Call for Consultants: Assessing the integration of culture and heritage in DRR

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Grade : Level 3 Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Harare Classification of duty station: \[\[filter12\]\] Standard Duration of Assignement: \[\[filter13\]\] Job Family: Culture Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 22 March 2023 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- The UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) seeks the services of a well-qualified and experienced consultant to conduct an assessment of the integration of culture and heritage in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in nine Southern African countries. Long Description ---------------- **Background and Context** Culture and heritage are increasingly affected by disasters and conflicts throughout the world, due to a variety of factors, including natural hazards, climate change and political instability, which often reinforce each other. Such crises have caused extensive damage to, if not the complete loss of, innumerable cultural and natural heritage sites, museums and cultural institutions, and have affected intangible cultural heritage practices and cultural expressions. The number and intensity of disasters are expected to rise due to the climatic changes being experienced on earth. With this in mind, culture and heritage-based risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies become of paramount importance. It is important for countries to be better prepared for emergencies and disasters with regards to the protection of their heritage, as well as be aware that culture can be a resource for resilience (e.g.: through traditional knowledge or practices, etc.). Unfortunately, many countries in Southern Africa are both unaware of the risks affecting their culture and heritage and unprepared to address them. Furthermore, the capacity to respond quickly is often lacking and this in turn results in lost opportunities to control and reduce the extent of the damage. The capacity of the culture and heritage sector regarding emergency preparedness and risk mitigation in most Southern African countries is generally not known and it is therefore critical to conduct an assessment to ascertain to what extent they are integrated in local and national strategies and mechanisms. This initiative seeks to assess the integration of culture and heritage in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation mechanisms (disaster risk assessments, strategies, plans, policies, laws, and frameworks) in nine Southern African countries covered by UNESCO ROSA (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The assessment will consider the current risks related to climate change, investigate the level of integration of culture and heritage in the Disaster Risk Management mechanisms as a key component to reduce disaster risk and contribute to climate change adaptation for each of these countries, and analyze any response mechanisms that are in place. It will provide key recommendations and policy directions to develop culture and heritage-based risk reduction, mitigation, and adaptation strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change on local communities’ livelihoods, cultural practices, and tangible heritage in the countries covered. The UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) seeks the services of a well-qualified and experienced consultant to conduct the assessment. Long Description ---------------- **Assignment** Within the framework of the above context and under the overall authority of the Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO Southern Africa and the direct supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit, the consultant shall: 1\) Conduct an assessment of the integration of culture and heritage in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in nine Southern African countries. The objectives of the assessment are to: a) analyze the extent to which culture and heritage are integrated in National Disaster Risk Strategies and/or Emergency Preparedness Plans in nine Southern African countries. The analysis should identify any gaps; compare and contrast the situation among the nine countries; and provide recommendations to develop culture and heritage-based risk reduction, mitigation, and adaptation strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change. b) map out and analyze: i) key cultural and heritage institutions and Disaster Risk Management agencies or institutions in each of the nine countries. These should include, among others, National Heritage Councils, National Arts Councils, National Disaster Risk Management Agencies and Ministries responsible for culture, heritage, and disaster risk management. ii) key cultural and heritage assets that are susceptible to climate change-induced disasters and the specific vulnerabilities associated to them in each of the nine countries. iii) climate change-induced risks affecting culture and heritage in each of the nine countries, including natural and man-made hazards. The findings of the assessment, including recommendation to develop culture and heritage-based risk reduction, mitigation, and adaptation strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change, will be presented during an online stakeholders’ meeting to be organized by UNESCO. 2\) Revise and finalize the report taking into account inputs and feedback from the online stakeholders’ meeting and submit the final report to UNESCO. Long Description ---------------- **Deliverables** The consultant shall submit the following: 1\. Technical and Financial Proposal clearly outlining how the assessment will be conducted and the associated financial costs. 2\. Work plan 3\. Comprehensive Assessment Report that should contain the following among other things: a) Executive Summary. b) Methodology. c) Findings of the assessment. d) Recommendations and policy directions to enhance the integration of culture and heritage in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies in the nine Southern African countries. e) Annex: Key cultural and heritage institutions and Disaster Risk Management agencies or institutions and their contact details. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- • A Master’s Degree in Disaster Risk Reduction, Culture and Heritage Management, Monitoring and Evaluation or any other related field. • At least 5 years’ working experience in disaster risk reduction, monitoring and evaluation or cultural heritage management. • Proven experience of conducting assessments and evaluations in the past. • Excellent English (both written and oral). • Excellent research and writing skills. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- • UN work experience. • Knowledge of Portuguese **BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS** ----------------------------- Remuneration will be negotiated based on the Financial and Technical proposal of the selected candidate. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Interested qualified and suitable candidates should apply online using the UNESCO Careers page. They should send the following to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]: • Technical and financial proposal (max 4 pages) describing how they intend to undertake the assignment and the associated costs. • Detailed CV • Samples of previous work done (max 2 samples). • Brief Workplan and Timeline. 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. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members 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. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.