JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Division for Communications and Public Engagement (CPE)

Duty Station : New Delhi

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+5 Time) : 09/09/2026

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

The roster will be valid from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2027, or until further notice. UNESCO reserves the right to extend or close the roster at any time.

OVERVIEW

UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — works to build peace, eradicate poverty, and foster sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. The UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, based in New Delhi, oversees UNESCO's programmes and partnerships across India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, working closely with governments, civil society, and partners to advance these goals.

The Regional Office's Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) function is responsible for amplifying the visibility and impact of UNESCO's work across the region. This includes producing and disseminating content across digital and social media platforms, covering events and field activities, designing publications and communications materials, and managing UNESCO's regional brand presence. The CPE team works across all of UNESCO's programme sectors — education, culture, sciences, and communication and information.

To support this mandate, the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia is seeking qualified individuals to join a Creative Services Roster. Rostered candidates will be selected for projects on an 'on-call' basis, with no guarantee of assignment, to provide photography and videography services across a range of communications and public engagement activities.

The roster covers two (02) service categories. Candidates may apply to one or more categories. Each category is governed by its own Terms of Reference (ToR), detailed in the sections below.

The roster will be valid from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2027, or until further notice. UNESCO reserves the right to extend or close the roster at any time.

GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CATEGORIES

Type of Contract

Individual Consultant (Non-Staff) or registered agency/firm. Contracts may be issued to individuals or legal entities depending on the nature and scale of the assignment. 

Geographic Coverage

The roster is open to individuals and agencies based anywhere in South Asia. Candidates must clearly indicate in their application:

• Their country of residence/base; and
• The region(s) within India and/or countries in South Asia where they are available to undertake assignments in person.

For candidates based in India, please indicate your region according to the following categorisation:

• Region 1: New Delhi / NCR
• Region 2: North India (excluding Delhi)
• Region 3: South India
• Region 4: East India
• Region 5: West India (Maharashtra, Gujarat)
• Region 6: North-East India

For candidates based outside India, please indicate the country in which you are based and the South Asian countries in which you are available to work. UNESCO will, to the extent possible, prioritise candidates based in the country where an assignment takes place.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights (All Categories): All copyright and intellectual property rights in materials produced under this assignment shall vest in UNESCO. The selected candidate/consultant shall provide UNESCO with all final and editable/source files. UNESCO shall have the exclusive worldwide right to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, distribute and otherwise exploit the materials, in any form or on any platform. No material may be used, published, or reproduced by the candidate/consultant without prior written permission from UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi. All work must be original and must not infringe third-party rights. AI-generated images or videos are not permitted. 

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.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To enhance the visibility and impact of UNESCO's work in the region, the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia (UNESCO New Delhi) is seeking qualified individuals and agencies to join a roster of photographers and videographers. The qualified candidates will be added to the roster and selected for projects on an 'on-call' basis to provide support for field work documentary-style photography, filming, covering workshops, meetings, conferences and other on-site assignments. The candidates will be assigned one role at a time on any given project, whether as photographer or videographer. Candidates may apply as photographers, videographers, or both, and should clearly indicate their area(s) of expertise.

The call is open to individuals and registered agencies of any nationality. Individual candidates must be based in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal or Bangladesh and be able to provide services in person. Agencies must be able to deploy personnel to the relevant country of assignment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Capture professional, creative, and high-quality photographs and/or videos that effectively document UNESCO activities, events, and project outcomes across the region.
• Coordinate with the designated UNESCO focal point to understand assignment requirements, attend briefings, and deliver outputs within agreed timelines.
• Cover events and field missions comprehensively, including key sessions, interactions, interviews, and other relevant moments; ensure a multi-camera set-up for event documentation where required.
• Ensure balanced, inclusive, and culturally sensitive representation in line with UNESCO's values, including gender equality and diversity.
• Mainstream UNESCO's gender strategy and ensure that shooting frames include a balance of men and women, as far as possible.
• Obtain informed consent from individuals featured in photographs or videos using UNESCO's consent forms, including forms for minors.
• Conduct short video or audio interviews with event participants or project beneficiaries as directed, and share transcripts with UNESCO.
• Edit and process photographs and/or videos to professional standards, incorporating UNESCO feedback and revisions as needed.

• Deliver final outputs in required formats: high-resolution and web-ready JPEG files, RAW files for archiving, MP4 video (H.264, minimum 1920x1080), and relevant metadata and captions.
• Rename all files in accordance with UNESCO's naming conventions and include required metadata (copyright holder, event name, location, date).
• Ensure all content complies with copyright requirements, ethical standards, applicable laws, and includes UNESCO branding where appropriate.
• Provide social media-ready cuts and still selects for digital platforms, with captions, where required.
• Meet agreed deadlines and maintain regular communication with UNESCO throughout the assignment.

SCOPE OF WORK AND RATE PROPOSALS

Candidates should provide the following rate information:

• Daily professional rate for assignments in the candidate's country of residence/base;

• Daily professional rate for assignments in another country, where the candidate is willing to travel; and
• Daily professional rate for home-based post-production/editing services, where applicable.

For assignments requiring travel outside the candidate's country of residence/base, any travel-related costs shall be proposed separately and shall not be included in the daily professional fee unless expressly requested by UNESCO.

DUTY STATION

The assignment will be undertaken on an on-call basis across India and/or other South Asian countries, depending on programme requirements. Assignments may take place at UNESCO offices, hotels, project sites, conference venues, workshops, and other event locations. UNESCO will, to the extent possible, give preference to rostered candidates based in the country where the assignment takes place.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

University degree and/or professional training in photography, videography, film, photojournalism, communications, or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrable professional experience in photography and/or videography, including event coverage and field documentation. Experience in the development sector or with international organizations is an asset.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong skills in photography and/or videography, including a keen eye for composition, light, and visual storytelling;
• Proficiency in industry-standard software: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro and/or Final Cut Pro;
• Ability to produce social media-ready content, including short video clips and image selects with captions;
• Experience with innovative tools such as drones, 360-degree cameras, or GoPro equipment is an asset;
• Familiarity with UNESCO or UN branding guidelines is an advantage;
• Ability to work independently and efficiently under tight deadlines;
• Sensitivity to cultural and social differences; and
• Note: use of AI-generated content is prohibited unless expressly authorized by UNESCO.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Proficiency in local languages of the duty station is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates and agencies should apply through the UNESCO careers website (https://careers.unesco.org/) and follow these steps:

• Create or log in to your account on the UNESCO careers website.
• Download and complete your 'Employment History Form'.
• Prepare the following documents:
• Cover letter: highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences and explaining how your qualifications make you suitable for the assignment(s) applied for. Please indicate the category code (CPE-PV) to which you are applying, and clearly state your region of base (within India) or country of base (outside India) and the regions/countries where you are available to undertake in-person assignments. Agencies should also include a brief organisational profile (year established, size, key clients).
• Curriculum vitae (CV): outlining your professional and educational history, including contact information, work experience, software skills, and language skills. Agencies should submit CVs of at least two (2) key personnel proposed for UNESCO assignments.
• Portfolio: showcasing your relevant skills. The portfolio should include at least three (3) recent work samples with brief descriptions of the project and your role. For CPE-PV  include links to online portfolios where possible.
• Standard service rates: completed in accordance with the rate form relevant to each category applied for (see Annex I). Rates should be quoted in local currency. Agencies should indicate whether rates are per individual team member or per assignment.
• Combine all items (Employment History Form, cover letter, CV or organisational profile, portfolio, and standard service rates) and upload as a single file under the 'Employment History' attachment section.
• Complete or update your 'Candidate Profile'; save and submit your application.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

All candidates must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the relevant Terms of Reference and the best value for money approach. This may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference and e-mail correspondence for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the selection of candidates for inclusion in the roster shall be the need to secure the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.

UNESCO is committed to promoting equitable and diverse geographical representation, gender balance, and diversity in terms of nationality and culture in the composition of its rosters. Qualified candidates from non- and under-represented Member States are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications and information submitted as part of the selection process will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee assignment; candidates will be contacted on an on-call basis depending on programme needs. Candidates in the final selection step for assignments will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. 

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.

Selection for the roster will be based on a technical and financial evaluation in the ratio of 70:30.  

Individual candidates are assessed on personal experience, portfolio, and proposed rates.

INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must complete the relevant rate for the category to which they are applying. All forms should be submitted as part of the single combined application file.

Rate Form: CPE-PV – Photography and Videography

Please provide your daily professional rates in local currency.