I. Service required
International consultant required:
Archeological Park System in Albania (2.2)
Area of Assignment: Culture and Heritage for
Social and Economic Development
Current Grade:
Approved Grade:
Position Classified by:
Classification Approved by:
Department: UN Country Office, Albania
Reports to: UNESCO NPO, in coordination with
JP Coordinator
Expected Starting date: 1 August 2009
II. Organizational Context
Albania has been described as the last secret of Europe. Almost unknown internationally, its
rich and diverse cultural heritage is undervalued within the country, much of it having been
suppressed or neglected during the long years of isolation. Today’s reality is very different: two
current, and three potential, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are complemented by extremely
valuable intangible cultural heritage, which testify to the meeting of different peoples and
civilizations, and a history of harmonious coexistence over nearly three millennia.
This peaceful multicultural coexistence presents Albania with a unique opportunity: to utilize its
culture as an instrument in shaping its new national identity, as its government, economy and
people move away from isolation to a greater participation on the world’s stage. This identity is
central to social and economic renewal and growth, both at home and abroad. As the image of
Albania returns to a more stable and positive one, Albania’s diverse heritage can be exploited
for not just social and economic development, but for human development as well. However,
fundamental changes still need to occur at all levels of government and society for Albania’s
new national identity to be recognized as interrelated with culture. Most importantly, there is a
lack of awareness of how culture can be used as a tool for sustainable development, and
conversely, how such development can be used as a catalyst for culture.
Project Summary:
The Joint Programme “Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development” was
primarily designed to achieve outcomes derived from the national priorities of Albania that are
consistent with the Millennium Development Goals and the One UN programme, approved by
the Albanian Government in October 2007. Sectoral priorities for culture and culture-related
issues in Albania focus predominantly on rehabilitating cultural monuments, with a secondary
priority for leveraging Albania’s culture as a tourist attraction. Joint programme outcomes were
designed to expand these two concerns to meet wider development objectives.
As the lead agency in charge of culture in Albania, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and
Sports is the primary implementing partner for this joint programme of activities between UNDP
and UNESCO. Other national government bodies, such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Cultural Monuments and the
National Tourism Organization, will be involved as implementing partners. Other actors, such as
civil society organizations, universities, municipalities and the private sector, will also contribute
towards the achievement of these joint programme outcomes.
The proposed joint programme was built upon five achievable results, and based on national,
sub-national and sectoral priorities for culture and development:
1. Achieve a transparent and accountable government, developing and implementing
effective national policies on culture and cultural-related issues
2. Create an enabling environment to ensure people’s access to cultural heritage and
participation in cultural heritage decision-making at the local, regional and national
levels
3. Increase capacities to manage, preserve and present cultural heritage and cultural
industries in an efficient, transparent, accountable and equitable manner
4. Assure an increased role of cultural heritage in social and economic opportunities and in
engaging community participation in regional and local development strategies
5. Promote an increased awareness of Albania’s cultural heritage internationally as a
means to promote cultural understanding and religious tolerance
In this context, Albania’s archaeological park system will be one of the targets of intervention in
the framework of the UN joint program. JP intends to upgrade the Albania’s archaeological park
system to better safeguard Albania’s cultural heritage and to ensure environmental
sustainability. Located relatively far away from the capital, each archaeological park experiences
different levels of autonomy in decision-making on security, budgeting, visitor services, and
preservation. A different approach needs to be identified for the archaeological park system, one
that takes into consideration the unique environment and community within which each park
resides. Innovative best practices should be applied to involve these “gateway communities”
near the parks and sensitize them to the natural and cultural patrimony entrusted to them,
guaranteeing environmental sustainability for the immediate area surrounding the parks.
To examine the needs of the archaeological park system in Albania and provide the JP and
stakeholders with the relevant recommendations, the UNESCO Office in Venice, through its
Antenna Office in Tirana, will be hiring an International consultant. The Int’l consultant will
closely work with the local consultant who has already been selected and is working on the
background study for the archaeological parks. Both the International and the local consultants
will assist the CHSED Joint Programme and UNESCO National Professional Officer by following
up with and accomplishing the goals foreseen in the framework of this activity.
III. Tasks / Key Results Expected
The International consultant for the archaeological parks will be in
charge of the activities foreseen in the framework of the activity
2.2.1 for the assessment of the fiscal, management and
governance structure of the archaeological parks and activity
2.2.2 for the creation of the risk management plans. S/he will
consult with all relevant stakeholders and closely cooperate with
and feed relevant information to the CHSED Joint Programme
team. The position may be extended depending on emerging
Working
relations
Reports directly
to UNESCO, in
collaboration
with the CHSED
Joint
Programme
team.
Time
(%)
needs of the project.
TASK 1
Draft a profound study on the fiscal, management, and
governance structure of the archaeological park system in
Albania in general and on the two pilot JP archaeological
parks Apollonia and Antigonea in particular; including
concrete and achievable recommendations/measures:
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50
for a clear and effective administrative structure from the
ministry down to the park administration, and including
scientific concerns, giving clear rights and responsibilities
to each stakeholder;
for the sustainable financing of Albania’s archaeological
park system;
for an efficient management and staffing in terms of
conservation, research and visitors
for public relations, education and communication.
Share the recommendations with the Government of Albania
and the other stakeholders.
Task 2
50
Develop and submit comprehensive risk management plans
for Apollonia and Antigonea to improve security and mitigate
risk at these two pilot archaeological parks.
Develop a detailed plan on sensitizing the local community
around the parks about the natural and cultural heritage;
Total working days are 30 days over a 4-months period
IV. Main Competencies
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Minimum of 5 years experience with the management of an archaeological site in
responsible or advisory capacity:
Demonstrated familiarity with best practices in archaeological park management in the
region;
Exposure to international standards of conservation, preservation and park
management;
Sound understanding of the relationship between archaeological parks and the
“gateway” community;
Scientific background in archaeology preferable;
Sound understanding of Albania’s policies on culture and heritage, and familiarity with
the Albanian archaeological parks system and management;
Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural environment;
Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Flexible to travel to the field;
Excellent computer/information systems skills.
V. Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
Master degree in Cultural Management (preferably with
specialization on site management), Archaeology, History, or
Art History.
Experience:
10 years of relevant working experience.
Language Requirements:
Excellent spoken and written English, particularly with regards
to archaeological terminology; preferably knowledge of
Albanian language;
VI. Signatures- Post Description Certification
Incumbent (if applicable)
Name
Supervisor
Signature
Date
Name / Title
Chief Division/Section
Signature
Date
Name / Title
Signature
Date
VII. How to apply
Applications (Letter of Intent, CV, support documents in English) shall be e-mailed to Mrs. Zhulieta
Harasani, z.harasani@unesco.org by 5 July 2009, 5:00 p.m. (Albania Local Time), with the following
reference:
REF: International Expert for the Archaeological Park System in Albania
‘Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development’
More info on the UN Joint Program can be found at: www.un.org.al