Service Contract
Organizational Context
UNESCO is seeking conference technicians to join its roster of audiovisual professionals. These consultants will be engaged for occasional assignments on a daily basis to support conferences, meetings, ceremonies, and other events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Services may include in-person, online, or hybrid formats, involving sound reinforcement, projection, video capture, recording, videoconferencing, and simultaneous interpretation systems. Consultants will work under supervision, coordinating with various teams and external providers.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of this role is to provide expert technical support for audiovisual aspects of events held at UNESCO Headquarters. Consultants will be responsible for the technical preparation, operation, and close-out of sessions, ensuring seamless execution of sound, video, projection, and interpretation systems. This includes managing equipment, troubleshooting technical issues, and assisting participants and speakers. The role requires adaptability to different event formats, equipment, and room configurations, contributing to the successful delivery of both in-person and virtual or hybrid meetings. The objective is to maintain high standards of audiovisual quality and technical reliability throughout all assigned events.
Responsibilities
Consultants will be responsible for reviewing technical specifications and event requirements, liaising with coordinators to clarify needs, and identifying potential constraints. This includes preparing, installing, configuring, and testing a wide range of audiovisual equipment such as microphones, conference systems, audio consoles, interpretation systems, projectors, screens, computers, cameras, and recording devices. They will also check audio/video signal chains, network connections, and digital audio networks, and configure/test videoconferencing platforms. During sessions, consultants will operate equipment, monitor signal quality, adjust audio levels, manage presentations, operate cameras, and provide technical assistance to users. They must diagnose and resolve technical incidents promptly, follow operational and safety procedures, and ensure proper shutdown and storage of equipment. Reporting malfunctions and relevant information for service continuity is also required.
Work Experience
Practical experience in the technical preparation and operation of conferences, meetings, or events is essential. Candidates should have experience with professional audiovisual equipment for in-person, hybrid, or online events. Experience across multiple technical areas such as sound, video, projection, videoconferencing, video capture, and recording is expected. Experience with multilingual conferences or in an international institutional setting is a plus.
Skills
Proficiency in professional audio and video signal chains is necessary. Ability to install, configure, test, and operate diverse audiovisual equipment is crucial. Skills in using and supporting videoconferencing platforms are required. Familiarity with the Windows environment and ability to configure related software and hardware are important. Candidates must be able to assess and maintain audio/video signal quality, understand digital audio networks, and quickly diagnose and resolve technical incidents. Versatility, adaptability to new technologies, service orientation, and teamwork are key.