UNESCO’s global mission is to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication as a means to build peace, foster intercultural dialogue, reduce poverty, and achieve sustainable development. In the area of ​​culture, the two main areas of intervention are the protection and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage, and support for the arts and creativity.
In accordance with this global mandate, the UNESCO Office in Peru supports and contributes to the management and preservation of the country’s cultural and natural heritage through technical assistance and strategic projects. In partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), it is implementing the project “Establishing a Circular Economy for Sustainable Tourism in the Cusco Region, Peru” (2025–2032). This project is being carried out in the Cusco Region, specifically in the provinces of Urubamba and Cusco, and aims to promote sustainable tourism and contribute to heritage protection by strengthening the management of inorganic solid waste and fostering behavioral change in local communities and among tourists. This project will be implemented by the UNESCO office in Peru and Project Management Consulting (PMC).
The Cusco region is experiencing rapid population growth, high tourism pressure, and inadequate solid waste management, generating environmental challenges that affect both the quality of life of residents and the conservation of its three World Heritage sites.
The project explores solutions to address these challenges over the next seven years, applying differentiated strategies based on the types of inorganic solid waste generators. It also employs an intersectoral approach and Behavior-Centered Design (BCD) methodology to transform habits into sustainable practices.
The Project’s Sustainable Tourism Specialist will be based in Cusco and will report directly to the Project Coordinator, ensuring effective management aligned with the Organization’s objectives.

AIM

The objective of this consultancy is to contribute to the design and implementation of sustainable tourism strategies by integrating circular economy criteria under approaches of innovation and interculturality that contribute to the protection of the cultural and natural heritage of the Cusco region within the scope of intervention of the project.

MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the framework of the implementation of the Culture Programme, the UNESCO Office in Peru, under the authority of the Head of the UNESCO Office in Peru and the direct supervision of the National Culture Officer and the Project Coordinator, the Sustainable Tourism Specialist shall:

1. Develop a mapping of stakeholders in the tourism sector within the project’s area of ​​intervention and the inorganic solid waste management value chain. The mapping should include a characterization and classification of stakeholders, including their skills, interests, and existing capacities for implementing a circular economy approach.

2. Develop a baseline and monitoring indicators related to the application of the circular economy approach in tourism management, especially in the management of inorganic solid waste. Tasks include:
• Conducting assessments to understand the level of application of the circular economy approach by stakeholders in the tourism sector within the intervention area.
• Developing indicators to measure the implementation of the circular economy approach by stakeholders in the tourism sector, specifically in the management of inorganic solid waste. The proposal must be validated by the Project Coordinator and approved by the National Culture Officer.

3. Design and implement mechanisms to promote sustainable tourism with a circular economy approach among stakeholders in the tourism sector within the project’s scope. Tasks include:
• Conducting a national and/or international mapping of best practices in the tourism sector that have contributed to the adoption of a circular economy approach, specifically improving the management of inorganic solid waste. This mapping should emphasize contexts with World Heritage Sites.
• Proposing incentive tools and/or mechanisms that contribute to the adoption of a circular economy approach, especially in the management of inorganic solid waste, in close coordination with the behavior change specialist and the project’s technical team.
• Providing assistance to the project coordinator and technical team in designing pilot interventions for stakeholders in the tourism sector, using the mechanisms proposed above. This assistance will consist of support, systematization, documentation, supervision, and monitoring during the implementation of the pilot projects.

4. Lead the design and implementation of training and awareness-raising programs/tools for stakeholders in the tourism sector on sustainable tourism and the circular economy, including content on the protection of World Heritage. Tasks include:
• Developing training, capacity-building, and awareness-raising programs in both online (MOOC) and in-person formats. Content should be designed in close coordination with the project coordinator and technical team, in consultation with UNESCO specialists at the regional and headquarters levels, using resources and knowledge produced by UNESCO.
• Developing awareness-raising materials for the proper management of solid waste and the conservation of cultural and natural heritage for stakeholders in the tourism sector. Content should be developed in close coordination with the project coordinator and technical team, in consultation with UNESCO specialists at the regional and headquarters levels, using resources and knowledge produced by UNESCO.

5. Support the project’s positioning, coordination, and networking with stakeholders in the tourism sector. Tasks include:
• Participating in meetings and coordinating with local and national public institutions linked to the tourism sector, trade associations, tour operators and tourism service providers, and communities regarding activities related to the project’s objective. These actions must be authorized in advance by the project coordinator.
• Supporting the organization of the 1st Regional Forum on Circular Economy and Sustainable Tourism in coordination with the project coordinator.

6. Other functions that may be assigned by the project coordinator with prior authorization from the National Culture Officer.

COMPETENCES (Core / Managerial)

The professional, under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Culture Sector of the UNESCO Office in Peru, and Project Coordinator, must rigorously guarantee the effective implementation of the activities and the efficient management of the schedule by preparing the following deliverables:

Product 1

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Initial work plan, including methodology, timeline, and coordination mechanisms.
b) Baseline and monitoring indicators related to the application of the circular economy approach in tourism management.
c) Training certificates required by UNESCO: BSAFE, PSEA, and Ethics and Integrity.
d) Record of field visits to the project area.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

After 30 days

Product 2

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Map of stakeholders in the tourism sector and the value chain linked to the circular economy.
b) Matrix analyzing the capacities, roles, and interests of key stakeholders.
c) Proposal of at least three (3) mechanisms to promote the proper management of inorganic solid waste among stakeholders in the tourism sector.
d) Sources of verification organized and coded by product and outcome in digital format.
e) Record of field visits to the project area.
f) Other documents produced during the month.

At 60 days

Product 3

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Sustainable tourism strategy validated with key stakeholders, aligned with the Roadmap towards a Circular Economy by 2030.
b) Technical guidelines for the management of non-organic waste in tourist establishments.
c) Recommendations for good environmental, sociocultural, and economic practices adapted to the regional context.
d) Narrative report of progress in participatory validation.
e) Record of field visits to the project area.
f) Other documents produced during the month.

At 90 days

Product 4

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Preliminary design of the capacity-building program in sustainable tourism.
b) Methodological guides and pedagogical materials for training tour operators, communities, and local governments.
c) Other documents produced during the month.

At 120 days

Product 5

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Implementation of sustainable tourism pilot projects linked to the circular economy. Proposal of criteria for incorporating the circular economy into tourist routes and services in heritage areas.
b) Methodological description of the pilot projects, selection criteria, and stakeholders involved.
c) Technical and narrative evidence of the progress achieved.
d) Other documents produced during the month.

At 150 days

Product 6

Report on activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Monitoring of sustainable tourism pilot projects, with environmental (with emphasis on waste), sociocultural, and economic indicators.
b) Systematization of achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
c) Coordination for the development of a course on the MOOC platform (instructors, logistics, recordings, etc.).
d) Other documents produced during the month.

At 180 days

Product 7

Report on activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Monitoring of sustainable tourism pilot projects, with environmental (with emphasis on waste), sociocultural, and economic indicators.
b) Systematization of achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
c) Coordination for the development of a course on the MOOC platform (instructors, logistics, recordings, etc.).
d) Other documents produced during the month.

At 210 days

Product 8

Report on activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Monitoring of sustainable tourism pilot projects, with environmental (with emphasis on waste), sociocultural, and economic indicators.
b) Systematization of achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
c) Coordination for the development of a course on the MOOC platform (instructors, logistics, recordings, etc.).
d) Other documents produced during the month.

At 240 days.

Product 9

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Evaluation of sustainable tourism pilot projects, with environmental (waste, water, energy, biodiversity), sociocultural, and economic indicators.
b) Opportunities for improvement of the pilot projects and adjustments to the pilot projects.
c) Identification of beneficiaries of the first MOOC course.
d) Other documents produced during the month.

At 270 days

Product 10

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Monitoring of adjusted sustainable tourism pilot projects, with environmental (with emphasis on waste), sociocultural, and economic indicators.
b) Systematization of achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
c) Recording of the MOOC course.
d) Other documents produced during the month.

At 300 days

Product 11

Report on the activities carried out and the following annexes:
a) Proposal for scaling up and replicating successful pilot projects.
b) Pilot run of the MOOC course and report of opportunities for improvement.
c) Proposal from the perspective of Sustainable Tourism for the First Regional Forum on Circular Economy.
d) Digital folder of tools and products developed during the consultancy.
e) Other documents produced during the month.

At 330 days

(*) As part of Product 1, the consultant must submit certificates for the United Nations Security – BSAFE courses ( https://training.dss.un.org/) , Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – PSEA ( https://agora.unicef.org/) and Ethics and Integrity ( https://inspira.un.org/)

Any partial or complete products to be published and/or disseminated as official UNESCO material must have the Organization’s validation/approval. These products must include a table of contents, as well as drafts and/or the final draft. UNESCO’s validation and approval will be carried out by the Program Specialist with prior authorization from the Office Director.

REQUIREMENTS

Education
• University degree in Tourism, Forestry, Biology, or related fields.
• Postgraduate or specialized studies in Sustainable Tourism, Circular Economy, Heritage Management, Environmental Management, or Sustainable Development.

Work Experience
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in the private or public sector.
• Minimum three (3) years of general experience in projects related to sustainable tourism, environmental management, or the circular economy.
• Minimum two (2) prior experiences in environmental education promotion activities aimed at stakeholders in the tourism sector value chain.
• Completion of at least one (1) stakeholder mapping exercise in the tourism sector.
• Desirable prior experience in international cooperation projects with components of sustainability, the circular economy, tourism, or solid waste management, especially in areas with sociocultural diversity.

Languages
​​• Spanish (native language).
• English (spoken and written).
• Quechua (desirable).

Other
• Must reside in Cusco or be available to relocate during the consultancy period.
• Ability to write reports and summaries.

TRIPS

The professional must be available to travel within the country, according to the project’s needs. Travel costs will be covered by the Project, in accordance with UNESCO’s internal regulations.

DURATION

Please note that all candidates must complete an online application providing full and accurate information by visiting the website: https://careers.unesco.org/

The selection of candidates is based on compliance with the requirements of the call for applications and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a skills assessment interview.

During the selection process, UNESCO will use communication tools such as videoconferences, emails, and others.

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted and that those who are in the final selection stage will undergo an evaluation based on the information provided by their references.