Archival Conservation Consultant

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Position: Archival Conservation Consultant
Organization: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
Dates of internship: Start date preferably the week of 16 or 23 Novembre
Duration: 3 months
Location: Paris, France - mostly in-person; teleworking is permitted when on-site presence is not
required to complete tasks.
Level of assignment and Salary: SB3A, 2770 euros per month (subject to applicable social charges)
Deadline to apply: Open until filled.

Work Assignment:
Under the supervision of the Reference Archivist and the general direction of the Chief Archivist in the UNESCO Archives, Library, and Records Management unit (DBS/SAA/ALR), work in close collaboration with archives staff to play a key role in the project described below.

As part of an international task force of archival and conservation specialists working in institutions in France, Indonesia, and Austria, participate in a pilot project aiming to develop a treatment plan for remedial conservation and restoration/digitization of 20th century records damaged in a fire at UNESCO headquarters in 1984. Please note, the Consultant will not be responsible for developing the treatment plan. The tasks of the Archival Conservation Consultant include the following:
• Working from existing metadata, create an inventory of burnt files dating from the 1950s to 1980s in the UNESCO Archives.
• Develop a local (UNESCO) protocol for safe handling of the burnt archives, possibly working with partner institutions and/or by consulting with conservation specialists.
• Develop and undertake a general condition assessment of the burnt archives by developing a table of levels of degradation, possibly working with partner institutions and/or by consulting with conservation specialists.
• Contribute to the development of a bibliography on the remedial conservation, restoration, and treatment of burnt archives, including documenting cases of treatment, restoration, or digitization of burnt archives.
• Undertake other tasks and initiatives related to the UNESCO burnt archives as needed.
• Note that the burnt archives are stored in UNESCO's Annex Archives, about 10 minutes away by foot from UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The Consultant will principally work in the Annex Archives, sometimes without supervision, and may, from time to time, work in the headquarters. The Consultant may find themselves regularly travelling between the two sites.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
• Formal training in archival studies and/or conservation studies.
• Completion of coursework in archival conservation.

WORK EXPERIENCE
• Experience creating inventories within an archival or records management context.
• Experience handling fragile archival documents.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Familiarity with or training in safe handling procedures for archival documents, including fragile or damaged records.
• Rigorous attention to detail.
• Flexibility and teamwork.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work in an international/multicultural environment are also required.
• Technological awareness and IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Teams, Word, Excel etc.) and basic ability to work with or learn AI-powered tools.

LANGUAGES
• Fluency in English or French and working knowledge of the other language.
Applicants must have the right to work in France. UNESCO will not assist with work visas or relocations.

TO APPLY:
Please send a letter of motivation and CV, in either French or English, with subject line "Application - Archival conservation consultant" or « Candidature - Consultant en conservation des archives » to: archives@unesco.org. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.