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: - - 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 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