Afghanistan: Project Officer

Background and context

UNESCO is the specialized agency of the United Nations with a mandate in education, science, culture, communication and access to information. It is one of the largest players for cultural programmes in Afghanistan and supports the government in its endeavor to preserve the country’s culture and promote nation building.

In this overall framework, UNESCO is currently undertaking a number of different cultural programmes, aimed at supporting the relevant Afghan authorities in their efforts to protect and promote Afghanistan culture in all its dimensions and its contribution to the social and economic development of the country.

On May 27^th 2016, the Ministry of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and UNESCO signed a partnership agreement to develop the culture and creative industries in Afghanistan through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

Recognizing the power of culture as a driver of social and economic development, this long-term initiative is established to support the National Program for Culture and Creative Economy (NPCE). The program prioritizes culture in the country’s policies and strategies to create jobs and improve livelihoods and exports. It seeks to harness cultural heritage and industries among Afghanistan’s core resources globally. It will focus on three priorities: (i) the safeguarding of cultural heritage, (ii) the development of a network of cultural centres across the country to foster heritage education and (iii) the promotion of creative industry for employability and job creation.

The NPCE closely adheres to the Government of Afghanistan’s National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) for 2017 – 2021, which states, in the chapter dedicated to Social Capital and Nation Building, that the country must use “its rich cultural heritage to build a national identity and sense of citizenship that rises above local enmities and perceived differences”. The NPCE covers eight thematic areas, which were prepared based on the TOR of the program and in close cooperation with the Afghan Government.

One of these relates to the ‘Safeguarding of the Culture Heritage of Afghanistan’, in line with UNESCO Culture Sector Main Line of Action 1, and it is a key component of this program.

As a key contribution to this Thematic Area, UNESCO is currently implementing two key programs aimed at ensuring proper conservation and management of heritage sites in Afghanistan, with a view to their integration in national development strategies. i.e. “The Afghanistan Heritage & Extractive Industries Development Initiative – Phase II” (AHEDI-II), aimed at providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Information & Culture (MoIC) and the Ministry of Mines & Petroleum (MoMP) in ensuring a proper integration of heritage protection into sustainable development programmes; and the ‘Preservation & Promotion of the Bamiyan Valley through Culture-Oriented Sustainable Development’ (PPBV) that will lead to enhance the capacity of the Government to protect and manage the archaeological remains and the cultural landscape of the Bamiyan Valley World Heritage property through an integrated approach that combines direct conservation actions along the main Buddha Cliff with the aim to achieve the desired State of Conservation defined by the World Heritage Committee.

UNESCO is looking for a committed Project Officer with specific experience in cultural/archaeological projects who will coordinate, manage and implement all the aspects of both the AHEDI-II and PPBV Projects, and ensure their alignment with the overall scope of NPCE relevant Thematic Area for the ‘Safeguarding of the Culture Heritage of Afghanistan’.

Overview of the functions of the PA

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Kabul Office, and the direct supervision of the Culture Programme Specialist, the PA staff shall manage the implementation of the activities under both projects and ensure their alignment with the thematic area related to the ‘Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage of Afghanistan’ (hereinafter TA n.5) which includes, but it is not limited to:

1. Oversee the management of planned activities and ensure strategic alignment with the related TA n.5, in constant coordination with the NPCE team, advisors and the UNESCO Culture team in Afghanistan, and in liaison with relevant services at HQs, such as the World Heritage Centre and secretariats of the relevant Conventions;

2. Plan and coordinate all activities relating to both projects according to the established work plans;

3. Supervise the establishment, management and monitoring of contracts and relationships with multiple implementing partners/consultants/contractors covering the range of expertise required to successfully implement the project’s activities and in respect of the rules and regulations of the Organization;

4. Liaise and facilitate consultation between the relevant government authorities in Kabul and in provinces, NGOs, private companies and local community stakeholders as required and necessary;

5. Advice the Afghan authorities on the safeguarding and management of cultural heritage in Afghanistan and on the implementation of the UNESCO’s cultural conventions;

6. Liaise with existing and potential donors to Afghan cultural heritage;

7. Organize stakeholder meetings and capacity-building workshops concerning heritage preservation, management and possible integration with development processes;

8. Organize events to enhance awareness raising and programme visibility both inside and outside Afghanistan;

9. Facilitate information sharing amongst stakeholders, representation of UNESCO with the government, the local community, NGOs and the donors in the course of the projects;

10. Undertake missions as necessary and requested for projects’ implementation.

Competencies

A successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Teamwork

Innovation

Results focus

Planning and organizing

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher in a heritage related field which may include conservation architecture, heritage management, archaeology, and anthropology.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in the heritage sector or related field.

• Familiarity with budgeting and coordinating built heritage projects, including archaeological preventive screening/surveys/conservation and management, development of estimates and coordination of field personnel.

Skills and competencies

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills;

• Excellent interpersonal skills;

• Strong writing skills;

• Leading and supervising skills

• Excellent project implementation skills;

• Ability to making sound decisions on all aspects of project implementation;

• Knowledge of UNESCO mission and strategies;

• Ability to manage a team, and to prioritize and take responsibility for follow-up on instructions and decisions taken and expected projects’ outcomes according to the projects’ documents;

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships (both within and outside the Organization);

• Good knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.).

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the English language ( both written and spoken)

Desirable qualifications

Work Experience

• Relevant experience in Afghanistan and/or working on a UNESCO Project in a similar context

• Relevant professional experience at the international level

• Previous experience in a conflict/post-conflict context;

Assessment

An assessment exercise may be used in the evaluation of candidates

How to apply

Interested candidates should complete the UNESCO CV with a covering letter in English explaining their interest in the position and forward it electronically to the following e-mail address: k.human-resource@unesco.org

Please indicate the position number 4AFCLT0009PA you are applying for. incomplete UNESCO CV will not be processed.

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that their application is submitted on or before 7 July 2019 (midnight, Kabul time).

Only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.

Benefits and entitlements

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. More details can be found on the ICSC Website.

Please note that UNESCO is a no-smoking Organization.

This position has been re-advertised: All the previous applications will also be considered.