About the opportunity
The UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, based in New Delhi, oversees programmes and partnerships across India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. To amplify the visibility and impact of its work, the office is seeking qualified individual consultants and registered agencies/firms to join a creative services roster. Rostered candidates will be selected for projects on an ‘on-call’ basis to provide professional photography and videography services for field missions, events, workshops, and meetings. The roster will be valid from October 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, or until further notice. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee assignments.
Salary and benefits
- Compensated on an on-call project basis according to agreed daily professional rates.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile international development communications and media projects.
- Professional exposure across South Asia supporting diverse UNESCO programme sectors.
Who can apply?
- Open to individual candidates and registered agencies/firms of any nationality.
- Individual candidates must be based in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, or Bangladesh and be able to provide services in person.
- Agencies must be able to deploy personnel to the relevant country of assignment.
- Requires a university degree and/or professional training in photography, videography, film, photojournalism, communications, or related fields.
- Requires a minimum of three years of demonstrable professional experience in photography and/or videography, including event coverage and field documentation.
- Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
Required documents
- Completed Employment History Form
- Cover letter indicating category code CPE-PV, region or country of base, and availability regions
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or organisational profile (agencies must submit CVs of at least two key personnel)
- Portfolio showcasing at least three recent work samples with brief project descriptions and role details
- Standard service rate forms completed and quoted in local currency
When to apply
- Application deadline: September 21, 2026 (Midnight UTC+5 Time).
- Roster validity period: October 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
How to apply
- Create or log in to your account on the UNESCO careers website.
- Download and complete the Employment History Form.
- Prepare your cover letter, CV or organisational profile, portfolio, and standard service rate forms.
- Combine all application items into a single file and upload it under the Employment History attachment section.
- Complete or update your Candidate Profile, save, and submit your application.
Additional information
- All copyright and intellectual property rights in materials produced shall vest in UNESCO.
- AI-generated images or videos are strictly prohibited.
- Selection is based on a technical and financial evaluation ratio of 70:30.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for freelance photographers, videographers, or media agencies with at least three years of professional documentation or photojournalism experience.
- Strong fit for media professionals based in South Asia who have a portfolio in development work, event coverage, or international organizations.
- Great opportunity for creative professionals proficient in industry-standard editing software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro.
What should you think carefully about?
- Inclusion in the roster is on an on-call basis and does not guarantee any assignment or minimum income.
- Applicants must compile and upload multiple detailed documents, including rate forms and portfolios, into a single file.
- Travel-related costs for assignments outside your home country are subject to separate proposals and terms.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This roster placement fits media professionals looking to build or expand their portfolio with high-profile international development work without committing to a full-time staff contract. It offers flexible, project-based engagement across South Asia that can complement independent freelance practices or agency operations.
Our take
Experienced photographers and videographers based in South Asia with strong digital portfolios and a background in event or field documentation should apply before the September 21, 2026 deadline. Those seeking guaranteed full-time employment should note that this role offers on-call project assignments only.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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