Cultural Policies & Development Consultant

Under the UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies Agreement, UNESCO is implementing a project that aims to strengthen the educational functions of cultural institutions, foster cooperation between cultural institutions, schools and communities, and expand professional opportunities in the cultural sector, in line with the spirit and provisions of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education. Since early 2023, activities are being carried out in two pilot countries—Tanzania and Argentina — with the involvement of relevant stakeholders, including governmental authorities, cultural and educational institutions, and the civil society for resilient and inclusive sustainable development of communities, particularly for those that are the most vulnerable.

In this context, and under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, and overall supervision of Director for Cultural Policies and Development (CPD), and direct supervision of Programme Coordinator, and in close cooperation with the UNESCO Offices in Dar es Salaam and Montevideo, the Individual Consultant will work to ensure the effective coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all project activities under the UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies Agreement, including the technical assistance and capacity-building components, communication and visibility actions, and final evaluation.

Concretely, the individual consultant shall:

• Coordinate the effective and timely implementation of all project activities, with a particular emphasis on preparing and executing capacity-development interventions for formulating pedagogies, materials, and other educational activities in cultural institutions in Tanzania and Argentina. Build and maintain close collaboration with pilot country beneficiaries, cultural entities, educational organizations, and partner stakeholders to ensure seamless operation. Maintain strategic dialogue to ensure that project objectives remain responsive to local priorities and evolving requirements.
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement and advocacy by fostering ongoing communication and partnership with the donor, Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, as well as with pilot countries and their beneficiaries. Concurrently, engage country-based Expert Groups and international advisory experts to reinforce the project’s technical rigor and alignment with the abovementioned Framework.
• Expand communication and visibility efforts to enhance the project’s profile and outreach on both national and global platforms, while equally driving advocacy efforts that spotlight on the importance of integrating cultural and educational institutions, emphasizing their collective contribution to inclusive education, cultural appreciation, and sustainable development. In this context, act on identified opportunities to disseminate key achievements, demonstrating progress and successes to diverse audiences. Adapt and implement the communication plan established with the donor, ensuring cohesive branding and messaging.
• Implement a robust monitoring, reporting, and evaluation framework that upholds transparency and drives accountability throughout the project lifecycle, including through organizing roundtable meetings in Tanzania and Argentina to highlight key outcomes and lessons learned, reinforcing the significance of cultural-educational cooperation; also, to this end, coordinate with UNESCO Field Offices and relevant UNESCO central services to secure punctual reporting, while maintaining financial and administrative oversight.
• Act as focal point for the external evaluation by providing essential documentation. Complete final reporting and closure processes to meet donor and UNESCO requirements; adhere strictly to established deadlines and reporting standards, ensuring compliance and accountability, and meanwhile strive for a minimum 99% budget execution rate in the technical assistance component, effectively demonstrating resource efficiency and positive outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in cultural policy, arts history, cultural management, international development, project management, or related fields.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in project coordination, preferably in the culture and/or education sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in working with international organizations, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and donor-funded projects.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage financial and administrative aspects of projects.
• Excellent knowledge of English or French, and good knowledge of Spanish

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Paris-Consultant-(Cultural-Policies-&-Development)/812896902/