, maintain and enhance effective and professional relationships, with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team and in a multi-cultural environment, with tact and diplomacy.
• Good IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Intranet, Internet, etc.).

Languages

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialized training or courses in one or more of the following disciplines: cultural property protection in military operations and peacekeeping missions, identification, inventory and monitoring of cultural properties, conflict studies.
• Training /certification in project management in the field of culture.

Work experience

• Work experience working with the military on cultural property protection, at the international level.
• Work experience within an international organization or a United Nations agency.
• Experience related to emergency situations, such as armed conflict.

Long Description

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of the 1954 Convention and its two Protocols.
• Good knowledge of the cultural dimension of conflicts and peacebuilding.
• Familiarity with UNESCO's standard-setting instruments and programmes in the field of Culture.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages, (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO's salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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 an 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.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. 

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