Job Title: Project Officer
Job type: Staff position
Grade: IP-3
Duty Station: Rome, Italy
Type of contract: Fixed-Term
Term: One year (Renewable depending on funds availability – six-month probation period)
Closing date: 31-AUG-2025 (11:59 PM CET)
Overview of the Functions of the Post
ICCROM seeks a Project Officer in its Headquarters in Rome to lead, coordinate and deliver the project “Towards Sustainable Development in Africa: Transformative Capacity Building to Advance Craftmanship in Cultural Heritage Conservation” in line with the Organization’s Strategic Directions and Priority Areas.
Key Accountabilities
The Project Officer will manage the Project, with the functions of the Project Coordinator. The post is based at the ICCROM Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Within delegated authority, the Project Officer will be responsible for the following primary duties:
Lead and coordinate the project, providing intellectual, strategic and day-to-day operational management in planning and implementing activities, ensuring proper management of funds and coherence with the project’s stated goals, logical framework and ICCROM’s mission.
Ensure the project is delivered in line with ICCROM’s Strategic Directions and Priority Areas, and the Mattei Plan objectives of the Italian Government, in close collaboration with major partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.
Supervise all stages of implementation to ensure timely delivery and quality control of project phases, including inception, research, hands-on training, seed grants, and cascading capacity-building activities and workshops, toolkit development, certification processes, and other related outputs and events.
Ensure the establishment of a reliable and meaningful monitoring and evaluation system to track the project’s socio-economic and environmental impacts and ensure that it achieves its expected outputs effectively and sustainably.
Coordinate all the project’s activities and expected outputs, in respect of defined roles and responsibilities, with Fabbrica di San Pietro of the Holy See and the local partners in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Egypt, and Tunisia, in line with the project’s logical framework and workplans.
Coordinate, in close collaboration with Fabbrica di San Pietro of the Holy See, intercultural dialogue and collaborative learning by facilitating exchange and transfer of knowledge between African artisans and craftsmasters in the Vatican, and between partner institutions across the Holy See, Italy and selected African countries ( Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Egypt, and Tunisia).
Ensure the project aligns with donor expectations and is at the forefront of new developments, trends and shifts in conservation activities and community engagement, providing effective thought leadership in cultural heritage management.
Mobilize voluntary contributions in accordance with ICCROM priorities and resource mobilization targets to ensure the project’s sustainability for the long-term.
Guide and support all project personnel, coordinating, cultivating and evaluating a collaborative and high-performance team culture. Ensure an enabling environment, and assist team members in realizing and developing their potential.
Under the guidance of the Director-General, ensure that transparent reports on project expenditures, progress, and impact are provided to the Italian Government and other stakeholders in a timely manner.
- Lead risk analysis and adaptive planning to respond to changing political, environmental, or institutional contexts.
Liaise with other Project and Programme Officers as well as with Strategic Planning, Partnerships and Communications colleagues to ensure alignment with ICCROM’s Strategic Framework as well as the effective management of the main partnerships involved in the implementation of the project through regular coordination meetings, progress reviews, and collaborative multi-disciplinary team efforts.
Coordinate and collaborate with the Finance and Administration colleagues to ensure effective budgetary, technical and operational assistance, including procurement, logistics, and the disbursement of funds according to the workplan and responsibilities of each partner.
Under the delegation of the Director-General, present the project at international conferences, missions, and meetings to enhance its reputation and visibility.
- Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the staff member’s background and experience and the needs of the Organization.
Required qualifications:
Education
- Advanced University Degree in project management, international relations, development studies, business administration, or related field.
- A university degree in heritage conservation, heritage studies, cultural entrepreneurship or related areas is a plus.
Work experience
Minimum 8 years of international experience in budget and resource management (€1M+), planning and implementing projects with complex multi-country logistics, monitoring and evaluation, and donor reporting.
Track record in managing and developing innovative heritage conservation and/or cultural programmes in multicultural settings.
Demonstrated successful experience in the African continent is a plus.
Skills and Knowledge
- Strong understanding of capacity building, intercultural education, and business incubation approaches.
- Knowledge of the cultural dimension in international relations, and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships across a political landscape.
Good understanding of the UN Common System.
Competencies
Results focus: takes accountability for delivering agreed-upon results in service of the strategic directions and plans, and demonstrates an understanding of how these contribute to the goals of ICCROM.
Planning and organizing: establishes a realistic and systematic course of action to accomplish objectives, determines priorities, and allocates resources effectively.
Innovating and embracing change: demonstrates initiative and creativity, developing new ideas and approaches and taking the initiative when required. Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes.
Decision making: forms sound, evidence-based judgments, makes choices, assesses risks to delivery, and takes accountability for results. Takes responsibility for one’s own words and actions and can be relied upon consistently.
Building and maintaining relationships: builds and maintains relationships outside own immediate team, partnerships and networks to achieve common goals.
Languages
Fluency in English and French, both oral and written, with knowledge of any other language as an advantage. Working knowledge of Italian is strongly desirable, or a commitment to acquire it quickly.
Remuneration
The salary and the allowances are net of taxes but subject to various deductions, such as the employee’s portion for medical insurance and contribution to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. For full details, you can visit Professional and Higher Categories Salary Scales.
Selection and Recruitment Process
Send completed applications in English no later than 31-AGO-2025 to: recruitment@iccrom.org
Please state the position title (Project Officer) in the subject, and include the following documents in PDF format:
Motivation letter
Updated CV in English
Complete Personal History Form (P11)
Applications missing any of the above elements will not be considered. No modifications can be made to the application submitted. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted within two weeks after the deadline, and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
ICCROM recalls that paramount consideration in appointing staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. ICCROM applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ICCROM is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution and gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, ICCROM is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.