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Location: Brussels

Type of contract: Consultant contract

Duration of contract: 11 months

Posting date: 01 June 2020

Closing date: 21 June 2020

Background

The UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels is looking for a consultant for a period of eleven months to ensure follow-up of ongoing cooperation with the EU institutions and the building of new partnerships in the field of culture. The consultant will assist the Director of the Office in liaising with the European Commission, in particular the Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC), the Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO), the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT),  the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Parliament (including the Committee of Culture and Education, the External Relations and Development Committees), the Council of the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). The consultant will also ensure the relations with Brussels-based civil society organisations working in the field of culture and heritage.

Terms of reference

Under the supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels, and in cooperation with the Culture Sector and other relevant services at HQ and in the field, the Consultant will provide support to the Brussels Liaison Office to reinforce UNESCO’s strategic cooperation with the European Union institutions in the field of culture.

In particular, the Consultant will perform the following duties:

• Liaise with EU entities and Brussels-based stakeholders concerned on new developments related to the implementation of the broad EU Strategy on Cultural Diplomacy, including the EC Joint Communication on international cultural relations the New European Agenda for Culture, the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage as well as the Council Resolution on the Cultural Dimension of Sustainable Development and the European Commission Action Plan;
• Identify cooperation and partnership opportunities with the EU in the field of culture, with particular attention to innovative actions aimed at the operationalization of the linkage between culture and the SDGs. Facilitate, as needed, ongoing partnership negotiations with the EU, and provide HQ and field offices with relevant support in the above.
• Assist the Liaison Office in outreach and advocacy activities in the field of culture as a vector of sustainable development and of peace building with EU institutions, and facilitate UNESCO’s participation in high-level conferences, meetings and events, organized by the EU or other Brussels-based stakeholders.
• Support the implementation of ongoing EU-funded projects in the field of Culture, by:
• Ensuring liaison and smooth communication flows between European Commission counterparts and UNESCO implementing teams at HQ or in the field offices;
• Developing outreach and visibility, by participating in or organizing project meetings/events in Brussels, and by promoting project results and impact on the UNESCO Brussels Office’s website and social media platforms ;
• Participating in project-related meetings and conferences.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned by the Director of the Liaison Office, in cooperation with the Culture Sector.

Required qualifications

• Advanced University degree in international relations, political science, communication, development and/or related fields.
• At least seven years of professional working experience in the UN system, or in international development cooperation.
• Very good understanding of the European Institutions and their functioning, and at least five years of previous experience working in Brussels building partnerships in the field of culture and heritage. Working experience and knowledge of the European programmes for cultural cooperation.
• Strong expertise in the field of culture and knowledge of the cultural programmes and activities of UNESCO, in particular in the fields of cultural industries, culture and conflict, heritage, and culture for development.
• Knowledge of the activities and programmes of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in the field of cultural cooperation.
• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

UNESCO invites qualified persons to submit their applications in English, including:

• Letter expressing interest with a clear indication of how the candidate meets the required educational background, experience and skills;
• Curriculum vitae of the candidate;
• A written proposal consisting of an approach and methodology for the assignment and a work plan (maximum 2 pages);
• The amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars.

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 Organisation best value for money.

Applications should be submitted no later than 21 June 2020 (Midnight Brussels time) to  ao.brussels@unesco.org

this job offer is not open for applications