Cultural Heritage expert – Turkey

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Cultural Heritage expert for a transport, engineering consultancy assignment financed by EBRD in Turkey.

Aninver Development Partners is seeking a qualified Cultural Heritage expert for an upcoming transport and engineering assignment in Turkey. Funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the project focuses on conducting comprehensive due diligence for major urban metro line extensions, ensuring robust technical, environmental, and social preparation.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in evaluating infrastructure impacts on local heritage, ensuring full alignment with international lender standards and national statutory requirements. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to sustainable urban mobility development in Turkey while safeguarding historical and cultural assets.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Assess potential impacts of metro line construction and station development on cultural heritage and archaeology.
• Ensure project compliance with EBRD Environmental and Social Requirements, specifically regarding cultural heritage protection.
• Integrate heritage mitigation measures into the overarching environmental and social management framework.
• Coordinate effectively with local authorities, project promoters, and multidisciplinary due diligence teams.

Scope of work

• Review existing project documentation, baseline studies, and urban designs for potential heritage sensitivities.
• Conduct environmental and social due diligence (ESDD) focusing on cultural heritage risks along the proposed alignments.
• Evaluate alignment with national legislation and lender standards for preserving tangible and intangible cultural assets.
• Contribute to the drafting of action plans, non-technical summaries, and stakeholder engagement frameworks.
• Advise engineering and construction teams on chance find procedures and heritage protection protocols.

Your role as Cultural Heritage expert

• Perform detailed baseline assessments of tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets in the project corridors.
• Review alignment plans, station locations, and surface works to identify direct and indirect risks to historical sites.
• Prepare comprehensive cultural heritage sections for environmental and social due diligence reports.
• Develop practical mitigation measures and robust chance find procedures for construction phases.
• Collaborate with environmental and social specialists to integrate heritage safeguards into action plans.
• Engage with relevant local authorities and stakeholders regarding cultural heritage preservation.
• Provide technical inputs on tunneling and surface construction methodologies to minimize vibration and structural risks to historical structures.

Requirements

• Education: B.Sc. degree in relevant sector
• Good knowledge and understanding of EBRD's ESR 8 and national requirements
• Languages: Fluent in English. Fluency in Turkish would be preferable

Desirable

• Preferred minimum of 5 years' experience in similar projects within the infrastructure sector
• Fluency in Turkish is highly desirable.
• Previous experience on EBRD-funded or international financial institution (IFI) infrastructure projects in Turkey.

An experienced Cultural Heritage expert with a strong background in transport infrastructure projects, deep knowledge of EBRD policies, and regional expertise in Turkey.

Assignment details

• Location: Turkey
• Financed by: EBRD
• Sector: Transport, engineering
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a EBRD-financed project in Turkey.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.