ICCROM is seeking proposals from qualified firms to perform an Executive Search for the position of Director-General of ICCROM.

Background

ICCROM is starting to look for a new inspirational leader with vision, management skills and global experience to direct the Organization beginning in 2024 as the final term of the current Director-General (DG) draws to a close.

The new DG will focus on world concerns for the preservation, safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage, providing innovative, effective responses to emerging issues and pioneering new approaches to the conservation of cultural heritage. Furthermore, the DG will establish, develop and strengthen effective relationships with Member States and partners, including coordination and cooperation with the governments of Member States. Finally, as the legal representative of the Organization, s/he will be responsible for the Organization’s management and is accountable to the Council of ICCROM for her/his administration and will lead approximately 45 multinational staff from its headquarters in Rome.

The Council of ICCROM (the Council) is committed to eliciting applications from the broadest diversity in terms of gender, nationality, ethnicity or belief. We are looking for a partner research firm to design and deliver a rigorous, competitive and transparent selection process.

To select an Executive Search firm from this tender, ICCROM will perform a selection based on the criteria reported below and in the full announcement.

Aims

The Executive Search firm should support ICCROM’s mandate as an intergovernmental organization working in service to its Member States to promote the conservation of all forms of cultural heritage in every region of the world. It operates in the spirit of the 2001 UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which states that “Respect for the diversity of cultures, tolerance, dialogue and cooperation, in a climate of mutual trust and understanding are among the best guarantees of international peace and security.”

The recruitment and selection process of the new DG will aim to:

  • be an open, transparent, and well-communicated advertisement in the most relevant professional circles for the post and also outside these;
     
  • be an accountable, rigorous, and effective selection process to select the most suitable candidate for the role.

Scope

The contractor will support and advise the end-to-end co-design and implementation of the recruitment and selection process for the new DG, including (but not limited to) the following phases:

  • Job design: support the Council in refining the profile to be researched (see the full announcement);
     
  • Recruitment and advertisement: ensure the widest dissemination of the vacancy in the most relevant contexts according to the defined profile;
     
  • Selection: ensure a first assessment of the candidates and ensure support for the whole process, from first interviews to contract proposal, in line with the organizational timeline.

The proposal should also include the possibility of having deep-dive meetings in order to assess the organizational needs and timeline before making a final decision.

Requirements

This is an invitation from ICCROM to submit a proposal to co-design, develop, and deploy the recruitment and selection process for the new DG. The requirements for this project are detailed in the sections below. Proposals must be submitted in English and in the specified format.

The proposal should provide estimated costs for co-designing, developing and deploying the recruitment and selection process for the new DG. The applicant should also provide a general outlook of potential costs for advertising the vacancy announcement on general and specific online and offline media, including headhunting.

Specific functionality requirements for the Executive Search Firm can be found in the full announcement (in the sidebar).

Confidentiality and Legal Aspects

All the information collected during all stages of the process will be considered highly confidential.

The recruitment and selection process must follow data protection principles (e.g., compliance with GDPR and/or other personal data protection regulations).

Timeframe

Applicants must submit their proposals by 5 pm CET, 31 January 2023.

The DG recruitment and selection process will be carried out over the course of 2023 with three key delivery dates:

  • Online interviews no later than May-July 2023
     
  • Face-to-face interviews no later than 12-13 September 2023
     
  • Appointment of the new DG, 25-26 October 2023

References and Past Projects

In order for ICCROM to evaluate the proposals, applicants should also include a portfolio of previous similar projects that they have worked on in the last three years. They must be accessible by ICCROM via link or attachment.

Proposals should also include a brief presentation of the company, specifying its values and vision.

The proposal should include at least two references from previous clients.

Additional Requirements

The nomination and selection process details are illustrated in the full announcement (in the sidebar).

ICCROM requests that proposals prepared in accordance with the attached guidelines be submitted no later than 5 pm CET, 31 January 2023.

The outcome of the tender will be communicated within ten working days of the deadline.

Receipt of Proposals

Proposals should be submitted to ICCROM no later than 5 pm CET, 31 January 2023. The proposals can be submitted in either electronic (pdf) or paper format (in a sealed envelope).

Paper Format – Hard Copy

Hard copy proposals should be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked by, "Recruit the new DG proposal – ICCROM," and should be addressed to:

Administration Unit – Human Resources Office
Attn. Mr Zeno FILIPPI
Human Resources Officer
ICCROM
Via di San Michele, 13
00153 – Rome, Italy

Electronic Format – Email

Electronic proposals should be submitted through email with the subject, "Recruit the new DG proposal – ICCROM," and should be addressed to: bureau@iccrom.org

The Organization regrets that it is not possible to provide information by telephone regarding the selection and appointment procedure. Requests for clarification regarding any of the points above should be directed in writing only via email to Mr Zeno Filippi.

Mr Zeno Filippi
Human Resources Officer
ICCROM 
Via di San Michele, 13 
00153 Rome, Italy