UNESCO Bangkok has a Call for Research Consultancy: Supporting the Integration of Intangible Cultural Heritage in University Courses in the Asia-Pacific Region. Proposals by qualified consultants invited.

Deadline: 8 July 2015

Consultancy timeframe: Approximately 15-20 weeks between July to November 2015

Background of the project:

“Intangible cultural heritage” or “ICH” is defined by the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage as “the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. ICH is manifested inter alia in the following domains: (a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible; (b) cultural heritage; (c) performing arts; (d) social practices, rituals and festive events; (e) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; (f) traditional craftsmanship”.

With an aim to support the integration of ICH studies in university courses at post-graduate level in the Asia-Pacific Region, UNESCO will organize a regional symposium in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2015 to bring together representatives from tertiary education institutions in the region. This symposium will provide a platform for the universities to exchange their knowledge, resources and experiences in the development of ICH programmes at the post-graduate level.

As part of the activity implementation, the selected consultant will conduct a situational analysis on topics which are detailed below in “Role of the consultant”. The analysis results will be presented at the symposium to enable the participants to gain a better understanding of the situation related to the implementation of ICH post-graduate programmes by universities in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Role of the consultant:

1. Conduct research, taking into consideration an equitable geographic representation of countries across the Asia-Pacific Region, of post-graduate degrees focusing on intangible cultural heritage (ICH). In particular the consultant shall:

• a. Create a list of universities in the Asia-Pacific Region that are active in teaching ICH at post-graduate level. Specify institutional infrastructures (for examples, department or faculty) that offer these studies as well as their programme requirements (for example, requirements focusing on coursework, field visits, and/or thesis completion).


• b. Examine and assess curricular contents and teaching materials as well as delivery modalities (instructors and teaching methods) employed by a selection of universities (to be agreed upon with UNESCO) in implementing their ICH education programs.


• c. Analyze whether the above programmes reflect, employ or refer to the basic principles of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (including, inter alia, community-based identification, inventorying and safeguarding of ICH, viability and the dynamic nature of ICH, ICH and sustainable development. Please refer to Annex II for more details.)


• d. Produce a report with an executive summary to present the results of the undertaken situational analysis per Article 1 a. b. and c. (indicative maximum number of pages, including an executive summary: 40 pages).

2. Assist with the organization of the two-day regional symposium in Bangkok, Thailand, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in November 2015.

• a. Contribute to the development of the symposium agenda in collaboration with UNESCO Bangkok;


• b. Produce and present a 45-minute PowerPoint file to report the undertaken situational analysis per Article 1 at the symposium;


• c. Facilitate and moderate the presentations and plenary sessions during the two-day symposium;


• d. Produce a meeting report with an executive summary to include the participants’ inputs and overall symposium outcomes (indicative maximum number of pages, including an executive summary: 20 pages).

3. Provide UNESCO with the following documents:

• a. Preliminary list of universities in the Asia-Pacific Region that are active in teaching ICH at post-graduate level per Article 1 a. by 31 July 2015.


• b. Report on the situation analysis as stated in Article 1 d. by 30 September 2015.


• c. Meeting report as stated in Article 3 d. by 10 November 2015.

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge in ICH and familiarization with the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.


• Knowledge and experience related to education programmes at post-graduate level in the Asia-Pacific Region.


• Wide network with universities in the Asia-Pacific Region.


• Excellent research and analytical skills.


• Excellent writing and reporting skills in English.

Contractual arrangement: Contract for services

SEE website for all further details on how to apply.