Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)
Duty Station: Amman
Job Family: Culture
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : 6 months, extendable
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 26 April 2024 (midnight Paris time)
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Advertisement: Call for Proposals from Individual Consultants – Heritage Management and Planning Expert
1 BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES AND JUSTIFICATION
Under the direct supervision of the Culture Unit Project Officer, the assigned consultant shall fulfil the role Heritage Management and Planning Expert.
1.1 Project Overview
The assignment falls in the framework of the UNESCO project “Local Communities and Sustainable Tourism in Petra and Wadi Rum” (here-after The Project), funded by the Government of Italy (AICS).
The Petra Archaeological Park, a World Heritage site since 1985, is the largest contributor to Jordan’s tourism industry and economy. Managed by the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), and the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP), the site is in constant demand for preservation and management measures, and the recent increase in tourism, growing unregulated commercial activities, and occurrence of natural disaster events represent an additional threat to its conservation.
Local communities living in and around the site have over the years become increasingly dependent on exploiting the growing number of visitors to Petra as their main source of livelihood. This is mainly through hospitality services and sometimes through unregulated commercial activities inside the site directed towards visitors. The latter is adding to the already existing tourist pressure on the site and leading to conflictual relations with the local authorities.
As international tourism returns to its pre‐COVID‐19 rate, and with the added pressure of increasing climate change impact, cultural heritage sites need, more than ever, sustainable strategies to ensure their long‐term protection, which should ensure the involvement of local communities at all levels, as main beneficiaries, but also main guarantors of these sites’ protection.
The overall purpose of this project is to ensure the sustainable conservation of World Heritage Sites of Petra and Wadi Rum while offering local communities the possibility to take part in the preservation of the sites through small cash‐for-work activities, enhance their capacity in tourism and hospitality‐related activities, and raise their awareness on the importance of their role in the safeguarding of their own cultural heritage.
The project will also contribute to improving site presentation and ensuring the continuation of tourism activities, thus supporting the tourism‐based economy on which local communities’ livelihoods depend almost entirely.
2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Within the framework of the Project, and under the direct supervision of the Project Officer in the Culture Unit of UNESCO Jordan Office, the Consultant will provide specialized expertise to the project activities by providing technical support toPetra local authorities (PDTRA and PAP) in:
3. DUTIES/TASKS AND EXPECTED OUTPUT:
As part of the assignment, the Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:
4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES
The total duration of this assignment is tentatively 6 months, from ( May 2024 to 18 October 2024) , and is subject to extension based on the needs and extension of the project.
The list of reports below presents the main deliverables/milestones related to the work assignment to be carried out under the contract. The consultant shall submit to the UNESCO Jordan Office the following reports in English:
i. Inception report, inclusive of a narrative report describing the activities undertaken so far (agendas and minutes of meeting, summaries of discussions, etc.), a tentative timeline for the assignment, and presenting the results of the research/assessment conducted as part of the activity described under Duties/ Tasks and Expected Output 3.i.
ii. Progress Report #1, inclusive of a narrative report describing the activities implemented during the reporting period (agendas and minutes of meeting, summaries of discussions, etc.), and the methodological and technical approach as described under Duties/ Tasks and Expected Output 3.iii.
iii. Progress Report #2, inclusive of a narrative report describing the activities implemented during the reporting period (agendas and minutes of meeting, summaries of discussions, etc.), and the drafts for the ITMP and update of the Integrated Management Plan.
iv. The final ITMP and update of the Integrated Management Plan.
v. Mission reports on the field missions undertaken during the assignment to be provided to UNESCO within 2 weeks from their implementation.
5. COORDINATION
Throughout the duration of the project, the consultant is expected to:
i. Coordinate with the UNESCO Jordan Project Officer in all stages of the work, from the planning phase to the implementation of the agreed activities, taking place in Amman and Petra;
ii. Closely coordinate and liaise with the national and local authorities, primarily the Jordanian Department of Antiquities, the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, and the Petra Archaeological Park in all stages of the work.
6. FIELD ACTIVITIES
Throughout the duration of the contract, the consultant shall undertake up to five missions (up to 25 days) to Jordan (both Amman and Petra), to conduct the following activities:
i. Hold briefing meetings with the national authorities (Petra Development and Tourism Authority, Petra Archaeological Park, and Department of Antiquities of Jordan) to provide updates on the activities undertaken and consult on relevant decisions;
ii. Undertake field missions to the World Heritage Site of Petra to meet the national and local authorities, the local stakeholders, and the local community, as needed for the elaboration of the ITMP and the update of the Integrated Management Plan.
Education
Work experience
Languages
• Excellent writing and reporting skills in English and in Arabic.
Work Experience
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History Form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:
* Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information above, upload the file at the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form.
Only applications with the requested information will be considered.
I. A statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment;
II. A Technical Written proposal (4 Pages Maximum) consisting of:
• A description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment;
• A work plan with detailed milestones and key deliverables/activities as per the terms of reference;
• Comments on the Terms of Reference, if any (in brief);
• CV;
• The amount to be charged for the assignment following the below Price Schedule:
A lump sum amount to be charged for the assignment (excluding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs), which should be quoted in US Dollars.
Please indicate your proposed Monthly rate (without travel cost) and design your payment scheme against clear and specific set of deliverables and milestones as reflected in your work plan.
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– In case of Travel required, indicate estimated cost for travel cost* (round airplane ticket ATK–on economy class only) indicating travelling from, to and cost.
NB: Daily substance allowance (DSA) and terminal fair will be according to UNESCO rates applicable to the destination country. DSA will be calculated based on the effective number of travel nights spent away from the duty station if required.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
“UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members 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. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.”
“UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process”.