Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close coordination with the Heritage Technical Advisor, the Operations Officer and Expertise France Headquarters, the Key Expert provides strategic, technical and methodological leadership for the implementation of Work Package 3 – Strategic Heritage Rehabilitation and Heritage-led Development.

The Key Expert supports Expertise France and Moldovan counterparts in the design, implementation and quality assurance of heritage conservation and rehabilitation activities, ensuring compliance with international conservation standards and contributing to the long-term strengthening of institutional and professional capacities in the heritage sector.

The Key Expert will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Technical leadership of WP3 EF-led activities

• Provide strategic and technical guidance for the implementation of Work Package 3.
• Advise the Project Manager on technical priorities, implementation strategies and sequencing of heritage activities.
• Ensure methodological coherence between heritage rehabilitation, capacity building and site management activities.
• Ensure compliance with international conservation standards and best practices (UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM and relevant European standards).

2. Identification, assessment and preparation of heritage interventions

• Support the identification, assessment and prioritisation of interventions.
• Contribute to the application and refinement of the site selection methodology.
• Assess technical feasibility, conservation needs, implementation readiness and sustainability of proposed interventions.
• Advise on conservation approaches and intervention priorities.

3. Technical supervision of heritage interventions

• Provide technical oversight throughout the preparation and implementation of heritage rehabilitation activities.
• Review and validate technical studies, diagnostics, conservation projects and technical documentation.
• Support the quality assurance of rehabilitation interventions and monitor compliance with agreed methodologies and conservation standards.
• Identify technical risks and recommend corrective actions where necessary.

4. Support to procurement and contract implementation

• Contribute to the preparation of Terms of Reference, technical specifications and procurement documentation related to heritage studies, consultancy services and rehabilitation works.
• Provide technical advice during procurement procedures, including the technical assessment of offers where required.
• Review technical deliverables submitted by consultants and contractors.
• Advise the Project Manager on technical aspects of contract implementation.

5. Capacity building and knowledge transfer

• Lead the design and delivery of specialised training programmes under Activity 3.1.
• Develop methodological guidance and training materials.
• Design and supervise practical training activities, including chantier-école approaches where appropriate.
• Support knowledge transfer to Moldovan institutions and heritage professionals.
• Promote the dissemination of lessons learned and good practices.

6. Technical advisory support to public authorities

• Provide strategic and technical advice to the Ministry of Culture and relevant heritage institutions.
• Support the strengthening of national capacities in heritage conservation, rehabilitation and site management.
• Participate in technical meetings and field missions with national stakeholders.

7. Coordination and reporting

• Work closely with the Project Manager, Heritage Technical Advisor and Operations Officer.
• Provide technical guidance to short-term experts mobilised under WP3.
• Participate in coordination meetings and technical missions.
• Prepare technical reports, recommendations and mission reports.
• Contribute to programme reporting and technical capitalisation.