OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

This contract is established in the framework of the “Dive into Heritage” project within the overall Programme on Culture and Digital Technologies implemented by UNESCO and funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dive into Heritage aims to create an accessible online platform where cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage sites and their related intangible cultural heritage can be explored through digital technologies. Phase I of the project focused on digitising 10 pilot World Heritage sites in the Arab States region, for which engaging digital narratives and a methodology for creating digital storyboards have already been developed. Building on this, UNESCO is digitising six additional World Heritage sites. Narratives for these sites also need to be drafted and presented on the platform.

The platform includes a user-friendly, interactive interface to guide users through digital narratives and storytelling to enhance public engagement, educational exploration, and heritage appreciation. Interactive maps, geolocated narratives, 3D models, and 360° panoramas enable users to better understand and interpret World Heritage and their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

3 months

Work assignment

With a view to contributing to enhancing digital narratives of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Arab States region, and under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, the overall supervision of the Director of the World Heritage Centre, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager of Dive into Heritage, the Consultant, an expert in Digital Storytelling, shall:

• Create engaging and interactive digital storytelling narratives for 6 Pilot World Heritage sites in the Arab States region, showcasing their OUV and their related Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Produce concise and digestible explanatory texts aimed at a broad target audience for each Pilot site, indicating historical facts, describing the site’s key attributes and values and in particular its OUV.
• Create visual storyboards for each Pilot site, detailing the proposed narrative flow using digital media such as but not limited to: 3D models, aerial photography, interactive maps (GIS), illustrations, animations, (360°) photos, videos and audio.
• Each narrative should focus on 2–3 thematic stories linked to the site’s OUV, ensuring cohesive and engaging storytelling, targeting between 30 – 50 scrolling actions per narrative.

• Maintain a list of key attributes that convey the OUV of each Pilot site and propose which type of digital media is most suitable for highlighting these attributes, in close cooperation with UNESCO, the web development partners and the National Focal Point for World Heritage and/or Site Manager of each site.
• Using the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements related to World Heritage sites, prepared by UNESCO, propose which type of digital media is most suitable to highlight synergies between intangible and tangible heritage at each Pilot site.
• Deliver the visual storyboards for each Pilot site in both PDF format and an online collaborative platform, preferably Figma, to ensure seamless integration with the web development team. The storyboards should clearly illustrate the narrative flow and intended use of digital media, facilitating iterative feedback and alignment with UNESCO, development partners, and site managers.

• Attend periodical coordination meetings with UNESCO and its partners to agree on the best approach for each site and discuss progress in creating their digital narratives.
• Utilise, adapt and update where necessary the methodology on creating digital storytelling narratives for UNESCO World Heritage sites and their related Intangible Cultural Heritage, previously developed in the framework of the project, focusing in particular on how to highlight the sites’ OUV and how to best leverage digital technologies, which can be used by UNESCO as guidelines to create immersive experiences for future additions to the Dive into Heritage platform.
• Prepare a Final Report (in English of no more than 20 pages) that summarises the work implemented for the creation of the digital storytelling experiences for all 6 Pilot World Heritage sites and the proposed World Heritage digital storytelling methodology guidelines.

All digital media and datasets will be provided by UNESCO unless stated otherwise. The consultant is not required to develop new media assets but should focus on leveraging the materials and methodologies already established for the Dive into Heritage platform. While the contractor may propose additional media assets, the inclusion of third-party content hosted on external platforms (e.g., YouTube, Sketchfab) should be limited to avoid long-term compatibility issues. Exceptions are made for Open-Source downloadable data and licensed content available on Shutterstock, for which UNESCO holds an account. Any proposed third-party media must be reviewed and approved by UNESCO to ensure sustainability and accessibility over time.

The digital documentation process for these sites is still ongoing. While UNESCO will provide digital data as it becomes available, the contractor is expected to proceed with developing storyboards regardless of direct access to (3D) datasets. To facilitate this process, UNESCO will inform the contractor in advance about which site components will have 3D models, enabling early planning and structuring of narratives. Flexibility will be required in prioritizing sites, as data availability may vary during the project timeline.

The six sites included in this project are:

1. Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (Morocco)
2. Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (Saudi Arabia)
3. Dilmun Burial Mounds (Bahrain)
4. Timgad (Algeria)
5. Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata (Mauritania)
6. Babylon (Iraq)

The methodology and processes to be followed are outlined in the “Digital Storytelling Methodology” report prepared in the framework of the project and will be shared with the selected consultant.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

1. Submission by 21 March 2025 of a digital narrative storyboard and text for 1 World Heritage site agreed upon by both parties.
2. Submission by 2 May 2025 of digital narrative storyboards and texts for 3 additional World Heritage sites agreed upon by both parties.
3. Submission by 30 May 2025 of the remaining 2 digital narrative storyboards and texts, an updated Digital Storytelling methodology and a Final Report.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in cultural heritage, digital humanities, media studies, communications, design, or a related field.
• Proven expertise in creative and visual storytelling, with a strong emphasis on cultural heritage.
• Experience in drafting digital narratives using storytelling techniques and related (web) technologies.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of UNESCO World Heritage sites, particularly their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and related Intangible Cultural Heritage elements.
• Familiarity with digital media production, including 3D models, interactive maps, high-resolution video, and audio.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in user-centered design and audience engagement strategies.
• Previous experience with heritage in the Arab States region

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Technical proficiency in software and tools for creating digital media and storyboards (e.g. Figma, Plot, Adobe Illustrator).
• Knowledge of intellectual property rights concerning media assets in digital storytelling.
• Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic would be an asset.