Consultant (Cultural Policies & Development)

Consultant (Cultural Policies & Development)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

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) : 15/02/2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies Agreement, UNESCO is implementing a project that aims to strengthen the educational functions of cultural institutions, foster cooperation between cultural institutions, schools and communities, and expand professional opportunities in the cultural sector, in line with the spirit and provisions of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education. Since early 2023, activities are being carried out in two pilot countries—Tanzania and Argentina — with the involvement of relevant stakeholders, including governmental authorities, cultural and educational institutions, and the civil society for resilient and inclusive sustainable development of communities, particularly for those that are the most vulnerable.

In this context, and under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, and overall supervision of Director for Cultural Policies and Development (CPD), and direct supervision of Programme Coordinator, and in close cooperation with the UNESCO Offices in Dar es Salaam and Montevideo, the Individual Consultant will work to ensure the effective coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all project activities under the UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies Agreement, including the technical assistance and capacity-building components, communication and visibility actions, and final evaluation.

Concretely, the individual consultant shall:

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   • 1. Coordinate the effective and timely implementation of all project activities, with a particular emphasis on preparing and executing capacity-development interventions for formulating pedagogies, materials, and other educational activities in cultural institutions in Tanzania and Argentina. Build and maintain close collaboration with pilot country beneficiaries, cultural entities, educational organizations, and partner stakeholders to ensure seamless operation. Maintain strategic dialogue to ensure that project objectives remain responsive to local priorities and evolving requirements.

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   • 2. Strengthen stakeholder engagement and advocacy by fostering ongoing communication and partnership with the donor, Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, as well as with pilot countries and their beneficiaries. Concurrently, engage country-based Expert Groups and international advisory experts to reinforce the project’s technical rigor and alignment with the abovementioned Framework.

Long Description

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   • 3. Expand communication and visibility efforts to enhance the project’s profile and outreach on both national and global platforms, while equally driving advocacy efforts that spotlight on the importance of integrating cultural and educational institutions, emphasizing their collective contribution to inclusive education, cultural appreciation, and sustainable development. In this context, act on identified opportunities to disseminate key achievements, demonstrating progress and successes to diverse audiences. Adapt and implement the communication plan established with the donor, ensuring cohesive branding and messaging.

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   • 4. Implement a robust monitoring, reporting, and evaluation framework that upholds transparency and drives accountability throughout the project lifecycle, including through organizing roundtable meetings in Tanzania and Argentina to highlight key outcomes and lessons learned, reinforcing the significance of cultural-educational cooperation; also, to this end, coordinate with UNESCO Field Offices and relevant UNESCO central services to secure punctual reporting, while maintaining financial and administrative oversight.

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   • 5. Act as focal point for the external evaluation by providing essential documentation. Complete final reporting and closure processes to meet donor and UNESCO requirements; adhere strictly to established deadlines and reporting standards, ensuring compliance and accountability, and meanwhile strive for a minimum 99% budget execution rate in the technical assistance component, effectively demonstrating resource efficiency and positive outcomes.

TIMELINE AND DELIVERABLES

TIMELINE AND DELIVERABLES 

Submit the following deliverables for validation by UNESCO, accompanied by an original payment request, dated and signed, for each payment due under this contract, within the timeframe indicated below:

2.1       Trimestral narrative report to the Donor, covering progress, challenges, and next steps, by 31 March 2025;

2.2       Draft concept note, background note, and agenda on the country-based roundtables in Argentina and in Tanzania, outlining key findings, stakeholder feedback covering the duration of the three-year project, by 30 April 2025;

2.3       Develop and circulate a final evaluation questionnaire to beneficiaries to gather their feedback on the UNESCO–Alwaleed project, including results, testimonies and gaps, by 30 May 2025;

2.4       Trimestral narrative report to the donor, covering progress, challenges, and next steps, by 30 June 2025;

2.5       Analysis based on the feedback gathered from the final evaluation questionnaire, with a view to supporting the external body for its evaluation of the project, by 31 July 2025;

2.6       An internal document on lessons learned that may be used to inform on future implementation of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education, by 31 August 2025;

2.7       Trimestral narrative report to the donor, covering progress, challenges, and next steps, by 30 September 2025;

2.8       Short report on the country-based roundtable in Argentina and Tanzania, including on the organization and coordination aspects, while highlighting outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations, by 31 October 2025;

2.9       The comprehensive final report and its associated annexes encompassing the36-month lifecycle of the project (needs analysis, description of implementation process of national projects, visibility activities and all related final documents, monitoring survey and analysis), by 31 December 2025.

LOCATION AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• The Consultant will be based in UNESCO HQ with potential missions to Tanzania, Argentina and Saudi Arabia, as required for roundtable meetings and stakeholder consultations.
• Travel arrangements, if any, will be made in consultation with UNESCO and in accordance with UNESCO’s travel policies.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in cultural policy, arts history, cultural management, international development, project management, or related fields.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in project coordination, preferably in the culture and/or education sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in working with international organizations, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and donor-funded projects.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage financial and administrative aspects of projects.
• Excellent knowledge of English or French, and good knowledge of Spanish;

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in designing and analyzing evaluation tools (e.g., questionnaires) will be considered an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of English, French and Spanish.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

A written proposal comprising:

(a) A Technical Proposal consisting of:

- an up to date curriculum vitae

- a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment

(b) The amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD and expressed on a monthly basis. Please show any travel costs separately.

Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English

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.