Associate Project Officer (PEACE Project)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 4KHCLT 0001SE

Grade: P-1

Parent Sector: Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Phnom Penh

Job Family: Culture

Contract Type: Secondment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 02/11/2026

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM) and other relevant sites of memory of the Khmer Rouge genocide are strategic priorities for UNESCO in Cambodia. The TSGM's archives constitute the most complete surviving documentary record of the Democratic Kampuchea prison system and of the mass atrocities committed under the so-called “Khmer Rouge regime.” Given its historical significance, in 2009, the archives of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum were recognized as World Documentary Heritage of international significance and were inscribed, first on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Through the TSGM archives preservation and digitization Phase I project, a strategic and first of its kind project supported by KOICA, in collaboration with Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA), UNESCO has promoted universal access to documentary heritage through sustainable preservation of over 745,494 pages and digitization of nearly half a million archives, which is now accessible through a bilingual website by Cambodians, youth and international researchers.

Drawing on its achievements, UNESCO, in partnership with the MoCFA and KOICA, have initiated the Phase II project titled “Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitization, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE).” This Phase II project, from 2024 to 2028, aims to further develop Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM) and related sites as a centre of excellence for peace education and global citizenship education, and demonstrate it as a model memorial heritage site for learning and youth empowerment to promote peace. This will be achieved through the following four outcomes: 1) Dissemination of Values of Cambodian Memorial Sites through record conservation and advancement of archive digitization; 2) Enhancement of Conservation Condition and Visitor Environment for Conservation and Dissemination of Values of Cambodian Memorial Sites; 3) Dissemination of Understanding on Cambodian Memorial Sites through Improvement of Exhibitions; 4) Improvement of Understanding on Peace through Peace Education.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Work is carried out under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, in close coordination with the Communication & Information and Education Units. The Associate Project Officer will keep the Project Coordinator and the Programme Specialist in Culture regularly informed of progress through participation in team meetings, mission and project reports, and informal meetings, as appropriate.

The main internal contacts are UNESCO staff (including field offices, HQ, and Category I and II institutes) in relevant project areas. Other external contacts are the MoCFA, TSGM, Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, National Archives and National Museum of Cambodia, UNESCO National Commission, CSOs, KOICA, media stakeholders, research and education institutes, UN Agencies and development partners.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the framework of the PEACE Project, under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Phnom Penh Office and the direct supervision of the Culture Programme Specialist, in close coordination with the Communication and Information (CI) Associate Project Officer, the Associate Project Officer (PEACE Project) shall:

1. Provide technical assistance to MoCFA and TSGM in strengthening preservation and digitization of archives and documentary heritage, museum management and peace education in Cambodia;
2. Provide support for the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the PEACE Project, notably by gathering inputs to track progress against set performance indicators;
3. Coordinate the drafting narrative progress reports for the project and contribute to donor reporting, including mid-year financial and narrative reports and Strategic Steering Committee Meetings, ensuring compliance with established standards and templates;
4. Support the overall implementation of the project, including facilitating timely execution of project activities, and preparing project progress reports in close coordination with donor, KOICA, to fulfil reporting requirements in a timely manner;
5. Provide assistance in determining project progress, identifying barriers, supporting timely implementation of project activities;
6. Support the identification of experts and partners, including preparing Terms of Reference and providing technical assistance for subject-expert missions, assessments and studies;
7. Conduct missions, research and analyses related to documentary heritage, archives preservation and digitization, World Heritage site nomination, museum management, peace education and global citizenship education for youth; identify innovative models and good practices to be integrated in UNESCO’s project development and implementation;
8. Design and draft internal and external communication materials, with relation to the project implementation process, including meeting minutes, website news articles, social media posts, and advocacy materials;
9. Manage the project communications calendar in coordination with team members, identifying key communication opportunities and drafting messages for the website and social media channels and coordinating the production of relevant communication assets;
10. Undertake any additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Country Representative.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

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

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

An advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in culture, communications, archaeology, education, political science, or other relevant fields in social sciences or humanities.

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the implementation, coordination, or administrative support of cultural heritage, culture, or museum/archives-related development projects, including experience in monitoring and evaluation, donor/results-based reporting, or project performance tracking with preferably one year acquired at the international level.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and formulate research documents
• Ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of partners and stakeholders within and outside the Organization.
• Strong IT skills.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.
• Native or Fluency in Korean.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in Asia-Pacific region;
• Experience working with the UN, and knowledge of UN regulations and guidelines;
• Relevant experience working with international organizations, government cultural institutions, or development partners on culture-sector programming is an asset.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Good knowledge and proven expertise in the coordination of multilateral cooperation projects.

LANGUAGES

Knowledge of another UN official language of UNESCO (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

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-1 level for UN staff based in Cambodia.

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

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

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).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• 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.