Individual Consultant (Co-Author)-Safeguarding World Heritage Site Archives in Southeast Asia

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

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) : 19-MAY-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE 

“Safeguarding World Heritage Site Archives in Southeast Asia” funded under the Japan Funds-In-Trust. The project seeks to safeguard documentary archives associated with selected World Heritage properties in Southeast Asia through: (i) on-site needs assessment and recommendations for improving the system for managing documentary archives at pilot World Heritage sites, and (ii) capacity building in managing documentary archives which will benefit various World Heritage sites in Southeast Asia, based on a manual developed as part of this project. In this way, the project will improve the protection of documentary archives, which will contribute to a more informed approach to World Heritage site management.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT 

To get a co-author to contribute to the development of an archive manual within the framework of the project “Safeguarding World Heritage Site Archives in Southeast Asia”

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Within the framework of the project “Safeguarding World Heritage Site Archives in Southeast Asia”, and Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Culture Unit of UNESCO, The individual specialist shall be responsible for the following;

Long Description

1.1 Serve as a co-author for drafting the World Heritage archives manual to respond to archival management needs that have been identified, in consultation with UNESCO, other experts, site representatives, and relevant heritage and archives agencies. 

a. Draft the text for the World Heritage archives manual covering: Acquiring and organizing archives; Preserving archives; Accessing archives; Digital archives; and Preparing a disaster recovery plan. This is subject to revision as per discussion and agreement between UNESCO and the co-authors on the publication outline.  
b. In coordination with the co-author, ensure that the content conforms with international best practices and guidelines in archival management and World Heritage sites management. The manual shall be guided by, but not be limited to, the frameworks provided by the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form as well as guidelines and principles of the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Programme, and the and the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. 
c.  Provide inputs for the refinement of the draft World Heritage archives manual based on peer review and the lessons learned from implementing the recommendations at three pilot sites, with inputs from co-author(s), national experts and consultation with UNESCO.

Long Description

1.2 Provide technical inputs for the capacity building of staff and professionals related to archives management, and the implementation of the draft Manual at three pilot sites (Historic City of Ayutthaya (Thailand), Borobudur Temple Compounds (Indonesia), and Koh Ker Archaeological site (Cambodia)).

a. Serve as a trainer during the onsite training for three pilot sites based on the draft Manual in collaboration with the co-author, other trainers and selected national experts. The training is expected to be attended by representatives from three pilot sites as well as  representatives from national archiving agencies of the three countries. It will introduce the draft manual and assist the participants from three pilot sites to produce a site-specific implementation action plan. The training is proposed to take place onsite in Borobudur Temple Compounds, Indonesia, tentatively in mid-July 2024. 
b. Provide mentoring and technical guidance to national experts and three pilot sites for their site implementation activities.

1.3  Contribute to the organization of sub-regional training on managing archives and their contribution to World Heritage site management. 

a. Provide technical inputs for the organization of a sub-regional training workshop on World Heritage archives management. This online training is expected to introduce the final World Heritage Archives Manual and provide basic training on archives management for World Heritage site managers at the ASEAN level.    
b. Refine the training content for the sub-regional training based on the final Manual and the feedback received after the onsite training and implementation activities at three pilot sites, if needed. 

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Individual Specialist is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

The work shall be completed by 15 December 2024 at the latest.

No travel is anticipated

TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES
No. 
Deliverable(s) 
Timeline
1
Draft content of World Heritage Archives Manual (1.1.a)
31st May 2024
2
Training materials for the onsite training of three pilot sites (1.2.a)
30th June 2024
3
Final manuscript of World Heritage Archives Manual (1.1.b, 1.1.c, 1.2.b)
31st August 2024
4
Final training materials (1.3.a, 1.3.b)
30th November 2024
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)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

 An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent and above) in the field of archives management, heritage studies or related professional areas, with a sub-specialization related to conservation if possible. 

Work Experience 

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the field of archives management of which at least five years acquired at the regional/international level.
• Proven experience in working on archival inventories and management in heritage contexts. 
• Proven experience in training on archives and/or World Heritage site management.

Languages

 Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience 

• Relevant experience with international and multilateral organizations is an asset.
• Previous experience at World Heritage sites in Cambodia, Indonesia, and/or Thailand.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience including examples of similar prior assignments, and contact details of 2 references including email addresses and telephone numbers.
• A motivation letter.
• A brief proposal on approach/methodology on how to carry out the assignment (maximum 2, A4 pages) and the proposed professional fee in USD. 

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money. 

Assessment 

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered. 
• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview. 

Note:

• Due to the large number of applications, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the status or outcome of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through the UNESCO careers website. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at [email protected]. 

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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