OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

This position is located at UNESCO Liaison Office in New York, USA. The UNESCO Liaison Office in New York engages with the various UN bodies, UN Secretariat and the broader international community on issues related to the Organization’s mandate. It ensures representation in different intergovernmental forums, and UN inter-agency meetings as it advocates for UNESCO’s mandate and strategic program priorities.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, ADG CLT and the direct supervision of the Director of the Liaison Office in New York, in close coordination with the relevant Entities of the Culture Sector, the Liaison Officer shall contribute to the relations with the UN Agencies, international organizations, representatives of Member States and partners as well as to the design, implementation, development and coordination of activities carried out under Major Programme IV Culture in the country covered by the Office in the context of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in the field of Peace and Security. The incumbent shall contribute to the preparation of the inputs for the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy, C4, the Programme and Budget, C5 and related work plans in the field of culture.

The incumbent also contributes to the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting on programmes and projects as well as resource mobilization activities undertaken by the Office in the framework of UNESCO’s global priorities, Africa and Gender Equality, and transversal thematic areas, such as Culture and Education, Culture and Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples, Small Island Developing States SIDS, and Youth.

Long Description

In particular, the incumbent shall:

• Work to enhance the advocacy and outreach on culture, including on the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of creative expressions, also focusing on the protection of culture professionals and recognizing them as vulnerable groups in conflict, post-conflict and emergency contexts.
• Analyze key UN decisions as relevant to culture and other priorities of the Organization. S/he will strengthen relations with the UN secretariat as well as the UN agencies, funds and programs, and identify venues for improved synergies and collaboration.
• Engage in targeted outreach and sensitization, emphasizing the critical importance of cultural considerations in the peace and security pillar, especially in conflict and post-conflict contexts, or emergency situations, to ensure the protection of cultural heritage and culture professionals, and the promotion of cultural diversity are integral to the international peace and security agenda.
• Support the coordination of UNESCO’s contribution as related to culture to the UN intergovernmental bodies such as UN General Assembly, HLPF, ECOSOC and its subsidiary commissions, preparing reports and recommending follow up actions on the contribution of culture on to sustainable development, peace and security and human rights.
• Provide technical support and assistance to intergovernmental processes related to culture, including those with a focus on emergency preparedness and response to protecting cultural heritage and professionals, and other partnerships initiatives in culture at the UNHQs.
• Organize High-level meetings and build partnerships with UN system, including other UN organizations, agencies, funds and programs, with Member States and civil society to promote UNESCO strategy in the field of culture.
• Advocate for the safety and security of culture professionals at UN forums, emphasizing their role and vulnerabilities in conflict and crisis situations, and promoting their inclusion in UN emergency response and recovery plans.
• Prepare or contribute to the preparations of reports, documents and communications, e.g. draft sections of analysis, guidelines, briefings, case studies, presentations and correspondence.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in cultural heritage preservation, law, economics or a related field such as international relations, sustainability, arts and culture management, environmental management. A focus on peace and security studies or related areas would be an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the field of international relations and culture or a related field, of which at least 2 years at international level.

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to collect, synthesize and communicate information and to write documents in a clear and precise manner.
• Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan; ability to work under tight deadlines as well as flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of partners and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
• Ability to work in a team and maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Proven experience in advancing partnerships with diverse partners, including representatives of Member States and UN organizations.

Languages

• Knowledge both oral and written of French is desirable.
• Knowledge of another/other official language(s) (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) of UNESCO.