Associate Project Officer (Culture)

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 10-NOV-2025 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance Under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, and the direct supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit, the incumbent will assist in the implementation of UNESCO’s cultural programme in South‑East Europe, countries covered by the Regional Bureau. S/he will support activities, among others, related to culture and creativity, the safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage, and the strengthening of capacities for heritage protection and management. The incumbent will also contribute to the development and implementation of EU‑funded projects and to the broader intersectoral programme of the Bureau. Main Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit, the incumbent will contribute to the implementation of UNESCO’s cultural programme in the region covered by the Bureau, with a focus on capacity‑building, heritage safeguarding, and cultural policy development. Programme and Technical Support Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of activities under EU‑funded and other extra‑budgetary projects, notably Culture and Creativity in the Western Balkans. Support the preparation of training materials, guidelines and workshops targeting professionals and institutions involved in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. Assist in the organization of regional and national capacity‑building activities on emergency preparedness, post‑disaster needs assessment, and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Support the implementation of UNESCO’s contribution to Horizon Europe initiatives, ensuring coordination of assigned Work Packages and timely delivery of related outputs. Provide inputs for the preparation of project documentation, concept notes, technical reports and communication materials. Coordination and Project Management Ensure effective coordination of project activities across multiple initiatives, maintaining regular communication with implementing partners, governmental counterparts, experts, and other stakeholders. Support the preparation and follow‑up of project workplans, budgets, and progress reports, ensuring that all activities are implemented in line with UNESCO rules and donor requirements. Contribute to the recruitment and supervision of project consultants and service providers, including drafting terms of reference, overseeing deliverables, and ensuring quality and timely outputs. Assist in the organization of relevant steering committee meetings, coordination events, and missions; prepare background documentation, minutes, and follow‑up actions. Monitor project timelines and financial expenditures in collaboration with the Administrative and Finance Unit, ensuring coherence between substantive and financial reporting. Contribute to risk monitoring and the identification of implementation challenges, proposing corrective measures to ensure the efficient delivery of project outputs. Support the visibility and communication of project activities through coordination with the Bureau’s communication team, partners, and relevant EU visibility requirements. Strategic and Intersectoral Support Support coordination among project partners, experts, and institutional stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of planned activities. Contribute to project monitoring, reporting, and follow‑up in close collaboration with the administrative and finance teams. Provide logistical and organizational support for meetings, missions and events, and assist in documentation and communication with partners. Cross‑sectoral and Strategic Support Contribute to the development and implementation of the Bureau’s intersectoral programme, including analysis of trends in the culture and creative sectors, identification of synergies with education, science, and communication initiatives, and recommendations for programme development. Assist in partner liaison, communication, and resource mobilization efforts, including preparation of presentations, briefs, and visibility materials. Draft and review correspondence, concept notes, and technical inputs related to the Bureau’s activities in the field of culture. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication Accountability Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement Education Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Cultural Heritage Management, Cultural Policy, International Cultural Cooperation, or related fields of Humanities or Social Sciences. Experience At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the field of culture, with a focus on heritage safeguarding, cultural policy development, or cultural and creative industries. Proven experience in managing or coordinating international and/or EU‑funded cultural projects, preferably in South‑East Europe or the Mediterranean region. Experience in organising and implementing capacity‑building and training activities for cultural professionals, institutions, or communities. Experience in liaising with governmental counterparts, cultural institutions, and international organisations. Skills and Competencies Sound knowledge of cultural heritage protection systems, UNESCO conventions in the field of culture, and related EU policies and programmes in South‑East Europe. Strong leadership, coordination and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multi‑stakeholder projects involving diverse partners, including government institutions, civil society and academia. Ability to plan, implement and monitor cultural projects, including administrative and financial aspects, in line with donor requirements and UNESCO rules and procedures. Proven capacity to produce clear, concise and quality written outputs such as reports, concept notes and communication materials. Demonstrated capacity to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, ensure quality outputs, and meet deadlines under pressure. Strong analytical, drafting, presentation and reporting skills, with proven ability to produce high‑quality written outputs (reports, concept notes, visibility materials). Familiarity with cultural cooperation dynamics and regional priorities in the Western Balkans and South‑East Europe, including heritage preservation, creative economy, and cultural policy reform. Knowledge of international frameworks relevant to culture and development, including UNESCO Cultural Conventions, EU Creative Europe programme, and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Demonstrated experience in project design and resource mobilization, including preparation of project proposals, budgets, and logical frameworks. Excellent communication and networking abilities, with capacity to build and sustain partnerships across institutional, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries. Proficiency in the use of standard IT tools (word processing, spreadsheets, visual presentation tools, virtual conferencing platforms, etc.). Cultural sensitivity, integrity, negotiation and teamwork skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural environments. Understanding of UNESCO’s mandate, programme and operational modalities, particularly in the field of culture and heritage. Languages Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken). DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Education Post‑graduate specialization in Cultural Heritage Management, Cultural Policy, International Cultural Cooperation, or related fields of Humanities or Social Sciences. Languages Knowledge of French and other official UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include (if applicable) 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 72,815 US $. 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 an 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. J-18808-Ljbffr

Location: Venezia, Veneto, IT

Posted Date: 10/28/2025