I. Service required. II. Organizational Context

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1 I. Service required Consultant required: InternationalMuseum Expert 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 Programme Coordinator Expected Starting date: ASAP 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 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.

2 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 The flagship activity for the CHSED Joint Programme will be the transformation of the National History Museum in Tirana into a modern cultural institution. UNESCO is responsible for two key activities to this end: 1) Establish a management and governance structure for a world-class National History Museum (Activity 2.1.1) 2) Create operational or action plans for National History Museum in Tirana to meet international standards of documentation, conservation, security, and presentation (Activity 2.1.2) In order to accelerate progress on these two activities, the UNESCO Office in Venice, through its Antenna Office in Tirana, will be hiring a museum expert to lead the visioning and planning processes on the National History Museum with the support of the project team. This person will also provide expert advice and recommendations on museum management and governance and consult with other implementing agencies on the development of the operational and/or action plans. S/he may be asked to provide input on other museum or museum-related activities. III. Tasks / Key Results Expected The International Museum Expert will provide specialized technical expertise to the CHSED Joint Programme team on museum activities and He/she will be responsible for facilitating the process of creating a new vision for the museum, and making concrete recommendations on the current Working relations Reports directly to the UNESCO NPO, in close collaboration with the Time (wd)

3 management and governance structures to allow the museum to become a world-class institution. The expert will also be responsible for providing advise to the advisory board in prioritizing the necessary operational plans and interventions needed for the museum. The expert will also act as a secretary for an international advisory board for the museum activities and be supported by a local museum expert. Programme Coordinator and CHSED Joint Programme team TASK 1: Consolidate the information on the National History Museum and elaborate a needs assessment; the assessment should examine fields such as security, climate technology, exhibition equipment, visitor services, administration, financing, general reconstruction etc. The relationship between the NHM and other relevant institutions in Albania, such as the Archaeological Museum and the Institute of Folk Activities, should also be assessed The needs assessment will be then presented to the members of the museum s advisory board, A background study will be provided prior to mission, written by a local museum expert.. A) Prior to arriving in Tirana and based on information provided in the background study, propose an outline for the assessment and suggested meetings for his/her mission that will be approved and arranged by the CHSED Joint Programme. B) Conduct a mission to Tirana ASAP to gather the necessary information and write the needs assessment to be shared with CHSED Joint Programme team members for comments within 10 working days. C) Final needs assessment must be received within 10 working days of receiving comments. The needs assessment will then be shared with the members of the museum advisory board. TASK 2: Support the museum advisory board to develop strategic guidelines for the rehabilitation of the National History Museum. Prioritize needs of museum, recommend governance structure and elaborate concepts that need to be further developed. Provide expert assistance as needed for museum advisory board meetings and coordinate follow-up actions and communication with advisory board members. A) Facilitate meetings of the museum advisory board, ensuring that decisions are made in a timely manner and reflect the realities of the National History Museum in Albania. B) Work with museum advisory board to provide recommendations for an appropriate management and governance structure for the museum, following international best practices. Specific recommendations shall be made in the fields of management and governance, security, conservation technology, presentation, information, visitor services and financing. C) Work with museum advisory board to determine the 15 20

4 subjects of the 3 operational plans which should be prioritized for immediate development (i.e., security, presentation, conservation, education, etc.). D) Document strategic guidelines decided upon by the advisory board to transform the museum into a worldclass institution. Share this document with advisory board members for their endorsement and further comments. Incorporate comments received and return to Albania to present strategic guidelines to JP, MoTCYS and other relevant stakeholders. E) Communicate and coordinate regularly with museum advisory board members throughout the length of the contract. TASK 3: Develop recommendations for new public-private governance and management structure of museum into feasible steps and/or action plan for implementation by relevant stakeholders. A) Provide a summary of best practices in public-private partnerships for museum management and governance. B) Examine Albanian legal frameworks, instruments and policies that need to be taken into account for the new structure to be put in place. C) Develop TOR for senior personnel and managers under new governance structure. TASK 4: Advise the CHSED JP on the formulation of the three operational plans (activity 2.1.2) as prioritized by the advisory board. A) Assist the CHSED JP in the development of the TOR and the selection process for the consultants that will draft the three plans. B) Maintain regular communication with the selected companies to ensure their compliance with the approved strategic guidelines. C) Provide feedback/review of operational plans to CHSED JP Approximate timeline of deliverables and payment for services: Task 1: 15 March working days Task 2: 30 April working days Task 3: 30 May working days Task 4: 30 June working days Total working days are 60 days over a 4-months period. IV. Main Competencies

5 Demonstrated understanding of international standards of museum management and governance; Demonstrated understanding of principles of international standards of documentation, conservation, security and presentation of museum collections; Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team; Ability to synthesize complex information and explain/present it in a logical and consistent manner; Superior reporting skills; Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment; Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural environment; Excellent interpersonal, capacity-building and facilitation skills; Fluent in English Excellent computer/information systems skills V. Recruitment Qualifications Education: Experience: Language Requirements: Minimum of a Master s level degree in museology, cultural resource management, history, or other relevant field. PhD preferred. 15 years of relevant working experience in museums or similar institutions; Preferred experience working in Albania or other Balkans or SEE countries Excellent spoken and written English, particularly with regards to museum terminology VI. Signatures- Post Description Certification Incumbent (if applicable) Name Signature Date Supervisor Name / Title Signature Date Chief Division/Section Name / Title Signature Date VII. How to apply Applications shall be ed to Mrs. Zhulieta Harasani, z.harasani@unesco.org by 1 March 2009, 5:00 p.m. (Albania Local Time), with the following reference: REF: International Museum Expert Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development

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