Consultant - Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Culture)

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level : Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Paris

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 06/07/2026

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

Background

UNESCO Diversity of Cultural Expressions Entity promotes the diversity of cultural expressions and the creative economy as vectors for sustainable development. Its mission is to ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist. The Entity fosters international cooperation by providing assistance to governments around the world to design, monitor, and evaluate policies. It also provides support to the sound decision-making of the Convention’s governing bodies through knowledge sharing and data collection, analysis, and distribution.

The promotion of artistic freedom and the improvement of the status of the artists are central objectives of the 2005 Convention and the 1980 Recommendation. In this context, civil society organisations play a critical role in protecting artists’ rights, documenting violations of artistic freedom, providing direct support to cultural professionals, and contributing to the development and implementation of cultural policies. Recognizing the importance of civil society in advancing artistic freedom, the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO has provided a voluntary contribution to support four civil society-led projects. Through this contribution, UNESCO will support the implementation, monitoring and visibility of the four projects, while strengthening collaboration with civil society actors and enhancing awareness of artistic freedom issues.

Gender equality is also a global priority of UNESCO and a strategic priority of the 2005 Convention. The Convention calls for policies and measures that address structural barriers and inequalities affecting women artists and cultural professionals and promote their full participation in cultural life. Over the past years, the Entity for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions has implemented a range of initiatives to strengthen evidence, capacities and policy responses on gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors. Building on these experiences, there is a need to consolidate knowledge, document lessons learned and develop practical tools to support the design and implementation of gender-responsive cultural policies and programmes.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Coordination and implementation of projects funded by the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO

• Coordinate with UNESCO Field Offices and implementing partners to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the four projects funded by the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO;
• Support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the projects through regular follow-up meetings, preparation of progress reports, and development of monitoring tools and template documents;
• Contribute to the visibility and communication of project activities and results through the preparation of communication materials and knowledge products;
• Liaise with relevant UNESCO services and partners, as appropriate, to facilitate project implementation, monitoring and reporting.

2. Knowledge management on gender equality within the framework of the 2005 Convention

• Prepare a report consolidating and analysing information, data, lessons learned and good practices emerging from projects implemented by the Entity for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions on gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors;
• Elaborate recommendations for the mainstreaming of gender equality in operational projects implemented by the Entity for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, based on the above-mentioned report and taking into account the findings of the Reshaping policies for Creativity report;
• Draft a concept note for the development of a thematic webpage on gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors within the framework of the 2005 Convention website;
• Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of evidence, experiences and recommendations related to gender equality.

DELIVERABLES

The contractor will submit the following deliverables, for validation by UNESCO, within the expected duration of the contract, as indicated below:

1. Inception report, including a detailed workplan, for the implementation and monitoring of the four projects.
2. Draft project implementation and monitoring toolkits, including templates and guidance materials for implementing partners.
3. Analytical mapping and consolidation report of projects, studies, tools and knowledge resources on gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors implemented under the framework of the 2005 Convention.
4. Progress report on the implementation of the four projects, including a summary of activities undertaken, challenges identified and recommendations for follow-up.
5. Concept note for the development of a thematic webpage on gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors on the 2005 Convention website, including proposed structure and content.
6. Final report including progress on the implementation of the four projects and recommendations for the mainstreaming of gender equality in operational projects.

Long Description

Work Location – UNESCO Headquarters

CONTRACT DURATION

Expected duration – 6 months (from September 2026 to February 2027)

Long Description

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in disciplines in the field of culture.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience acquired in the field of culture of which a minimum of 3 years at international level.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge and proven expertise in coordination of multilateral cooperation projects.
• Strong knowledge and experience on gender equality in the field of cultural and creative industries.
• Strong ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and formulate research documents.
• Ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of partners and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
• Ability to work both independently and in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• Strong IT skills.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of both English and French (speaking, reading and writing) and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience with the implementation of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
• Professional experience in the United Nations system.

SKILLS

• Expert knowledge of UNESCO Culture Conventions and its Programmes.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another UNESCO official language will be an asset.

APPLICATION 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.

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:

• An up-to-date CV;
• A brief technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference
• A competitive fee for the assignment quoted in EUR (or USD) and expressed on a monthly basis.

Long Description

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.