Cultural Heritage Specialist – Tajikistan

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Cultural Heritage Specialist for a consultancy assignment financed by Asian Development Bank - AsDB26520TJK1 in Tajikistan.

Aninver Development Partners is preparing a proposal for an upcoming tourism development initiative in Tajikistan supported by the Asian Development Bank. The assignment aims to catalyze sustainable tourism growth, enhance regional destination management, and prepare robust feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for prioritized investments tied to the country's rich historical and natural assets.

To support this initiative, we are seeking a qualified Cultural Heritage Specialist to provide critical expertise on heritage preservation, impact assessments, and conservation strategies. The expert will ensure that all proposed tourism infrastructure and destination management plans respect and protect local cultural resources in alignment with international standards and multilateral development bank requirements.

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

• Conduct thorough cultural heritage assessments for proposed tourism investment projects.
• Ensure alignment of project designs with international heritage conservation and management standards.
• Integrate heritage preservation measures into regional tourism master plans and feasibility studies.

Scope of work

• Prepare a Strategic Tourism Assessment aligned with Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination standards.
• Develop comprehensive Rural, Urban, and Landscape Tourism Master Plans and related guidelines.
• Identify, assess, and design capital investments required to support the destination vision.
• Conduct environmental and social scoping and risk screening in accordance with applicable standards.
• Contribute to feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs, and due diligence packages for prioritized projects.

Your role as Cultural Heritage Specialist

• Lead cultural heritage due diligence and impact assessments for designated project areas.
• Evaluate potential risks to historical, archaeological, and cultural assets resulting from proposed tourism infrastructure.
• Collaborate with engineering, environmental, and social safeguard teams to integrate mitigation measures into project designs.
• Ensure compliance with multilateral development bank safeguard requirements regarding physical and cultural resources.
• Coordinate with national and local stakeholders on heritage preservation protocols and management frameworks.
• Contribute technical inputs to feasibility reports, master plans, and project documentation.

Requirements

• Education: Post-graduate degree in archaeology, conservation, or heritage management
• Languages: Proficiency in English

Desirable

• 10+ years in World Heritage HIA, MDB experience preferred
• Previous professional experience in Central Asia or mountainous developing contexts.
• Familiarity with Asian Development Bank safeguard policies and operational procedures.

An experienced Cultural Heritage Specialist with a strong background in World Heritage impact assessments and multilateral development bank projects, dedicated to balancing tourism infrastructure development with rigorous heritage conservation.

Assignment details

• Location: Tajikistan
• Financed by: Asian Development Bank - AsDB26520TJK1
• Expected input: 3 person-months
• 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 Asian Development Bank - AsDB26520TJK1-financed project in Tajikistan.
• 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.