As part of the preparation and implementation of its international technical cooperation projects, Expertise France is strengthening its pool of experts in culture and heritage to support partners in preserving, restoring, and sustainably managing architectural and archaeological heritage, as well as heritage sites, in alignment with environmental, territorial, and usage-related challenges.

Assignments are carried out within programmes funded notably by AFD, the European Union, international financial institutions, and other donors. They aim to support complex, multi-stakeholder projects combining technical expertise, strategic advisory, and capacity building.

Experts may contribute in one or several of the following areas:

Diagnostics, Conservation and Restoration

·       Conducting architectural, structural, condition and heritage diagnostics on buildings, built complexes or complex archaeological sites

·       Defining and implementing conservation and restoration strategies for architectural and archaeological heritage

·       Carrying out conservation/restoration interventions on complex heritage, including excavated, troglodyte and rock-cut architectures

·       Conservation and restoration of monumental decorations: wall paintings, frescoes, polychrome ensembles, and decorative elements integrated into buildings

·       Analysis of interactions between structures, materials, decorations and environmental conditions to define coherent and sustainable interventions

Intervention Approaches, Doctrine and Training

·       Development of intervention doctrines, methodologies and strategies adapted to heritage, institutional and territorial contexts

·       Integration of environmental, climate, usage and sustainability considerations into conservation-restoration projects

·       Development of integrated approaches linking built heritage, decorations, uses, management and environment

·       Quality control during project implementation in line with international intervention standards

·       Design and implementation of professional training programmes

·       Establishment of training sites (chantier-école) and transmission of technical and methodological know-how

·       Support for structuring skills sectors and promoting heritage-related professions.

Governance, Planning and Management

·       Development and implementation of management plans for heritage sites, including UNESCO sites, national sites, cultural landscapes or high-value heritage ensembles

·       Establishment of multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms involving public authorities, site managers, residents, economic actors, communities and other stakeholders

·       Definition of long-term operational site management strategies

·       Analysis and monitoring of visitor numbers, management of flows and uses, regulation of site pressures and organisation of visitor reception

·       Development of management tools for sustainable site management, including carrying capacity, mobility, accessibility and visitor experience

·       Capacity building for site managers and support for structuring management, coordination and governance functions.

Landscape Approach, Territorial Development and Sustainability

·       Management of heritage sites within a territorial development approach linking heritage, landscape, environment, uses and local dynamics

·       Integration of landscape, environmental, social and economic dimensions into valorisation strategies

·       Articulation between heritage, territorial attractiveness, local development and sustainable and responsible tourism models

·       Consideration of climate, environmental and resilience issues, including disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation

·       Development of integrated territorial approaches balancing preservation, valorisation and quality of life for local populations 

Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings

·       Development of strategies for rehabilitation, adaptive reuse and repurposing of built heritage for contemporary uses

·       Design of projects integrating new cultural, economic or social uses into heritage buildings

·       Approaches reconciling the preservation of heritage values with evolving functions, uses and societal expectations

·       Integration of sustainability, resource efficiency and ecological transition considerations into rehabilitation projects

·       Alignment between architectural, cultural and territorial development projects

·       Contribution to transforming heritage sites into places for living, creation, hospitality, learning or innovation

Mobilisation Modalities

·       Short-term assignments: 5 to 30 days

·       Intermittent interventions spread over the duration of projects, depending on needs and phases

·       Possible mobilisation across the entire project lifecycle.