Consultant For Regional Studies Western Europe and North America (Culture)

Consultant

Overview

Conduct a comprehensive study on illicit trafficking of cultural property in Western Europe and North America.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in social sciences, museology, political sciences, law, public administration, or other related areas is required; a PhD is an asset.
• A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience in the field of fighting illicit trafficking of cultural property or museums.
• Fluency in English or French is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Knowledge of the UNESCO culture conventions and recommendation.
• Excellent knowledge of UNESCO’s 1970 Convention and the 2015 Recommendation concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT) Duty Station: Paris 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) : 08-MAR-2021 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- ***Background*** Within the framework of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property and for the implementation of the UNESCO 2015 Recommendation Concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society, UNESCO is launching 6 regional studies (Africa; Arab region; Asia-Pacific; Western Europe and North America; Eastern Europe; Latin America and Caribbean) designed to gather information on the status of illicit traffic of cultural property and on museums in each region. ***Work assignment*** Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Movable Heritage and Museums Unit of UNESCO, and in close cooperation with the relevant Programme Specialists, the consultant will draft the study related to the region of Western Europe and North America. More specifically, the consultant shall conduct a study that aims to: Provide up-to-date information, statistics and insights about the status, mechanisms, priorities and challenges of the region regarding illicit trafficking of cultural property, the needs regarding capacity development as well as recent developments in museums in order to serve as a more effective baseline for future policy-making, strategy-planning, and programme implementation. Long Description ---------------- Based on the above, the consultant shall further provide presentations for important upcoming events in 2021, namely 1) the international conference of the 1970 Convention in September 2021, and 2) the Second High-Level Forum for museums entitled “Facing post-pandemic challenges through innovation and inclusiveness”, planned for 21-23 September 2021. Both events will take place online. ***Structure and Content of the Study*** Focusing on the region of Western Europe and North America, the study shall address the following contents, with emphasis on the specificities of the region: ***I. Regarding the 1970 Convention:*** 1\. **Comprehensive overview** of the general status of the region, including but not limited to: number of countries, number of ratifications, ratification rate, research published, etc. 2\. **Up-to-date analysis**, comprising relevant and recent data of new developments in and current status of the region, including but not limited to: a) Status of legislation, regulations, policies, bilateral and multilateral cooperation; b) Administrative structure for implementation of the 1970 Convention and the 2015 Museums Recommendation: competent authorities and law enforcement agencies, domestic cooperation mechanisms, etc.; c) Scale, statistics and cases of illicit trafficking; recent judicial verdicts; status of art market and antiquity trade; self-discipline and development of ethics for auction houses and dealers; d) Main activities and practices with regard to combating illicit trafficking of cultural property, including in museums and cultural institutions, developing inventories, digitization, database and other technologies; the role of new technologies in the development of but also in fighting against illicit trafficking; research of object origins and provenances; strengthening of professional ethics; awareness-raising, educational and capacity-building activities (such as exhibitions, campaigns); Long Description ---------------- e) Cases and good practices of return and restitution of cultural property; f) Cases and good practices of regional and international cooperation. 3\. **Evaluation of the regional challenges** regarding to implementation of the 1970 Convention and the 2015 Recommendation. Regional priorities and challenges should include but not be limited to: ratification rates, active illicit trade of antiquities, supervision of the art market, clandestine excavation and lootings, risks linked to natural disaster and/or conflicts, etc. 4\. **Insights** into the mechanisms of illicit trafficking and the modus operandi of the traffickers in order to identify priority areas and capacity-development needs, and to effectively align efforts for fight against illicit trafficking in the region. 5\. **Advice** on capacity-development and efficient ways to promote ratification, strengthen regional cooperation, visibility of the Convention, raise awareness, and promote professional ethics, etc. ***II. Regarding the 2015 Recommendation of Museums and Collections:*** 1\. **An overview of major museum developments**, openings, and flagship projects in the region of Western Europe and North America since 2016, and identification of key challenges museums and collections face. 2\. **A general analysis of the situation and response measures of museums to the Covid-19** pandemic in the region, especially since the second wave of the pandemic in 2020. Long Description ---------------- 3\. **Identification of key good practices** in the region regarding the social, educational and cultural role of museums, i.e. enhancing social inclusion and resilience (gender, indigenous, migration, race issues, etc.), international/South-South/North-South cooperation, promoting education and youth development, raising awareness of climate change, application of new technologies, preparedness of/ facing damages due to natural and human disasters and emergencies, supporting urban/rural development and revitalization, promoting creativity and creative industry, improving health and well-being, and any other issue that the contractor will deem relevant. ***Note regarding I. and II.**:* Given the diversity of the region, the study is expected to reflect all sub-regions of Western Europe, in particular the European Union Member States, and North America when conducting case studies as well as targeted interviews with stakeholders from different backgrounds: legal, political, law enforcement, museums experts, archaeologists, etc. (the consultant shall determine which stakeholders to contact and interview in the context of the study, in consultation with UNESCO). ***III. Participation in Meetings and Conferences:*** 1\. Participate in online working meetings with other regional experts; present outcomes of the regional study and regional conference to the other experts and produce together with the other experts a joint draft document addressing the common features as well as regional specificities. 2\. Contribute, based on their research, to the online International Conference on combatting illicit trafficking of cultural property, the High-Level Forum on Museums and the UNESCO CAMPUS for youth , in September 2021 The exact dates for participation in online meetings will be communicated to the consultant by UNESCO at the earliest convenience. ***Deliverables and timeline*** - A first draft of the document shall be submitted no later than **23 April 2021**. - The final complete study (40-50 pages) shall be submitted no later than **1 June 2021**. - Participation in online working meetings with the other regional experts: **Dates tbc.** - Participation in International Online Conference on combatting illicit trafficking of cultural property: September 2021. - Participation in High-Level Forum on Museums and UNESCO CAMPUS for youth: September 2021. ***Work Location and travel (if any)*** Home based **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (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 higher) in social sciences, museology, political sciences, law, public administration, or other related areas is required; a PhD is an asset. - In lieu of a post-graduate degree, 8 years of practical experience working in the field of fighting illicit trafficking of cultural property or museums may be considered in addition to a Bachelor’s degree. ***Experience:*** - A minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience in the field of fighting illicit trafficking of cultural property or museums. - Relevant experience at the national level in a government ministry or at the international level (UN or international organization) would be an asset. - Knowledge of the UNESCO culture conventions and recommendation. - Familiarity with the work of and appropriate network in relevant organizations in the field of fighting the illicit trafficking of cultural property, including ICOM, ICCROM, INTERPOL, UNIDROIT and World Customs Organization. - Working experience in both developed and developing countries would be an asset. ***Skills and competencies:*** - Excellent knowledge of UNESCO’s 1970 Convention and the 2015 Recommendation concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections; - Excellent analytical and communication skills; - Proven ability to draft reports and conduct research; - Ability to engage in substantive technical discussion with all stakeholders; - Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence, and reports information; - Ability to work independently and with tight deadlines. ***Languages:*** - Fluency in English or French is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset. **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- ***Candidates are requested to provide the following documents (IN A SINGLE FILE DOCUMENT) as part of their expression of interest:*** - Motivational letter/message - CV - Proposal for a focused table of contents - List of peer-reviewed publications/articles - Excerpt of an article published by the candidate related to the issues of the study - Estimate of working time for the elaboration of the study (points I. and II.) **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 applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) 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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.unesco.org