National Archaeologist / Heritage Specialist – Tajikistan

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a National Archaeologist / 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 project aims to identify priority tourism investments, drive policy reforms, and strengthen institutional capacity while promoting sustainable growth anchored on the country's rich historical significance along the ancient Silk Routes.

To support the technical preparation and feasibility assessments, we are looking for a National Archaeologist / Heritage Specialist. The expert will play a vital role in ensuring that historical assets, archaeological sites, and cultural heritage values are properly evaluated, protected, and integrated into the broader regional tourism planning and infrastructure design frameworks.

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

• Support the preliminary scoping and prioritization of regional tourism investment projects in Tajikistan.
• Evaluate archaeological and cultural heritage constraints and opportunities across target project areas.
• Ensure alignment of tourism development activities with national regulations and international heritage conservation standards.
• Contribute expert local knowledge of historical sites to feasibility studies and environmental-social due diligence packages.

Scope of work

• Conduct field assessments and baseline studies of archaeological and cultural heritage assets within designated project zones.
• Review existing documentation and historical records pertaining to regional heritage sites, with specific attention to notable historical areas in the country.
• Collaborate with engineering, environmental, and social teams to identify potential impacts of proposed tourism infrastructure on cultural heritage.
• Design appropriate mitigation, preservation, and management measures for vulnerable archaeological resources.
• Participate in stakeholder consultations and coordinate with national heritage authorities and local institutions.

Your role as National Archaeologist / Heritage Specialist

• Lead local archaeological and cultural heritage investigations for the project.
• Provide expert inputs on regional historical assets, ensuring familiarity with prominent local heritage contexts such as Khuttal and Sarazm.
• Contribute heritage-related findings to feasibility reports, strategic tourism assessments, and safeguard documentation.
• Work alongside international specialists to integrate heritage protection measures into detailed engineering designs.
• Draft specific heritage management plans and recommendations for site interpretation, presentation, and conservation.

Requirements

• Education: Degree in Archaeology or Heritage Management
• 8+ years on Tajik sites, familiarity with Khuttal and Sarazm
• Languages: Tajik and Russian
• National of, or based in, the project country

Desirable

• Experience working on international development projects or assignments funded by multilateral financial institutions.
• Prior involvement in tourism infrastructure development or heritage site promotion initiatives.

An experienced Tajik archaeologist with over 8 years of local fieldwork, deep familiarity with major national heritage sites like Khuttal and Sarazm, and strong fluency in Tajik and Russian.

Assignment details

• Location: Tajikistan
• Financed by: Asian Development Bank - AsDB26520TJK1
• Expected input: 2 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? This position requires a national of, or a professional based in, the project country.

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.