Mission and objectivesUNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Natural and Social and Human Sciences, Culture and Communication and Information. Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. In this spirit, UNESCO develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance. UNESCO works so that each child and citizen has access to quality education. By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens bonds among nations. UNESCO fosters scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression, as a fundamental right and a key condition for democracy and development. Serving as a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and knowledge sharing. UNESCO's founding vision was born in response to a world war that was marked by racist and anti-Semitic violence. Seventy years on and many liberation struggles later, UNESCOโs mandate is as relevant as ever. Cultural diversity is under attack and new forms of intolerance, rejection of scientific facts and threats to freedom of expression challenge peace and human rights. In response, UNESCO's duty remains to reaffirm the humanist missions of education, science and culture.
ContextFor over 40 years, the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States has been committed to setting standards, producing tools and developing knowledge to create solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time, and foster a world of greater equality, sustainable development and peace. Protecting biodiversity, responding to artificial intelligence, advancing quality education, safeguarding heritage, and ensuring access to reliable information are some examples of the work that UNESCO does with its 17 Member States across the Pacific region. In particular, the UNESCO Culture Sector aims to promote diverse cultural expressions and the creative economy and safeguard cultural and natural heritage in response to the global challenges addressed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as conflicts, disasters and emergencies, by implementing the six UNESCO Culture Conventions and the recommendations associated with them, and supporting Member States in translating their provisions into national policies and strategies. This UNV assignment is part of UNESCOโs Capacity building for safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in emergencies in Small Island Developing States in the Pacific and the Caribbean project, which addresses the severe threats from natural disasters to the transmission and viability of ICH in three Small Island Developing States in the Pacific. It aims to integrate ICH safeguarding into disaster risk reduction strategies, helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies through capacity-building approaches. The assignment also aims to promote a coordinated approach to heritage in the Pacific, including by supporting the organization of the first transversal Regional Workshop on Pacific Heritage, facilitating n regional exchanges and exploring intersections among the UNESCO Culture Conventions across all heritage domains to assist and accompany Pacific Islands in the protection, safeguarding and promotion of their cultural and natural heritage.
Task DescriptionUnder the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States and the direct supervision of the Culture Programme Specialist, the UN Volunteer Pacific Heritage Coordination Assistant will: โข Support the coordination and project management of the UNESCO Project โCapacity building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies in Small Island Developing States in the Pacificโ. Tasks will include the preparation of project documents, support to contractual and administrative processes, coordination of capacity building and communication activities, technical backstopping to implementing partners as needed and effective monitoring and reporting of the project, in coordination with the UNESCO Office in Kingston and the Living Heritage Entity at UNESCO HQ. โข Contribute to the organisation of a regional workshop on Pacific Heritage with a view to strengthen synergies between intangible and tangible heritage in DRR and disseminating the findings of the project, including by assisting in the planning and coordination of the event, the development of the programme, the preparation of workshop documents and related material, supporting logistical coordination, liaising with relevant partners/government departments/UN Organizations and drafting minutes and summaries as required; โข Assist in the implementation and monitoring of programme activities in the field of World heritage and intangible cultural heritage and support communication efforts to disseminate the results of the above-mentioned programmes and projects related to heritage, including through the preparation of press-releases and content for the web and social media; โข Perform any other duties as requested by the Supervisor that may be required to ensure the success of the work team.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNESCO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant to UNESCO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with stakeholders and partners; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNESCO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. โข Respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues. โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNESCOโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe post is located in the Apia duty station of UNESCO. The Independent State of Samoa is an island nation in the South Pacific comprising of two main islands (Upolu and Savii) and four smaller islands. The capital of Samoa is Apia situated in Upolu. Samoa is situated east of Australia and Fiji and north of New Zealand. The population of Samoa was estimated at 222,382as per 2022 census. The majority of people (92%) are of Samoan ethnicity. The population is also made up of Euronesians (7%), Europeans (0.4%) and Asians (0.1%). English and Samoan are the two most spoken languages The unit currency is Tala. Living conditions are those of a developing country. The dress code is business casual to formal, depending on the level of formality of meetings, events, etc. The UN Multi-Country Office in Samoa is in an area where there are adequate accommodation options, availability of food/water/electricity, medical facilities, banking facilities, communications infrastructure, and proximity to the international airport. The environment also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.