JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 3 - Senior

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Phnom Penh

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 8 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 08/09/2026

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

OVERVIEW

The UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh is implementing the “Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitalization, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE)” Project in Cambodia with support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the period 2024–2028. The project seeks to support the preservation of archives and sites linked to the memory of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), during which nearly two million people died as a result of starvation, forced labour, and mass executions. This contract will directly contribute to the achievement of the project’s second expected output "Output 2.2. Capacity Building on Site Conservation for Cambodian Memorial Sites” and the implementation of Activity 2.2.2. Development of a conservation and management manual for human remains and other artefacts.”

In 2025, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the property “Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection” on the World Heritage List. The property includes the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, and the former M‑13 prison site. Upon inscription of the property, the World Heritage Committee recommended “(…) developing policies for how any future discoveries will be handled” and “developing and implementing capacity and the needed ongoing resources to improve the standards of material conservation and storage of artefacts, documents and objects held by the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, including human remains” (Decision 47 COM 8B.14), in line with the “Guiding Principles for the Preparation of Nominations Concerning Sites of Memory Associated with Recent Conflicts” adopted by the Committee in 2023.

The Cambodian Memorial Sites contain a wide range of historical materials associated with the Khmer Rouge period, including but not limited to human remains, textiles, clothing, iron objects, and other artefacts. At the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, conservation efforts are currently being undertaken on clothing and metal artefacts previously used in exhibitions. The historic S‑21 buildings serve as exhibition spaces and continue to house artefacts requiring ongoing conservation monitoring. At the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, human remains and associated materials such as textiles are naturally exposed during the rainy season as soil erosion reveals burial sites. At present, a comprehensive preservation management system for these discoveries remains limited. Similarly, archaeological investigations at the M‑13 prison site are expected to yield additional artefacts requiring appropriate documentation, conservation, and storage procedures.

In order to strengthen conservation practices and support the sustainable management of these materials at all three Cambodian Memorial Sites, and in application of the recommendations issued by the World Heritage Committee, the main objective of the assignment is to develop a practical Conservation and Management Manual providing both theoretical and operational guidance for the handling, documentation, conservation, and storage of human remains and other artefacts either currently held in the collections or to be discovered at the Cambodian Memorial Sites in future. The manual should be accessible, concise, and adapted to the operational realities of site managers.

The assignment will also strengthen institutional capacities through training workshops aimed at enabling site managers and staff to apply the manual in their day‑to‑day conservation activities.

ASSIGNMENTS

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia and the direct supervision of the Culture Programme Specialist, and in close cooperation with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and relevant national partners, and with the support of a national consultant, the international expert shall undertake the following activities:

A. Development of a Conservation and Management Manual

The expert will develop a practical manual providing guidelines for the respectful and scientifically sound management of human remains and artefacts encountered at Cambodian memorial sites.

The manual may include, but is not limited to, the following chapters:

• Overview of international best practices related to the legal and institutional frameworks relevant to memorial site conservation
• Ethical principles for the treatment of human remains (both currently in the museum’s care and those to be recovered through archaeological investigations in future) and organic and inorganic memorial site artefacts
• Outline of documentation and recording procedures for newly discovered materials
• Field recovery procedures and first aid for newly exposed human remains, as well as organic and inorganic artefacts (cleaning, stabilizing, and other preventive interventions).
• Environmental management and preventive conservation
• Storage requirements and storage facility management, including specific conservation considerations for human remains, as well as different material types including textiles, clothing, and metals
• Basic risk management and monitoring procedures for artefacts in the collection
• Templates and documentation forms for site managers
• Recommendations for long‑term conservation planning

B. Field Missions

The international expert is expected to undertake two field missions to Cambodia:

• Mission 1 – Fact‑finding and consultation mission, including site visits to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, and M‑13, and consultations with site managers and stakeholders (estimated duration: 10-15 days)
• Mission 2 – Delivery of training workshops and presentation of the manual to relevant stakeholders (estimated duration: 6 days).

C. Capacity Building Workshops and Materials

The consultant will design and deliver two capacity‑building workshops aimed at strengthening conservation skills among site managers and staff. The workshops will focus on practical application of the manual and preventive conservation approaches.

Each workshop is expected to involve approximately 20–30 participants, including site managers, museum staff, heritage professionals, and relevant stakeholders associated with the Cambodian Memorial Sites.

As part of the capacity-building workshops, the international expert is expected to develop training materials (PowerPoints, facts sheets) that can be re-used to train new staff at the Cambodian Memorial Sites.

CONTRACT DURATION

The assignment is expected to be completed over a period of approximately eight (8) months from the date of contract signature. It is estimated that the project will require about 70 working days in total over this period, including the two missions.

DELIVERABLES

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• 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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced degree in conservation, archaeology, heritage studies, museum studies, anthropology, or a related discipline

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in heritage conservation or museum collection management
• Demonstrated experience working with human remains and/or sensitive heritage materials, including a track record of relevant peer-reviewed publications
• Experience developing conservation manuals or technical guidelines

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into practical and evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent writing and drafting skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, coordination and facilitation skills
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent English writing and communication skills

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are invited to apply through the UNESCO Careers Portal (SuccessFactors) by clicking "Apply Now" and completing the online application process. Instead of the UNESCO Employment History Form, candidates are invited to submit a PDF containing: 

• An up‑to‑date curriculum vitae, including relevant publications
• A brief technical proposal including methodology, workplan, and timeline
• A financial proposal indicating the overall lump‑sum cost of the assignment. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately.
  

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT 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 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.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.