Consultant - Inventorying and Safeguarding of Yazidi Intangible Cultural Heritage in Iraq

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level : Level 3 - Senior

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Duhok

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 26/06/2026

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

OVERVIEW

The Yazidi community in Iraq continues to bear the deep scars of the Islamic State’s occupation, during which both lives and cultural identity were targeted through the destruction of shrines, sacred artifacts and traditions. In response, UNESCO Iraq, in collaboration with the Nadia Initiative and the Lalish Cultural Centre, is stepping up its efforts to inventory Yazidi intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through the implementation of the project Inventorying and safeguarding Yazidi intangible cultural heritage in Iraq (here-after the Project).

The project aims to safeguard and promote the ICH of the Yazidi community by strengthening local capacities for community-based inventorying and documentation. Through systematic training, participatory workshops, and mentoring.

Building on a 2023 survey of 97 shrines and 88 related practices, the Project will focus on documenting the non-religious aspects of Yazidi ICH, with the goal of creating a searchable online database is accessible to the community, particularly young people. The outcomes will include strengthened identity, continuity and social cohesion, and the activities will focus on research, documentation and digital tools to safeguard and revitalise Yazidi heritage.

The project will result in a comprehensive digital database, a finalised, quality-assured inventory of ICH and a publication showcasing documented Yazidi cultural expressions, fostering social cohesion, strengthening cultural identity, and supporting the transmission of heritage knowledge to younger generations.

Long Description

ASSIGNMENTS

Within the framework of the Project, under the overall supervision of the Head of UNESCO Iraq Office, and the direct supervision of the Senior CLT Project Officer, and in accordance with UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and international best practices, the Senior Consultant will provide technical leadership and expert guidance under the following objectives:

• To build capacity of local community members in ICH inventory through the preparation and delivery of specialised workshop;
• To oversee the community-based inventory processes, ensuring the quality and validation of collected data
• To support the preparation and dissemination of a comprehensive inventory of Yazidi intangible cultural heritage.

Long Description

Long Description

CONTRACT DURATION

Total duration: 18 months

Structured as two contracts:

• • First contract: 11 months
  • One-month break
  • Second contract: 7 months
  • Part-time, homebased with 3 missions to Iraq

Long Description

DELIVERABLES

Activity/Deliverables

Estimated Duration (weeks)

Phase I: Inception phase and project launch

Participation to the project launch meeting in Iraq (mission report)

2 weeks

Submission of a detailed agenda and hands-out (English and Arabic) for the workshop on community-led ICH inventory (target: 34 participants)

2 weeks

Submission of the ICH inventory methodology, raw data collection tools, and preliminary database

3 weeks

Phase II: Capacity building activities and fieldwork initiation

Delivery of the training on community-led ICH inventory (10 days) and a report on the results of the training (1 week)

3 weeks

Supervision of ICH inventory implementation, in close coordination with the 4 team leaders (submission of monthly monitoring reports)

4-6 months

Phase III: Final inventory validation and documentation

Preparation and delivery of a validation workshop (5 days) for the Yazidi ICH inventory (workshop, agenda and hands-out material to be prepared in English and Arabic)

3 weeks

Submission of a report on the results of the workshop and draft ICH inventory report

2 weeks

A final report of the ICH Inventory

4 weeks

Phase IV: Publishing and dissemination of Yazidi ICH inventory

Selection of ICH Yazidi elements to be published in an online catalogue, including text and illustration

4 weeks

A final narrative report describing the activities carried out during the reporting period, and including all the material produced under the assignment, and final observations and recommendations

2 weeks

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 or higher) in Anthropology, Cultural Heritage Studies, Ethnology, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, Archaeology, or a related field is mandatory.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the field of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), cultural heritage management, or community-based cultural documentation (mandatory).
• Demonstrated experience in implementing projects related to the safeguarding, documentation, and inventorying of intangible cultural heritage (mandatory – minimum 2 references).
• Proven expertise in applying UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and community-based inventorying methodologies.
• Extensive experience in designing and delivering capacity-building and training programmes for heritage professionals and community stakeholders.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and supervising field-based research and documentation activities.
• Proven record of preparing technical reports, publications, inventories, and knowledge products related to cultural heritage.

• Experience in community-based inventorying of sacred sites and their associated intangible cultural heritage, similar to the current assignment.
• Familiarity with Yazidi cultural heritage and the Iraqi context.
• Previous experience working in Iraq, the Middle East, or post-conflict environments.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong technical knowledge of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and inventorying processes.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and intercultural skills.
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
• Excellent drafting, editing, and reporting skills.

LANGUAGES

• English — Fluency (mandatory)
• Arabic — Working knowledge (mandatory)

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. Candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:

• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a statement indicating why your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
• A technical proposal (3 pages maximum) outlining relevant experience and approach to the assignment, including a timeline.
• A financial proposal in USD: The consultant should provide the estimates based on the deliverables under section 3 above and should be quoted in US dollars. UNESCO covers Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and travel expenses in line with the relevant UNESCO rules and regulations. Thus, there is no need to include the DSA and travel expenses in the professional fee estimate.
• Contacts of at least three references.

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.