Ref.
2026/IMEFTSTTNMOS/15292
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
Service contract
Estimated budget
Remote and mission in Hargeisa
Activity sectors
Culture and heritage
Deadline date
2026/05/13 23:59
Duration of the assignment
Beaded expertise
Contract
Freelancer
Duration
10 weeks
International Museum Expert for Technical Support to the National Museum of Somaliland (M/W)
Departement Economie Durable et Inclusive - EDIN > Pôle Attractivité des territoires, Culture et Patrimoine
Published on : 2026/04/22
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
SOMALIA
REMOTELY, WITH A MISSION IN HARGEISA
Mission description
The Protection and Promotion of Somaliland’s Heritage project, implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Government of Somaliland and financed by AFD, aims to safeguard and valorize the country’s exceptional archaeological and cultural heritage while contributing to sustainable local development, with a particular focus on the Laas Geel rock art site.
The National Museum is the institution in charge of the preservation, inventory, conservation and exhibition of Somaliland’s archeological heritage. Expertise France intends to support the creation of the archeological section of the museum. The objectives of this intervention are to:
- Ensure that archeological artefacts are safely stored, inventoried and preserved,
- Give the opportunity to various publics (visitors, school and university students, researchers, etc.) to discover the exceptional Somali archeological heritage
This consultancy aims to conduct a thorough needs assessment and provide strategic recommendations to support the creation of the archeological section in the framework of Expertise France’s project, and, more broadly, to support the Museum's opening and long-term sustainability.
The assignment may be carried out remotely, through regular online meetings, and should include a field mission in Hargeisa, of a duration to determine with the service provider.
Objectives
The main objectives of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive scoping and needs assessment mission to:
- Evaluate the Museum's current state of readiness for opening in 2026
- Identify gaps and needs across governance, collections, exhibitions, human resources, and infrastructure
- Provide actionable recommendations and a prioritized roadmap for the Museum's successful opening
- Assess capacity building requirements for Museum staff
- Identify financing and fundraising opportunities
A detailed description of the mission is detailed in the ToR enclosed to this offer.
Project or context description
The project "Protecting and Promoting Somaliland's Heritage and Preserving the Laas Geel Site," funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with Somaliland’s local authorities, seeks to ensure the long-term preservation of Somaliland's cultural heritage. It also aims to stimulate local economic development by promoting cultural heritage, with a special focus on safeguarding and enhancing the Laas Geel site.
The project aims to contribute to Somaliland authorities' efforts to develop tourism around the region's natural capital and its archaeological heritage, and is in line with the priorities of Franco-Somaliland cooperation, largely focused in cultural cooperation.
The project is structured around three main components of activities :
- Component A: Technical Assistance for the Protection of Somaliland's Heritage
- Component B: Protection and Enhancement of the Laas Geel Site
Required profile
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Museum Studies, Cultural Heritage Management, Art History, Archaeology, or related field
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in museum management and operations
- Proven expertise in at least three of the following areas: governance, collection management, exhibition development, institutional capacity building
- Experience conducting institutional assessments and producing strategic recommendations
- Experience working with museums in developing countries or emerging contexts
- Knowledge of international museum standards (ICOM, UNESCO)
Desired Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and strategic planning skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
- Experience in participatory assessment methodologies
- Knowledge of fundraising and financial sustainability strategies for museums
Candidates must be legally established and able to invoice Expertise France through a registered company or equivalent legal entity, in accordance with applicable contractual and tax requirements.
Additional information
Interested candidates are invited to submit before May 13th:
- A technical proposal (max. 3 pages) outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and indicative workplan.
- A financial proposal with daily fee rate and estimated number of days.
- A recent CV and at least two references for similar assignments
Selection criteria for applications
The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :
- Candidate’s skills linked with the expert mission
- Assessment of the candidate's skills in the sought-after domain
Deadline for application : 2026/05/13 23:59
File(s) attached : ToR - Museum expert Somaliland.pdf
Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :
- democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
- peace, stability, and security ;
- climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
- health and human development ;
In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.