Project Coordinator 'Creative Caribbean'

OVERVIEW

Grade : NO-A

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Kingston

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-MAR-2021

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, CARICOM Secretariat and The University of the West Indies are launching the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of “Play” for Growth and Development’ (hereafter called ‘Creative Caribbean’) supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) programme “Towards a Viable Cultural Industry: Supporting the Cultural and Creative Sectors in the ACP countries” (EuropeAid/167697/IH/ACT/MULTI) with the financial contribution of the European Union and the support of the Organisation of ACP States".

 

The Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ aims to foster economic, human and social development of the Caribbean region by stimulating inclusive, diversified and sustainable growth of the cultural economy through (1) creation of jobs for women, men and youth within a decent work framework; (2) creation, production and distribution of cultural and creative goods and services; (3) improved market access; and (4) support of regional and national policies and measures.

 

Specific objectives of the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ are: (1) Strengthened and rationalised ecosystem development framework (including entrepreneurial capacity & strategic business planning) for the cultural and creative sectors in the region; (2) Increased creation and production of quality globally competitive goods and services at competitive prices for access to local, regional and international markets as well as the creation of new jobs; (3) Expanded skills which enable participants to self-generate the cash flow to fuel their growth as well as increased access to financing through innovative mechanisms that allow co-financing and reduce the Caribbean’s cultural operators’ dependency on international financing.

 

Main activities of the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ are:

 

P.lanning & Research

Generate a Consolidated Regional Master Plan for implementation and sustainable development of CCIs in the region, by building a more comprehensive data enabled understanding of the sector that will form a reliable basis for analysis and planning. Mapping the sector will reveal gaps and opportunities so that BSOs and MSMEs can more effectively design and position marketable products and services.

Long Description

L.iteracy & Capacity Building

A Caribbean Creative Content Hub established to generate increased content, productivity of CCIs, improved competitiveness and international market access especially across the festival marketplace and trade routes. This will be supported by data-enabled planning capacity and will focus on increased visual literacy education for youth and visibility for content production.

 

A.ccelerators & Financing

Activities will use enterprise acceleration and entrepreneurial training to drive the Content Hub and creative city projects while enabling CCIs to develop market ready products and services and expand their markets. CCIs will also gain new access to financing through innovative mechanisms

 

Y.ield & Dissemination

Activities will foster a strong cooperation framework to sustain regional CCI planning through creation of thematic networks and exchanges, dissemination and mainstreaming of good practice with an aim to transfer lessons learned and impact on national policies and increasing business opportunities.

 

The Joint Project “Creative Caribbean’ is to be implemented in 14 Caribbean States: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago from January 2021 to April 2024 (40 months).

 

Under the authority and overall supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, with direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Culture and in close coordination with designated Focal Points of the CARICOM Secretariat and The University of the West Indies, the Incumbent will manage the coordination and overall implementation of the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

Long Description

1. Coordinate the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ in compliance with its overall objective, specific objectives, expected outputs, outcomes and activities by:

a. Preparing, adjusting and monitoring detailed work plans for the timely implementation of activities and the achievement of the Joint Project’s expected results;

b. Supporting designated Focal Points of the CARICOM Secretariat and The University of the West Indies and assigned Work Package Leaders in implementation of the activities according to the defined Work Packages of the Joint Project;

c. Organizing and coordinating the work of the Project Steering Committee (project partners) and the Project Technical Team (key stakeholders) according to the agreed schedule for the on-line and face to face modes;

d. Ensuring participation of designated representatives of the Joint Project to the Annual Stakeholder Meetings of the ACP Secretariat and to the Annual Project Partner Meetings by arranging the travel, accommodation and all related logistical matters;

e. Contributing to preparation, launching and designation of Calls for Applications of the Enabling, Training and Industry Grants in close cooperation with designated Focal Points of the CARICOM Secretariat and The University of the West Indies;

f. Providing technical assistance in preparation of the Terms of Reference for institutions, entities, consultants and experts for transfer to third parties of skills, know-how and experience;

g. Creating thematic networks and exchanges for the sustainability of the Project, dissemination and mainstreaming of good practice with an aim to transfer lessons learned and impact on national policies and business opportunities;

h. Providing support and coordinating the activities of the ‘Creative Caribbean’ management team and other contributors;

i. Supporting the procurement of goods and services and regularly monitoring their deployment;

Long Description

j. Guiding the production of Project deliverables, including guidelines, manuals and other technical and/or reporting materials, and ensure their high quality;

k. Ensuring conformity and compliance with UNESCO rules and regulations, policies, communication strategies, and Office procedures and practices.

 

2. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of overall implementation and the reporting on the Joint Project activities by:

a. Providing overall guidance and leadership on monitoring, evaluation and reporting, in line with established outputs, outcomes and indicators of the Joint Project;

b. Developing monitoring and evaluation strategies, plans and tools in accordance with the UNESCO and ACP-EU regulations and guidance;

c. Preparing reports on the Joint Project activities for UNESCO, the donor and other relevant partners;

d. Presenting aggregate strategic analyses on the Joint Project performance based on commitment of indicators and implementation of activities as well as output delivery;

e. Regularly monitoring the financial status of the Joint Project and developing budget revisions, as needed;

f. Coordinating preparation of budgetary and financial reports, verification of overall accuracy and consistency, and crosscheck consistency of figures and by contributing to preparation of budgetary and financial reports, statistics and projections;

g. Fostering exchanges of information and experiences and identifying new strategies to improve the Joint Project delivery and to achieve its objectives;

h. Facilitating the implementation of monitoring/evaluation actions (including identifying issues and instituting timely remedial measures, as appropriate), reporting on and the documenting good practices, case studies and lessons learned.

Short Description

3. Liaise with relevant national, regional and international governmental and non-governmental counterparts and stakeholders by:

a. Providing technical input and guidance to relevant stakeholders, counterparts and authorities;

b. Identifying relevant institutions and entities and ensuring their engagement in relevant activities of the Joint Project;

c. Developing partnerships to promote synergies with national and regional entities to facilitate the implementation of the Joint Project and its long-term sustainability;

d. Maintaining productive relationships with counterparts and key stakeholders, including ministries, regional and national authorities, EU Delegations, relevant UN System partners and others;

e. Maintaining regular exchange and increasing cooperation and synergies with the team of the UNESCO-EU Transcultura Programme.

 

4. Oversee and contribute to the development and implementation of the Communication Plan of the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ in close cooperation with the Public Information Officer of the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean and the Communication Specialist, by:

a. Ensuring proper visibility is given to the Joint Project, donor and partners by developing and updating communication plans, objectives, milestones and tools and providing strategic orientation and support to the implementation team;

b. Ensuring compliance with UNESCO and ACP-EU communication requirements and the FAFA EC-UN Visibility Guidelines.

 

5. Implement any other tasks within other priority areas as identified by the Director and/or Programme Specialist for Culture of the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, provided those tasks are consistent with the incumbent’s professional qualifications.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Driving and managing change (M) Building partnerships (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Managing performance (M) Strategic thinking (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.  

Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and Results Based Management and competence in designing and managing development programmes.
• Strong understanding of the thematic areas covered by the Joint Project.
• Ability to synthesize performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as ability to set priorities, to ensure compliance to rules and administrative guidelines, to analyse and respond to routine and non-routine issues.
• Ability to identify and analyse trends, opportunities and threats and to develop appropriate strategies and mechanisms to address them.
• Ability to establish good working relationships with internal and external colleagues, experts, partners and stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels.
• Knowledge of ethical and behavioural expectations, sound judgement, and high standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including advanced knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Social Sciences, Cultural Studies or other fields closely related to the position.

 

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of culture, education and/or social and human sciences projects or programmes.
• Experience (academic or professional) in the cultural and creative sectors, heritage or tourism.
• Experience coordinating a multi-skilled/multicultural team.
• Experience engaging government agencies, partner institutions and/or donors and in developing partnerships.

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written).

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience working with the UN System or the European Union.
• Regional or international experience.

 

Skills and competencies

• Knowledge of UN and/or European Union procedures, rules and regulations.

 

Languages

• Knowledge of Spanish.

 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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