Project Officer (Culture)

Position Number: 2UACLT0002PA

Grade: P-3

Parent Sector: Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Kyiv

Job Family: Culture

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 04/05/2026

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

Initial duration of contract: 12 months, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, the general supervision of the Head of the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Culture Unit within the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine, the incumbent will be contributing to the overall planning, coordination and implementation of the Culture Program in Ukraine, with a focus on:

1) the implementation of the Project “Enhancing protection of cultural heritage in Ukraine: from emergency response to recovery” funded by the Government of Japan (hereinafter referred to as “JFIT-III”);

2) the implementation of the Project “Emergency measures at Khortytsia National Reserve in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine” funded by the Government of Sweden (hereinafter referred to as “Sweden Project”);

3) on the implementation of the 1970 and 1954 Conventions through dedicated contributions (Participation Program; Special Account; Heritage Emergency Fund);

4) on the implementation of the Special Account component related to the execution of Urgent Repairs in damaged buildings. 

Furthermore, the incumbent will be contributing to resource mobilization, by preparing concept notes, and project proposals, as well as by directly liaising with relevant partners, authorities, sectors in HQs, and donors, as needed to ensure proper program financing for UNESCO support to Ukraine culture field. 

Finally, the incumbent will be responsible for contributing to programs’ visibility and awareness-raising initiatives, through the participation into events, conferences, workshops, informative sessions, etc., including the preparation of needed technical materials.  

In particular, the incumbent shall:

• Contribute to the overall planning, coordination, management and implementation of the UNESCO Culture Programme, under direct guidance of the Chief of the Culture Unit at the Antenna, and with a focus on the JFIT-III & Sweden Projects, on the interventions for tangible heritage under the Special Account, and on the programs supporting the implementation of the 1970 and 1954 Conventions. In particular, the incumbent shall develop workplans, establish contracts and related procurement arrangements, monitor implementation and results, working closely with programme partners and stakeholders to ensure that objectives are attained;
• Ensure proper monitoring of the implementation of the projects, including budget, in accordance with donor-approved funds and identify and propose any adjustments that may be necessary
• Ensure the exchange of information and experiences; contribute to the identification of new strategies of action to improve delivery of services and to achieve the requirements and objectives of the training programmes;
• Provide technical advice and support to the Ukrainian authorities in the field of cultural heritage protection, conservation and promotion of cultural diversity and related UNESCO Culture Conventions, by liaising with the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, Regional and Local administrations, as well as with other relevant national and international stakeholders active in the field of culture;
• Prepare regular periodic progress reports and make presentations on programme developments to partners and national counterparts involved in the culture programme; coordinate the preparation of  relevant contributions to UNESCO and UN reports and other documents related to UNESCO’s work in Ukraine, and ensure the quality and timely completion of internal and external reporting documents;
• Under direct guidance of the Chief of the Culture Unit and in close coordination with relevant sectors in HQs, identify assistance priorities and design project proposals in close consultation with the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and other relevant stakeholders, by providing inputs on situation analysis, objectives, activities and results, programme strategy, planning, monitoring and evaluation, as well as partnerships;
• Contribute to addressing the funding gaps affecting the culture sector in Ukraine by actively initiating fundraising for UNESCO’s culture programme in Ukraine;
• Elaborate the content required for the implementation of the programme’s visibility and awareness raising initiatives, in close cooperation with UNESCO’s Communication officer at the Antenna in Ukraine, and the Communication and Public Engagement Division at Headquarters;
• Conduct field assessment visits to evaluate projects effectiveness, identify problems and initiate timely remedial action, as appropriate.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework [link removed].

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of culture, cultural heritage conservation and management, humanities, international relations, or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the field of cultural heritage conservation and management, or related field, of which two (2) years preferably acquired at the international level.
• Experience with partnership development and resource mobilization.
• Experience in capacity building and developing field projects related to cultural heritage conservation and restoration.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of development issues and policies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation;
• Excellent project management skills;
• Capacity to successfully lead and manage a team of professionals;
• Capacity to make technically sound decisions on all aspects of project implementation;
• Capacity to provide upstream policy advice at highest levels;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the Organization;
• Knowledge of the UNESCO Standard Setting Instruments in the field of Culture, including the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict;
• Ability to translate strategy into priorities and actions and to develop and implement strategic projects and initiatives for the protection of culture in Ukraine;
• Ability to build, develop, and maintain partnerships and to coordinate, negotiate and deal with partners and networks.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken). 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with UNESCO’s policies and administrative and financial procedures.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of Ukrainian.
• Knowledge of  UNESCO official language(s) (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and/or Spanish).

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 90 024 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits [link removed].

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 [link removed]. 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).

• 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 to 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 (last update here [link removed]) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net [link removed]
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.