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CALL FOR APPLICATION – MENTOR (African World Heritage Professionals)

• 03,Jan 2024
• Posted By : Veronica Mpinganjira
• 0 Comments

The African Heritage Professionals from the Africa Unit at UNESCO World Heritage is delighted to Call for Applications for Phase 3 of the World Heritage Mentorship Programme. The Programme aims to contribute to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa by enhancing capacities of heritage professionals through a mentoring programme. It will address the implementation of the World Heritage Convention including the different types of heritage that exist in Africa and will take into account regional specific needs.

The need to enhance capacities of African experts in heritage management and conservation is urgent. The World Heritage Capacity Building Strategy has acknowledged that States Parties to the World Heritage Convention often work closely with national training institutions and universities to carry out their capacity-building functions (Decision 35 COM 9B). The Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting exercise in the Africa region revealed the need for capacity development and an operational African expert network.

In line with UNESCO’s Operational Strategy for Priority Africa (2022-2029), specifically its Flagship Programme 3: Fostering Cultural Heritage and Capacity Development, the recently adopted Strategy for World Heritage in Africa (Decision 45 COM 5C) aims at (i) increasing the representativity of Africa on the World Heritage List, (ii) removing of sites from Danger list, (iii) institutionalising capacity building and (iv) supporting cultural heritage experts and (v) harnessing good conservation for socioeconomic development.

It is in this context, the Mentorship Programme for African Heritage Professionals was developed, in collaboration with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and the three Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN) to create opportunities for African heritage practitioners to become experts and be more involved in the implementation of World Heritage Convention activities. To enable a smooth implementation of this activity, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre will establish an individual consultant contracts with 10 mentors to be involved in the project to work in close collaboration with the Centre and its partners.

In the field of Nature and/or Culture, in close collaboration with the Africa Unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC/AFR) and its partners. To this end, the Contractor shall, under the supervision of the Chief of WHC/AFR, ensure the following specifics tasks:

1. Confirm his/her commitment by being formally contracted by the World Heritage Centre

1. Work with the assigned mentees in completing the mentoring goals declaration form.

1. Work actively with the mentees to achieve their mentoring goals, especially in improving their knowledge and professional expertise in World Heritage Convention in Africa.

1. Partake in the distribution of activities/projects in which the mentees will be involved during the process.

1. Participate in the training workshops that will be held throughout the mentoring year.

1. Submit quarterly mid-term reports of the two candidates and the advancement of their mentoring.

1. Submit a final report including: a final assessment and way forward with the two candidates, as well as recommendations for future and continued roll-out of the mentoring programme.

1. At least 10 years of experience in the Field of Natural or Cultural Heritage with at least 5 years on World Heritage Convention in Africa.
1. Experience or interest in Mentoring.
1. Previous work experience with the World Heritage Centre or its Advisory Bodies will be added value.

Travels: in the event that it is necessary to carry out travels within the framework of a specific activity appearing on the list of activities chosen by the mentor in collaboration with WHC/AFR, the travel expenses will be covered within the framework of the budget of that activity. The Contractor shall be notified in due course by the Centre of the arrangements to be made within the framework of the assignment to cover the costs. Please note that this will be subjected to considerations of possible restrictions imposed by the host country concerned to address the ongoing sanitary situation.

The following are details for the application Type of contract: Individual Consultant Contract. Duration of contract: From March to September 2024 (6 months), renewable further 6 months if satisfactory. Amount: 5 000 USD (lumpsum) for a 6-month contract. Application Deadline: 8 January 2024 (Midnight Paris Time). Application materials: CV and Motivation letter to be sent to: WH-Africa@unesco.org with copy to Jessica Roland Williams j.roland-williams@unesco.org