Consultant – Culture|2030 Indicators Programme (Other cities, France) contract

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 3 – Senior

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Other cities

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 18/05/2026

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

The UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators is a framework of thematic indicators whose purpose is to measure and monitor the progress of culture’s enabling contribution to the national and local implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative is integrated into UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2026-2027 (43 C/5) and the work on it across the Culture Sector is led by the Deputy Director of World Heritage. The UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators provide a conceptual framework and methodological instruments for countries and cities to assess the contribution of culture to the SDGs as part of the existing implementation mechanisms of the 2030 Agenda at the national or local levels. The framework will assess both the role of culture as a sector of activity, as well as the transversal contribution of culture across different SDGs and policy areas. Evidence gathered will inform policies and decisions as well as operational actions.

More information available on the website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/culture2030indicators/

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture, the general supervision of the Director of World Heritage and the direct supervision and functional authority of the Deputy Director of World Heritage, the consultant shall contribute to the design, coordination, and implementation of activities carried out under the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators programme. The consultant shall work in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders and the technical guidance of UNESCO International Experts. The consultant shall cooperate closely with the UNESCO HQ Culture|2030 Indicators Team and carry out the following activities:

• Plan, monitor, and evaluate programme activities following the approved Programme and Budget of the approved projects.

• In the framework of the EU Phase II project “Advancing evidence-based policies and actions, and supporting policy making to enhance the contribution of creative sectors and industries to sustainable development”, review and support the finalization of project outputs for 10 countries and 10 cities; in cooperation with UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators Experts and UNESCO, build on the countries and cities submissions to produce the validated and finalized data tables, national/urban reports and culture profile (manuscript publication for print and also online adaptation for online dissemination).

• Design and formulate project proposals and cost estimates for countries and cities seeking to implement the UNESCO CultureI2030 Indicators to support further expand implementation. Support UNESCO Field Offices in the development of concept notes and project proposals.

• Support the refinement of the UNESCO CultureI2030 Indicators methodology in collaboration with International Experts and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), in particular for the peacebuilding and climate change indicators.

• Support the EU/UNESCO Expert Facility to achieve its goal of accompanying Member States in the implementation of the UNESCO CultureI2030 Indicators; provide advice and develop guidance and capacity building materials for regional capacity building workshops, for the members of the Expert Facility, and on the use of these technical assistance tools.

• Research, recommend, and contribute to the development and expansion of a knowledge base on the programme and capacity building for implementation supporting the development and/or refinement of knowledge products;

• Maintain current the UNESCO Culture I2030 Indicators Data Bank design considering methodological developments and requirements for visual representation of the analysis of the results.

• Within the framework of the EU Phase II Project, review data from the global implementation of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators initiative, compile the global dataset for the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators; develop data models to aggregate results by region and/or by specific thematics (Gender Equality, Peace & Security, Climate Action, or others).

• Enhance the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators global dataset by pre-populating indicators or sub-indicators with data already available from UNESCO programmes, normative instruments, or relevant international sources for UNESCO Member States.

• Assess the capacity development needs and priorities, with special focus on promoting UNESCO’s approach to gender equality by making a concerted effort to make more visible the contribution of Culture to SDG5 and highlighting the necessity to collect sex disaggregated data for as many of the proposed indicators as possible.

• Contribute to preparation of analytical reports, summary analysis for integration in the UNESCO publications and for global reporting requirements

•  Provide methodological support for the implementation of complementary data collections models in pilot locations and contribute to their integration with the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators, in particular building on the results of EU Phase II project .

• 11 months

• The work will be assessed progressively with regard to the achievement of the targets by the end of the contract period. Monthly progress reports on the progress in delivering the outputs related to the work assignment by the end of each month.

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

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

• University degree or Master’s degree in economics, financial economics, econometrics, or business administration 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 10 years of relevant experience at the international level in Sustainable Development and Culture or Cultural statistics, including substantial experience at the international level or in roles involving international collaboration, global frameworks, or cross-country analysis.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of culture (in particular the UNESCO Conventions and Programmes, cultural related data).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of cultural statistics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and relevant experience in managing and navigating multidisciplinary groups of experts, professionals, and organizations across multiple countries and at different scales from national to local (city) levels.
• Demonstrated experience in budget planning, monitoring and execution, as well as communicating project implementation actions and results.
• Ability to implement communications and publications strategies

• Proven diplomatic skills in communicating sensitively and effectively across different constituencies, countries, and cultural groups.
• Excellent communication skills, excellent writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualise issues and analyse data to compile and synthesise information in coherent and succinct formats;
• Excellent coordination and project management skills to ensure high quality and timely delivery;
• Demonstrated ability to use office equipment with computer literacy in graphic design, publication design, multimedia products development, web design, web content, etc.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience with UNESCO systems, including SAP and Core Manager;
• Experience managing donor-funded programmes and grants.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s processes related to voluntary contributions funded projects

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’.

Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please enclose the following documents/information with the Form, and merge them into one PDF file to upload:

• CV stating up-to-date educational background, professional experience and achievements relevant to the consultancy;

• an approach and methodology, including a work plan in line with the Terms of Reference and the proposed duration for the completion of the tasks of the work assignment;

• a financial proposal corresponding to the tasks of the work assignment. The amount to be charged should be quoted in USD for the proposed duration. 

There is no specific template to follow. One pager to describe the approach and methodology for the assignment would be acceptable accompanied by the amount to be charged for the assignment, expressed in a) total for the overall duration of the contract and/or b) per month.

The complete application shall be submitted on or before 18 May 2026 at 23:55, Paris time.

Note:

• Please submit your application through the UNESCO careers website.
• Due to the large number of applications, only the selected candidate(s) will be notified of the result.
• For relevant questions to which you cannot find answers above after careful checking, please contact the hiring team at culture2030indicators@unesco.org

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 personnel 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.
• 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.