Behaviour Change Specialist (Korean Expert) (Cusco, Peru) contract

Position Number: 3PECLT0001SE

Grade: P-2

Parent Sector: Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Cusco

Job Family: Culture

Contract Type: Secondment

Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to: External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 08/06/2026

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

Please note that this is a secondment position funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Only the nationals of the Republic of Korea are eligible to apply to this position.

UNESCO’s global mission is to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication to build peace, foster intercultural dialogue, reduce poverty, and achieve sustainable development in line with the SDGs. Within this framework, the World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme takes an integrated approach to managing tourism and heritage at World Heritage sites, protecting their Outstanding Universal Value and promoting local development.

For over 75 years, UNESCO has supported Peru through diverse programmes and initiatives to protect, manage, and promote its cultural and natural heritage. In 2025, with a partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UNESCO is deploying the project “Establishment of Circular Economy for Sustainable Tourism in the region of Cusco (2025–2032)”.

The project aims to promote environmental and tourism sustainability in the provinces of Cusco and Urubamba – that host three World Heritage sites – and that face significant challenges in solid waste management due to rapid tourism growth and urban expansion. The accumulation of improperly managed waste threatens not only the conservation of cultural and natural heritage but also the quality of life of the local population.

Legal frameworks and public policies related to circular economy exist in the region, but local authorities often face constraints that hinder the effective implementation of it.  As a result, solid waste recovery rates remain below 8%—well below their potential—pointing to the urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions. To tackle this pressing challenge, the project combines strategic investments in infrastructure, institutional strengthening, the promotion of circular economy markets, and impactful communication to drive behavior change. It actively engages all key waste generators — from local communities to visitors and tourism operators — positioning cultural heritage as the powerful force that unites and inspires collective action.

In this context, the Behavior Change Specialist will play a key role in supporting the design and implementation of strategies aimed at promoting behavior change related to environmental issues, sustainable tourism, and/or heritage conservation. awareness and fostering engagement among various stakeholders, promoting the active participation of both local communities and visitors, and strengthening overall environmental consciousness in the region.

The role also involves developing innovative campaigns, drawing on successful experiences from the Republic of Korea and adapting them to the socio-cultural context of Cusco and Urubamba.

In addition, the Specialist will act as a strategic liaison between the UNESCO Office in Peru, KOICA, and other relevant Korean entities, facilitating knowledge transfer and enhancing the project’s visibility and collaboration.

Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Office in Lima and the direct supervision and in collaboration with the coordinator of the project and the National Officer of Culture of the UNESCO Lima Office, the specialist will be integrating a multidisciplinary team based in Cusco and contribute to the implementation of activities related to behavior change activities.

The incumbent shall contribute to the implementation of activities related to behavior change, including awareness-raising, communication and educational strategies aligned with UNESCO guidelines.

The incumbent also contributes to the implementation of initiatives related to to sustainable practices in non-organic waste management and the promotion of the circular economy in Cusco and Urubamba.

• Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategies and activities for awareness-raising and behavior changes, ensuring they align with the project’s objectives and with UNESCO and KOICA guidelines. These strategies will promote sustainable practices in non-organic waste management and the circular economy in Cusco and Urubamba.
• Develop and coordinate educational and awareness campaigns aimed at changing behaviors among key stakeholders (local communities, tourism sector, education sector). Use innovative approaches and digital technologies to maximize community engagement and impact.
• Support the development of guidelines for communication and educational materials and multimedia resources tailored to the local context, ensuring that gender equality, cultural relevance, and intercultural perspectives are integrated into all communication activities.
• Serve as a technical and cultural link between the UNESCO Office in Peru, KOICA, and relevant Korean and international public institutions; sharing knowledge and best practices, and ensuring they are effectively integrated into the project.
• Facilitate and participate in meetings with specialists from the implementing institutions and key allies in the region to align the messages to be used during project development.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to measure the impact of activities for behavior change, including clear performance indicators and feedback mechanisms to measure impact and suggest improvements.
• Support the translation of key documents (reports, presentations, educational materials) from Spanish/English to Korean and vice versa, as needed, to facilitate effective communication between stakeholders.
• Advise the project team and local authorities on developing strategic awareness plans that support the sustainability of project activities.
• Actively contribute to project team activities, fostering a collaborative environment and positive team spirit to support the smooth and coordinated implementation of project activities.

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

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (a master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Education, Cultural Heritage, Circular Economy, Sustainability, or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least two (2) years of professional experience in international cooperation projects in Latin America related to environmental management; tourism and/or cultural heritage; or,
• At least two (2) years of experience implementing participatory methodologies and behavior change campaigns in multicultural environments.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Proven knowledge in applying and monitoring methodologies related to behavioural change.
• Knowledge in designing digital strategies for awareness-raising and environmental education campaigns.
• Proficiency in using social media and digital platforms to strengthen community engagement and disseminate key messages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and to write documents in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong planning and managerial skills; ability to establish priorities and to plan, implement and monitor work plans; ability to work under pressure in complex environments and tight deadlines as well as flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Ability to work in partnership with a wide range of national, regional, and international organizations at the highest level.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment and to work effectively in a team environment.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).

LANGUAGES

• Good knowledge (verbal and written) of English.
• Very Good knowledge (verbal and written) of Spanish.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated ability to promote sustainable practices and minimize environmental impact, including waste reduction, recycling, and the adoption of eco-friendly habits.
• Ability to design context-specific materials and tools to support behavior change, as well as to monitor their progress and impact.
• Strong intercultural and institutional communication skills for effective coordination with governmental, non-governmental, and community stakeholders; ability to work collaboratively in diverse, multicultural teams, with a solution-oriented mindset and a focus on strengthening cooperation between international and local partners.
• Knowledge and experience in integrating gender, intercultural, and community participation approaches into communication and behavior change strategies.
• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports.

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 annual salary for this post corresponds to the P-2 level for UN staff based in Peru.

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

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).

• 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) 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.
• 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
• 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.