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Communication Consultant (Documentary Heritage Unit)
Unesco
Paris, France
Posted on May 20, 2026
JOB DETAILS
Type of contract : Consultant Contract
Level : Level 1 - Junior
Hiring Unit : Communication and Information Sector (CI)
Duty Station : Paris
Work location : Remote
Duration of contract : 8 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 10/06/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW
The Communication and Information Sector’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage. (The role of this vacant position does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)
The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme was set up in 1992 in order to preserve documentary heritage, in addition to promoting its identification and accessibility by the public. Its Secretariat is based in the Documentary Heritage Unit (DHE), set up in 2020 to manage the MoW Programme. The Unit is located in the Division for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Transformation in the Communication and Information Sector.
The MoW Programme is currently implementing various extrabudgetary projects such as the JFIT-MEXT projects “Consolidating the Gains in Policy Development and Capacity Building for the Preservation and Accessibility of Documentary Heritage” and “UNESCO Memory of the World Initiative to Safeguard Documentary Heritage at Risk”; the Royal Commission of AlUla project “Preservation and Awareness-raising of Documentary Heritage in AlUla and Saudi Arabia”; the UNESCO/Jikji Prize and the Khalili Foundation project “Enhancing Universal Access to Documentary Heritage as a Public Good”.
Within this background, the MoW Programme seeks a Consultant to enhance communication, visibility and outreach efforts of its projects in a coherent manner. This role will help ensure that the projects are effectively showcased, engaging target audiences and demonstrating their contribution to policy advocacy, capacity development, research, education, and intercultural understanding, thereby maximizing the reach and impact of UNESCO’s MoW Programme.
ASSIGNMENTS
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, and the direct supervision of the Head of the Unit for Documentary Heritage, the consultant shall, in close cooperation and collaboration with the Documentary Heritage Unit and the Associate Programme Specialist, shall provide support to enhance the visibility of the Unit’s work in promoting documentary heritage. The Consultant will develop promotional and informational materials and support activities to raise awareness and ensure that project achievements are effectively communicated to donors and target audiences – including scholars, policymakers, educators, and the general public – through tailored communication plans, digital platform management, and engaging content production. In particular, s/he shall perform the following tasks:
I. Programme visibility and communication:
- Develop and/or update tailored communication plans for the above-mentioned projects and the Memory of the World Programme in general.
- Produce high-visibility materials such as news articles, success stories from the field or partners, press releases, one-pagers/brochures, and social media content to showcase project and programme achievements. This includes content for AlUla newsletters and the MoW mailing list.
- Assist in the data collection process for the 3rd Consultation of the UNESCO 2015 Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form, including managing communication and follow-up with Member States and relevant stakeholders; supporting the dissemination and administration of surveys; monitoring response rates; compiling, cleaning, and organizing survey data; and contributing to the analysis and synthesis of findings for reporting and communication purposes.
- Propose ideas for engaging content, such as infographics and audiovisual materials, and support their development and implementation as needed.
- Liaise with DHE team members, CI colleagues, CPE and other relevant central-service units, partners, and stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with UNESCO’s communication strategies.
- Support DHE’s activities aimed at increasing public awareness, including workshops, webinars, exhibitions, and campaigns.
- Collect feedback on audience engagement or communication impact relevant to the MoW Programme from CPE and field colleagues and propose recommendations to improve outreach efforts.
II. External and internal communication in support of the UNESCO Jikji Prize:
- Serve as focal point for communication with Member States, National Commissions, donor authorities, MoW committees, nominators, and past laureates, including internal coordination with jury members regarding the Prize cycle.
- Manage the preparation, circulation, and consolidation of documentation related to the call for nominations, eligibility screening, and evaluation process.
- Monitor timelines and ensure compliance with the Prize Statutes and established assessment procedures.
- Prepare reports, web content, news items, and outreach materials in coordination with UNESCO communication services, including on the award ceremony and follow-up visibility activities.
III. Management of MoW website and its associated pages in alignment with open data efforts:
- Ensure timely updates on the MoW website, including project-specific hubs, the MoW International Register, and MoW National Committee pages.
- Monitor the MoW website’s functionality and coordinate with relevant CPE colleagues to promptly identify and resolve any errors or technical issues.
- Maintain accurate linkages of MoW metadata with the Wikimedia ecosystem, in liaison with the Wikipedian in Residence.
- Liaise with memory institutions, Member States, and UNESCO field offices to collect images and other relevant materials to enrich the MoW International Register, ensuring proper permissions and compliance with UNESCO copyright procedures.
IV. Other tasks:
- Assist in the preparation of the unit’s briefings, background papers, presentations, strategy documents, talking points and key messages, as requested by the Head of Unit.
- Contribute to the development of concept notes and project proposals, including those related to the UNESCO-Khalili Foundation partnership.
DELIVERABLES
- Monthly report on the activities undertaken and progress of the work carried out as part of the contract (I, II, III,IV) .
COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)
- Communication (C)
- Accountability (C)
- Innovation (C)
- Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
- Planning and organizing (C)
- Results focus (C)
- Teamwork (C)
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of communications, journalism, international relations, or social sciences.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of 2 years relevant professional work experience in communication, outreach, and advocacy, particularly in areas related to UNESCO, of which preferably at least 1 year at the international level.
- Experience in preparing and drafting high-quality visibility materials.
- Experience in developing and implementing communication outreach strategies for the wider dissemination of project outcomes and organizational visibility at international level.
Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Excellent analytical, drafting, and editing skills in English and French, with the ability to produce high-quality reports, news items, and other communication materials for international organizations.
- Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to collect, assess, and synthesize information from diverse sources.
- Proficiency in content management systems, particularly Drupal.
- Ability to use graphic design tools such as Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Proven ability to communicate, advocate, and collaborate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners within and outside the Organization.
- Strong creative abilities and capacity to deliver innovative communication solutions.
- Excellent organizational, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experience with the United Nations System or in an international development cooperation.
- Relevant professional experience in UNESCO’s programmes and/or normative tools in the field of communication and information.
- Experience in documentary heritage preservation projects.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Familiarity with the Memory of the World Programme, including the 2015 Recommendations concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:
Part 1: Technical Proposal
- an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
- a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment.
- an indication of the approach (methodology, detailed workplan) he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO.
- List of relevant publications, if any. Provide link or URL to view online.
Part 2: Financial Proposal
- A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR (or USD) and expressed on a monthly basis (with maximum of 2700 EUR per month), the overall cost of the assignment, expressed as an overall lump-sum.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Application should be submitted in just one file with all the documents required (pdf format) to be uploaded inthe application section "Employment History Form". Only applications providing the information requestedunder the application procedure will be considered.
- The selected candidate will work remotely. No travel will be supported.
- This Consultant Contract is for a period of 8 months.
- Estimated contract dates from June 2026 to January 2027.
- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
- UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
- lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
- All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
- The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
- UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.
To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.
The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.
Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.
Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).