Call for Proposal: National Consultant - Documentary Heritage Emergency Intervention for TeleLiban Archives

Background

TeleLiban, Lebanon's first state television, is under threat of losing its valuable archives due to lack of investment in restoration and preservation. These archives, rich in drama, cultural, artistic, and historical content, are crucial for preserving the memory of Lebanon and the Arab region.

TeleLiban's archives are currently in a critical state where many audio-visual tapes cannot be converted or accessible due to the old format of their equipment used, which represent a significant historical and cultural resource.

In response to a request from the Lebanese Minister of Information, UNESCO Multisectural Regional Office in Beirut, with a financial contribution from ALIPH Foundation, is supporting TeleLiban in the preservation and digitization of its historical archives, namely in the protection and safeguarding of the old format and in danger of their total damages of the audio-visual tapes. A national consultant will be identified, with the support of TL archives team members (6), to assess the current archives equipment, conduct an inventory, develop a comprehensive methodological approach for organizing, cataloging, and preserving these valuable materials according to international standards. Additionally, the consultant will provide needed training to TeleLiban's staff on new archival techniques, ensuring the long-term preservation of this cultural heritage and its public accessibility.

To this end, UNESCO aims to bolster TeleLiban's archival efforts by implementing urgent measures to safeguard its audiovisual materials. These measures include cleaning and digitizing of undamaged materials and conducting a comprehensive inventory of the archives as well as the equipment and parts.

Purpose of Assignment

UNESCO is seeking to contract a national consultant to provide support in the implementation of the project activities through the development of an action plan for the TeleLiban Archives and through overseeing its implementation according to international standards.

Tasks and Expected Outputs

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for the Arab States in Beirut and the direct supervision of the Communication and Information National Professional Officer, the Individual Consultant shall carry out the following tasks, in close coordination with UNESCO-Beirut Office:

1. Assess and review the current state of the archives, including the condition of the audiovisual materials, the availability of equipment, and the existing preservation practices;

2. Develop a methodological approach for organizing, cataloging, and preserving archival materials;

3. Prioritize and link the available archives to the Memory of the World nomination file;

4. Implement best practices and standards taking advantage of UNESCO's expertise;

5. Provide recommendations for audio visual tapes conversion and digitization and oversee its implementation;

6. Collaborate with TeleLiban Archives team as well as UNESCO experts;

7. Train TeleLiban Archives staff members on new archival techniques and methodologies ;

8. Present to UNESCO a monthly report that includes all the tasks done by the consultant as well as the team members.

Contractual Period

The duration of the assignment is tentatively from 16 October 2024 to 15 August 2025 on a 2 to 3 days per week basis.

Expected Deliverables

1. An initial assessment of the status of the Archives;

2. A methodological approach for organizing, digitizing, cataloging, and preserving archival materials;

3. Progress reports on the implementation of the methodologic approach and tapes conversation recommendations specifying the number of tapes converted, digitized and classified along with any challenges;

4. Final report detailing all activities conducted throughout the assignment, including but not limited to available tapes with its status, inventory, challenges, recommendations, materials produced during the assignment, etc.

Payments

The payment will be done by deliverable and released upon confirmation by the supervisor of satisfactory services, acceptance of expected deliverables, and receipt of signed payment claims.

Qualifications and Competencies

1. Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in archive science, documentation, library science, or a relevant field;

• At least 7 years' experience in an archival setting, with a focus on the management and preservation of records and documents;

• Experience with digital records management and software tools according to international standards;

• Fluency in oral, reading, and written Arabic and English;

• Strong communication skills;

• Flexibility and adaptability skills to respond to project changes and complexities;

• Demonstrated professionalism and ethics.

1. Desirable qualifications

• Previous work experience with the United Nations or other international organizations;

• Experience in training and mentoring staff;

• Experience with database creation and management.

Technical and Financial Proposal

Interested candidates are requested to submit to [email protected], with cc to [email protected]the following:

1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae;

2. A proposed plan on the approach for the assignment (workplan, risk mitigation,…etc);

3. A financial proposal breakdown based on deliverables.