The Asia and the Pacific Unit (CLT/WHC/APA) is one of the five Regional Units of the World Heritage Centre in Culture Sector, ensuring the day-to-day management and effective implementation of the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 44 States Parties of the Asia and the Pacific region, with 278 cultural and natural heritage properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The APA Unit is working closely with the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee (ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN) and with relevant sectors at UNESCO and Field Offices in the implementation of the 1972 Convention to ensure better conservation and management of cultural and natural World Heritage properties. The APA Unit is also responsible for the implementation of international assistance projects, extra-budgetary operational projects at World Heritage properties, organizing capacity-building and training activities and carrying out monitoring and reporting on the state of conservation of World Heritage.
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Director of World Heritage and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Asia and the Pacific Unit, the Associate Project Officer shall assist in the coordination, development, implementation and monitoring of activities and projects related to the 1972 World Heritage Convention for natural World Heritage properties in the Asia and the Pacific region.
In particular, the incumbent will:
Assist in the coordination and implementation of the following voluntary contribution funded projects, in collaboration with the relevant national authorities, UNESCO Field Offices and Category 2 Centres under the auspices of UNESCO.
In collaboration with the national authorities and international experts/institutions in the field of conservation and management on natural and mixed heritage, facilitate the provision of expertise and technical assistance to Member States for international assistance activities, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation related to the protection of natural heritage and the environment of World Heritage properties.
Identify local and international partners for the implementation of project and activities, manage the relevant budget distribution, establish contracts and ensure the necessary follow-up on project activities, in line with the project work plans, and contribute to the preparation of various reports on these activities.
Contribute to the further development of the project portfolio for the Asia-Pacific region and to the development of capacity-building activities on natural and mixed World Heritage properties in the Asia-Pacific region.
Contribute to the implementation of the decisions and resolutions adopted by the World Heritage Committee and General Assembly of States Parties to the 1972 Convention, as well as the implementation of the Global and Climate Change Strategies adopted by the World Heritage Committee and the regional programme in Asia and the Pacific.
Contribute to the regular monitoring of natural and mixed World Heritage properties in the Asia-Pacific region, including the preparation of statutory documents and the provision of expert analysis on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties, based on various sources of and synthesise this information for the senior management and Governing Bodies of UNESCO.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of Cultural and/or Natural heritage, biodiversity, ecology, environmental management or related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of culture, safeguarding of natural and mixed heritage, biodiversity conservation and natural heritage or a related field, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at the international level;
Experience in the elaboration and management of programmes/projects in the field of natural heritage.
Skills:
Strong written and oral communication skills; with proven ability to draft high-quality, clear and concise documents and reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.
Ability to prepare and process documents for statutory meetings.
Excellent communication, coordination and organizational skills.
Ability to take initiative and to manage competing priorities, organize and prioritize workloads and to meet established and short deadline with a strong capacity for accuracy, close attention to detail and quality of work.
Good IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, Outlook, etc.)
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written).
