Senior Consultant - MONDIACULT 2025 (Culture)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 13-MAR-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Background

Within the Culture Sector Executive Office (CLT/EO), the Special Projects and Partnerships (EO/SPP) unit supports cross-cutting initiatives and special projects in the field of culture, ensuring their coordinated implementation and monitoring. These activities align with priority thematic areas outlined in internationally agreed documents, particularly the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration.

As part of its mandate, the EO/SPP unit is responsible for overseeing the preparation and implementation of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies – MONDIACULT 2025, to be held in Barcelona from 28 September to 1 October 2025. To ensure the successful organization of the Conference, CLT/EO requires additional support in key preparatory activities, including the production of information and knowledge materials, revision of content developed for the Conference, stakeholder consultations, coordination, data collection, partnership strengthening, production of communication materials, and resource mobilization.

MONDIACULT 2025 will focus on the follow-up of the six priority domains of the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration (cultural rights; digital technologies in the culture sector; culture and education; economy of culture; culture and climate action; culture, heritage and crisis) and on two focus areas: artificial intelligence (AI) and culture, and culture and peace.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will support the preparation and implementation of MONDIACULT 2025, with a particular focus on the production and revision of knowledge and information materials. AI and culture will receive special attention, including the coordination of an expert group tasked with preparing policy orientations for UNESCO Member States and relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to developing initiatives involving youth and artists and to mobilizing resources for these activities.

A key responsibility will be conducting qualitative and quantitative assessments on culture-related matters. The consultant will also play an essential role in designing the programme for MONDIACULT 2025, ensuring effective coordination with the team, partners, and stakeholders.

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Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT), the general supervision of the Chief of the Executive Office (EO/CLT), and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator for Special Projects and Partnerships (CLT/EO/SPP), the consultant will support various activities, with a particular focus on the following:

Work assignment

Tasks:

Long Description

• Support content-related production, review, and dissemination for MONDIACULT 2025’s priorities and focus areas, including:
  • Producing information materials, drafting reports, and preparing documents following UNESCO standards.
  • Identifying, compiling, analyzing, and reporting quantitative and qualitative data on MONDIACULT 2025’s priority areas.
  • Reviewing reports and other key documents to ensure technical and academic rigor.
  • Supporting activities related to the digital library, including document selection and review.
  • Supporting activities related to the Expert Group on Culture and Peace, including production of documents.
    • Support the coordination of the UNESCO Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, closely assisting the Group Chair by:
      • Drafting, reviewing, editing, and organizing key documents related to the preparation of the AI and Culture policy orientations document.
      • Facilitating communication among members, coordinating meetings, and assisting the Chair during working sessions.
      • Contributing to the design, resource mobilization, implementation, and evaluation of AI-related initiatives for MONDIACULT 2025 by preparing concept notes and funding proposals.
      • Ensuring coordination with the host country and relevant stakeholders for AI-related activities.
        • Support the overall coordination of MONDIACULT 2025’s preparatory activities, particularly in the six priority domains outlined in the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration and the two new priority domains.
          • Contribute to designing the general programme for MONDIACULT 2025, ensuring good coordination with the respective teams and stakeholders.

            TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

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            The contractor will submit the following deliverables, for validation by UNESCO, within the expected duration of the contract, as indicated below:

            The consultant will submit the following deliverables for validation by UNESCO within the expected contract duration:

            Long Description

            1. Activity Report – Work plan and activities carried out by the UNESCO Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence and Culture.