Consultant - Digital transformation for Culture (Home-based)

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT) 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) : 01-MAY-2023 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- Since the outbreak of the war on 24 February 2022, cultural heritage in Ukraine has been under threat of damage, theft, looting and destruction. As of 12 April 2023, UNESCO has verified damage to 251 cultural sites, including 108 religious sites, 21 museums, 90 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments and 12 libraries, and 1 archive. Numerous elements of movable heritage and collections have been damaged or moved to safer locations. The war has highlighted the lack of a complete and centralized national inventory of cultural heritage in Ukraine to register built heritage, museums and inventory their collections, archival and library holdings, accounting documents, blueprints, photos, and 3D-scanning of buildings and cultural objects. In addition, the existing inventories do not follow the same standards. Several emergency response projects are assisting museums to draw-up digital emergency inventories, using different software and adhering to different standards. In addition, immovable cultural properties have not been mapped with Geographic Information System (GIS) georeferencing so far. Inventories and documentation are an essential basis for the responsible authorities to combat theft, illicit trafficking, and the circulation of fakes, and to protect, safeguard and prepare for the restoration of cultural heritage. The lack of inventories is a major impediment to the development of safety and emergency preparedness plans and the prioritization and planning of recovery actions. Long Description ---------------- Under the overall of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Director of the Culture and Emergencies Entity, the direct supervision of the UNESCO Kyiv Liaison Desk, in close coordination with the World Heritage Entity's Europe and North America Unit, the consultant shall contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to assist and support the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine (MoCIP) in the digital transformation of the country’s Cultural Heritage Management System (CHMS). In this respect, an integral part of the consultant’s work would focus on aligning the digitalization of this system to relevant international standards in the area of digital heritage, to ensure its proper integration and interoperability with international databases and to serve as an essential tool for recovery and reconstruction. The incumbent shall also provide advice on the development of an integrated platform for movable and immovable heritage management in Ukraine, including the identification of the human and financial resources needed to develop and maintain the platform as well as a roadmap for implementing pilot projects for digitisation of movable and immovable heritage data for integration into the platform both a state, oblast and hromada-level. The incumbent will work directly with the MoCIP teams who will ensure access to relevant information and contacts. The incumbent shall abide to the level of confidentiality of the collected data, according to the recommendations that MoCIP will issue in this regard. As applicable, the consultant shall work in tandem with a National Expert to produce consolidated reports, and provide technical assistance to the CHMS core team, once established. Long Description ---------------- **Description of duties** To this end, the consultant shall perform the following, but not limited to, tasks in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, the MoCIP, cultural heritage sites focal points: - Map relevant ongoing and planned activities of international and national partners in support of MoCIP on Ukraine’s digital transformation. - Identify the main challenges related to the digital transformation of Ukraine’s heritage protection in light of existing European and international approaches and good practices for documentation, storage and access. - Liaise with a National Expert to analyse and identify the needs, challenges, and gaps for digital transformation in MoCIP, museums and heritage institutions, as regards capacities, infrastructure, and equipment. - Based on the mapping and analysis, and in close consultation with MoCIP and UNESCO, formulate recommendations in view of the development of the Cultural Heritage Management System, to translate the MoCIP vision on digital transformation into a unified coherent national standard and a system for digitization in alignment with international standards. Long Description ---------------- - Liaise with the MoCIP's partner developing/upgrading software for immovable and movable heritage registers (Register of Immovable Historical Monuments and State Museum Fund) to ensure relevant international standards that can be applied, as well as interoperability with other government relevant databases (i.e. Ministries of infrastructures, Housing, etc.). - Identify or confirm the requirements as regards server and hardware needed for the introduction of the Cultural Heritage Management System for the MoCIP and Ukrainian cultural institutions. - Assist the MoCIP in developing guidelines on digitisation for heritage institutions and museums according to international standards and for proper integration into the CHMS. - Design a capacity-building of the CHMS core team and institutions and professionals in charge of immovable and movable heritage. - Conduct a 2-weeks mission to Kyiv (covered by UNESCO), Ukraine, to assist and participate in UNESCO’s consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders and local authorities and keep an open communication channel with relevant offices (depending on the context and the possibilities); UNESCO Liaison Desk in Kyiv, the MoCIP of Ukraine, as well as other key interlocutors and/or Ukrainian potential partners. **Deliverables:** *All deliverables will need to be delivered in English and validated by UNESCO.* 1. A mapping of ongoing initiatives of international and national partners in support of MoCIP on Ukraine’s digital transformation, integrating the information provided by the National Expert. 2. A consolidated report outlining existing European and international approaches and good practices for documentation, storage, and access with recommendations for most suitable options for Ukraine, and identifying the main challenges related to the digital transformation of Ukraine’s heritage protection as well as equipment needs and gaps for digital transformation at the MoCIP, museums, and heritage institutions levels, including in terms of capacities, infrastructure, and equipment (5-6 pages). 3. Guidelines on digitisation for heritage institutions and museums according to international standards, and recommendations on further actions to ensure compatibility at the national level and with international standards (10-15 pages). 4. A capacity-building programme for the CHMS core team and local professionals through the co-development of practical tools for digital heritage management and training workshops. **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** --------------------------- ***Education*** - Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of culture, international law, humanities, social sciences, international relations, public administration, and management, or any other related fields. ***Work Experience*** - At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in culture, management, digital planning and development, international relations, or related fields and preferably at the international level. - Experience in working with institutions, government ministries, and development partners. - Experience with the policies, standards, and approaches for heritage documentation and management, of digital transformation, according to EU standards and procedures. - Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the UN system and environment is desirable. - Relevant professional research experience acquired at the international level (within the UN would be desirable), including in drafting extensive and high-quality reports and research. ***Skills and competencies*** - Knowledge of national and international cultural priorities and the UN system's work in Ukraine. - Familiarity with UNESCO's mandate, structure, and programme as regards Ukraine. - Knowledge of other international/regional mechanisms and networks in the areas related to Ukraine’s cultural response. - Excellent analytical skills in the field of culture management, heritage preservation, inventorying, digitization, and/or international law, with the ability to collect, synthesize and analyze information from various sources. - Ability to anticipate and identify needs, challenges, priorities, and risks, and formulate recommendations and strategic solutions. - Ability to provide high-level advice and technical support in public policy, planning, and research. - Ability to produce reports, draft guidelines, and complex research papers on digitization for heritage institutions in a clear and concise way for external use. - Ability to plan trainings, workshops and capacity-building programs through co-developing practical tools for digital heritage management, tailored to the context, within the field of culture. - Good knowledge of programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation. - Ability to analyze complex issues or develops new methods and/or approaches, which require identification and the in-depth examination of technical factors. - Ability to provide solutions to technical problems or formulates policy proposals. - Familiarity with IT, platform development, and system infrastructure. - Ability to think strategically and to design long-term plans in line with strategic priorities. - Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including interacting with various actors and working effectively and respectfully in a multicultural environment. - Excellent written and oral communication skills including excellent writing skills. - Demonstrated capacity to work under tight deadlines. ***Languages*** - Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English. - Knowledge of Ukrainian would be an asset. **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- All applications should be submitted in English. Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the following documents in their applications: - A cover letter including a technical proposal indicating the approach/methodology to carry out the assignment, including availability to meet expected results or a proposed workplan with timeframe. - A financial proposal. - An updated CV Note: to complete the online application please attach in the “employment history form” upload option just one (1) pdf file with all the required documents and information. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- 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.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) 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 a competency-based 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. **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.