Junior Project Officer Creative Caribbean

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

1. UNESCO as United Nations lead agency mandated by the international community to assist its member states in the development of their creative industries. In this regard, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is a key instrument which has been ratified by the majority of governments in the Caribbean. It establishes their right to adopt policies and measures to support the emergence of dynamic and strong cultural and creative industries. It provides a plan of action that ensures artists, cultural professionals and creative practitioners, as well as all citizens, have the capacity to create, produce, disseminate and enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities, including their own. The 2005 Convention is a tool to reinforce organizational structures that have a direct impact on the different stages of the cultural value chain including creation, production, dissemination, distribution and enjoyment of cultural goods, services and activities. This model determines if, when, where and how to intervene in an industry to strengthen it, to ensure its sustainability, and to inform future policy making.

2. UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education aims to support harnessing culture in education by expanding learning outcomes, capacities and skills for all through the broad spectrum of opportunities provided by culture, from heritage to cultural and creative industries in formal and non-formal education, including lifelong learning, encompassing the digital technologies. The Framework captures a broadened understanding of culture while taking into consideration the fast-evolving landscape of the cultural sector, including digital transformation. It aims to ensure the integration of effective Culture and Arts Education in relevant culture and education policies, strategies, curricula, and programmes, including with regard to regulation, teacher qualifications, extracurricular programmes, non-formal education, lifelong learning and talent development.

3. The UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, the CARICOM Secretariat and The University of the West Indies are implementing the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of “Play” for Growth and Development’ (hereafter called ‘Creative Caribbean’ Project) supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) programme “Towards a Viable Cultural Indus-try: Supporting the Cultural and Creative Sectors in the ACP countries” with the financial contribution of the European Union and the support of the Organisation of ACP States".

The ‘Creative Caribbean’ Project aims to foster economic, human and social development of the Caribbean region by stimulating inclusive, diversified and sustainable growth of the cultural economy through (1) creation of jobs for women, men and youth within a decent work framework; (2) creation, production and distribution of cultural and creative goods and services; (3) improved market access; and (4) support of regional and national policies and measures.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Culture at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support Programme Specialist for Culture in following up to the decisions of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, particularly to foster the development of sustainable cultural and creative sectors to support the creative economy in the Caribbean through the effective implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention and the UNESCO 1980 Recommendation; • Contribute to implementation of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education and support the follow-up to the decisions of the 2024 World Conference on Culture and Arts Education; • Support the ‘Creative Caribbean’ Project Coordinator in the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and documentation of the ‘Creative Carib-bean’ Project;
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting, in line with established outputs, outcomes and indicators of the ‘Creative Caribbean’ Project; • Support preparation of reports on the Creative Caribbean Project activities for UNESCO, the donor and other relevant partners; • Contribute to visibility and creation of thematic networks and exchanges for the sustainability of the ‘Creative Caribbean’ Project, dissemination and mainstreaming of good practice with an aim to transfer lessons learned and impact on national policies and business opportunities.

Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment and Motivation Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Working in Teams

/ or demonstrated interest in: •cultural and creative sectors, heritage or tourism is desirable.

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

The incumbent will be based at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean in Kingston, Jamaica. Kingston is designated a Hardship Category “A” duty station. No special precautions or conditions apply to staff members located to this duty station.

Jamaica is a Caribbean country with a total population of approximately 2.9 million inhabitants and Kingston is its capital city. Living conditions are relatively good depending on the location. There is a good supply of water and electricity supply island-wide. Housing conditions are of varying quality depending on the area. Travelers to Jamaica are advised to take normal security precautions required in larger cities and will receive a security briefing upon arrival to note areas to avoid.

Jamaica has a rich and diverse culture blended from around the world. The official language of Jamaica is English; however, one is most likely to hear the local dialect, Patois (Jamaican Creole). There are a number of international franchises and established local companies that will find the right accommodation for expatriates. Colleagues in the international community are also a good reference point for housing and other related services Jamaica has over 16 public and 6 private hospitals located around the island. Jamaica offers excellent food and dining options from casual dining experiences to fine restaurants.

Banks and ATMs are available to meet financial needs. The currency used is the Jamaican Dollar (JMD) and the rate of exchange with the United States Dollar is USD1.00: JMD 134.04 (the rate fluctuates daily). Credit cards and traveler’s cheques are widely accepted. The USD is a legal tender and several businesses will accept payment at the prevailing rate of exchange. The USD can be changed at local commercial banks and Cambios. Hotels and Restaurants accept payments via USD and Master and Visa cards.

Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island, facing a natural harbour. This is where UN agencies are based and where the UN Volunteer will be working from. Jamaica has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet-and-dry climate, that borders on a hot-semi arid climate, characterized by a wet season from May to November, which coincides with the hurricane season, and a dry season from December to April. During the dry season, there is not much rainfall, however, cold and stationary fronts occur at this time and often bring heavy showers, especially in March. Kingston is in a coastal location, hence it comes under the influence of the sea, though dense urban development can negate this effect. In the 21st century, Kingston has experienced temperatures as high as 38.8 °C (102 °F) and as low as 13.4 °C (56 °F). Kingston plays a central role in Jamaica’s economy.

Living conditions:

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance.

Travel to duty station will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and exit allowance for satisfactory service.

Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), Expertise differential, Entry / Exit lump sums, among others, are available at: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at: https://explore.unv.org/cos.