Vacancies

The Blue Shield is an international advisory body to UNESCO on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict. It currently has 34 national and regional committees (with more under construction).

It was envisioned in 1953 by the then Director General of UNESCO as the “Red Cross for Cultural Property” a name modified by the drafters of what was to become the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, to the “Blue and White Shield” reflecting the emblem they had chosen for the Convention. However, it was not until 1996 that the major international organisations responsible for cultural heritage (the International Council of Museums [ICOM], the International Council on Monuments and Sites [ICOMOS], the International Council on Archives [ICA], and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions [IFLA], now known as “the founding four” or FF) finally established the organisation.

The Blue Shield is governed by a nine-strong Board made up of four representatives of the FF, four members elected by the national committees, and a President directly elected by the national committees and FF. Between meetings of the Board, day-to-day activity is overseen by a small sub-committee of the Board known as the Bureau. The Board, National Committees, and Secretariat meet once a year as a General Assembly. It has an increasing number of national committees, organised and supported by the Blue Shield Board and a small Secretariat (known as Blue Shield International, or BSI) partly supported through the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection & Peace at Newcastle University (UK).

The Blue Shield is “committed to the protection of the world’s cultural property and is concerned with the protection of cultural and natural heritage, tangible and intangible, in the event of armed conflict, natural- or human-made disaster.” It works to bring together the heritage, humanitarian, and uniformed sectors (e.g., armed forces, emergency responders) for the common goal of heritage protection in crisis to support affect communities worldwide.

Blue Shield International is responsible for global projects protecting heritage in crisis zones and supporting the implementation on international humanitarian law. Together with the national committees, it is a unique and highly specialised network. No other national or international organisation has this expertise.

The Financial Controller, working with the Secretariat and Director, will play a pivotal role that is core to the operations of the Blue Shield at the international level. The Controller will be managed by the President, and will work closely with the Director, Head of Operations and Technical Directors on each Project.

As the ideal candidate you will be a qualified accountant with strong experience as a Financial Controller, very familiar using multi-ledger QuickBooks accounting. The strongest candidates will have experience working as part of an international charity and will be familiar with the management of grants from the UK and the EU as well as independent donors. Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience operating under Dutch, UK or Republic of Ireland jurisdictions.

You will have a commitment to Blue Shield’s mission of cultural heritage protection in crisis as a vehicle for the implementation of international law, the promotion of peace, and the protection of communities worldwide. The primary working language of the Blue Shield is English: you must be able to fluently communicate in verbally and in writing. You can work remotely but may be required to travel from time to time.

You will be joining the team during a period of positive change. The contract will initially be for one year; this will then be reviewed annually against donor requirements which may result in the possibility of further extension.

Ideally you would be available to join the team immediately.

•  The post will be remunerated at 250 € per day for a minimum of 40 days between 1 March 2026 and 31 March 2027. An additional 40 days may be required dependent on grant allocation.

• There is no fixed pattern of working hours, but the primary working time zones are UK / Europe.

• The post holder can work remotely but may have to travel for the annual financial audit (travel and subsistence covered).

If you would like to discuss the role please contact Emma Cunliffe, Head of Operations, on . 

1. Please submit
   – a CV
   – cover letter outlining relevant experience and how you meet the role description,
   – available start date / notice period, and
   – contact details for two referees, to

   Dr Emma Cunliffe, Head of Operations (Interim) at    

2. Applications deadline: 10.00 AM (UTC+1), Wednesday 11 February 2026.

3. Shortlisting will take place that week.

4. Interviews will take place on 18 February 2026 on Teams.
   • Ability to meet the criteria will be determined from CV and covering letter, and during interview.
   • Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide copies of their ID and relevant qualification certificates prior to interview.
   • Blue Shield may contact referees prior to interview. Please let us know if you would prefer us to only contact them if you are the successful candidate.
   • Please note, we cannot accept letters of reference provided by applicants.
5. Please contact Emma Cunliffe (email above) to discuss alternative interview arrangements if required.

Blue Shield may choose not to shortlist candidates from countries facing financial sanctions.

The contractor will be responsible for managing their own tax obligations and legal compliance in the country in which they are based.

The Blue Shield cannot provide visa sponsorship or relocation support.

Ideally the successful candidate will be available for an immediate start on or around w/c 02 March 2026.