UNESCO Doha Office
Lead Conservator for the project “Preservation and
Promotion of Kuwait’s cultural heritage”
Terms of Reference
Assignment Title: / Lead ConservatorOrganization Unit: / UNESCO Doha Office
Contract Type: / Service Contract (SB3/SC07/2)
Duty Station / Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
Primary location / Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
Contract Duration: / One year(renewable)
Application deadline: / 31 July 2017
Context and Background
The UNESCO Doha Office in collaboration with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature (NCCAL), the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD) and UNDP in Kuwait, is implementing the project “Preservation and Promotion of Kuwait’s Cultural Heritage” which aims at supporting the burgeoning culture and arts sector in Kuwait. UNESCO and partners will support the Government’s endeavors to preserve and promote their cultural heritage through technical assistance aimed at strengthening cultural policy, institutions, management and planning in partnership with UNDP, NCCAL and in the museum sector in particular.As part of the project, a range of cultural events, workshops, conferences and exhibitions will be organized within the framework of the project over the coming two years.
The project is designed to provide technical expertise and support to the Kuwaiti authorities in the implementation of their policies and strategies for the culture sector, especially as concerns policy and capacity development for museums, handicrafts and creative industries.
The project's overall aims are to:
- establish a clear framework to strengthen culture by creating the bases for strong cultural institutions;
- operate with respect to international standards to extend services to the public and deliver a rich cultural agenda and programs; and,
- establish effective platforms that encourage creativity and productivity in the cultural field.
Tasks and Expected Outputs
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Doha Office, and direct supervision of UNESCO’s Culture Programme Specialist,the incumbent will serve as UNESCO Lead Conservatorin Kuwait for the “Preservation and Promotion of Kuwait’s Cultural Heritage” project. She/He will also be working in close cooperation with the UNESCO Technical Advisor appointed to the project. To this end, the incumbent will identify needs, develop, plan, organize, implement, monitor, evaluate and provide technical support for the project.
More specifically, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:
Oversee, as lead conservator, the installation and organization of the Kuwait National Museum (KNM) conservation laboratory once construction is completed
Develop strategies for preventive conservation, conservation intervention and long term storage plan for the KNM/DAI collections
Conduct a condition assessment of the ethnographic collections at the KNM and prepare a plan for their conservation in view of their exhibit
Identify objects within the collections that require urgent conservation and conduct the conservation work in collaboration with KNM/DAI staff.
Lead and instruct national counterparts in conservation and lead a team of specialized consultants / conservators in supporting conservation efforts in national institutions
Organize specialized training for KNM/DAI conservators and prepare a strategy for capacity building
Identify and contribute to the selection of conservators/consultants specialized in certain materials to train KNM/DAI conservators as required by the project.
Coordinate in preparingcapacity-building activities, including organization of training workshops and field visit.
Prepare periodic reports and documents on conservation and training activities undertaken as required
Required qualifications
Education- University degree in conservation of preferablynon-organic materials (Master’s would be an advantage).
- 4 years of relevant professional experience in conservation, of which at least 1year acquired international level.
- Experience in working with museum objects from the region. Knowledge of the Kuwait National Museum collection would be an asset.
- Knowledge and experience with UNESCO, the Organization’s culture programme and fields of competency would be an advantage
- Strong project management skills, including the writing and development of strategic and project planning documents.
- Proven analytical and organizational skills.
- Familiarity with Kuwait and GCC cultural heritage and museum sector.
- Excellent inter-personal skills, including written and oral communication, with proven ability to produce high quality reports, and make presentations to both technical and general audiences.
- Capacity to build partnerships and maintain networks.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a small highly focused team to achieve desired outcomes and to provide support to project stakeholders in Kuwait.
- Strong work ethic, sound judgement with capacity for initiative, and ability to work independently.
- Excellent IT skills.Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to lead and motivate teams and maintain effective working relationship in a multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English. Knowledge of Arabic language would be an asset.
Monthly remuneration for the post will be equivalent to USD 5835. UNESCO Service Contract benefits includes 30 days of annual leave as well as a contribution to pension scheme and health insurance upon proof of inscription.
How to apply:
Interested candidates with desired qualifications and skills should submit their letter of interest and CV using UNESCO CV standard form (attached) in English to the address of 66, Lusail Street-West Bay, PO Box 3945, Doha or to Or by Fax: +974 44113015. Please clearly indicate the post title in the subject of your application.
ONLY SHORT LISTED CANDIDATE WILL BE CONTACTED
A WRITTEN EXAMINATION MAY BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES.
UNESCO IS A NON-SMOKING ORGANIZATION
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