Service Contract-National Officer-ARCHITECT RESTORER

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level : SB4

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Aleppo

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+2 Time) : 15/11/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Syria’s cultural heritage has been profoundly affected by years of conflict, economic constraints, loss of professional capacities and damage to cultural infrastructure, while the February 2023 earthquake further increased the vulnerability of historic buildings, archaeological sites, museums and collections in several parts of the country. At the same time, cultural heritage remains a strategic asset for recovery, social cohesion, identity, livelihoods and sustainable development. Its safeguarding therefore requires a combination of emergency protection, technically sound conservation and restoration, strengthened institutional capacities, risk preparedness and the transmission of professional and traditional skills.

Within this national context, Aleppo constitutes a principal area of UNESCO’s current cultural heritage engagement. The Ancient City of Aleppo, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, suffered extensive damage to its historic urban fabric, monuments and traditional souks during the conflict, with additional deterioration following the 2023 earthquake. UNESCO’s programme in Aleppo combines the consolidation of damage-assessment information, identification of priority cultural properties, preparation of technical documentation and action plans, and implementation of urgent stabilization and rehabilitation measures, together with local skills development and livelihood support.

Long Description

In parallel, UNESCO supports the strengthening of museums and heritage institutions, with particular attention to Aleppo National Museum and other relevant cultural institutions. This includes improved documentation and digitization, preventive conservation, safer storage and the development of professional capacities to safeguard collections and reduce risks of loss and illicit trafficking. The architectural condition, functionality and environmental performance of museum and storage spaces are integral to these objectives and require close coordination between architectural conservation, collections conservation and institutional teams.

At national level, the Ministry of Culture, the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), the Syrian National Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO are supporting a nationally led process towards the development and validation of a National Strategy and Action Plan for the Recovery and Development of the Culture Sector in Syria. This process recognizes the interconnections between cultural heritage, cultural and creative industries and sustainable culture-based tourism, and places emphasis on safeguarding and rehabilitation, institutional coordination, technical capacities, risk preparedness, community participation, skills, employment and sustainable management. In this context, UNESCO requires a national Architect Restorer to provide technical support to its cultural heritage programme throughout Syria, with a primary operational focus on Aleppo and regular support to priority sites and institutions elsewhere in the country.

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut and the direct supervision of the Senior National Professional Officer for Culture, the incumbent will support UNESCO Culture interventions across Syria as required, ensuring effective day-to-day coordination, technical quality control, documentation, monitoring and follow-up in close cooperation with national and local counterparts.

1. Act as a national technical focal point for UNESCO-supported architectural conservation and restoration activities in Syria, with primary day-to-day responsibility for Aleppo and regular missions to other priority locations as required. Maintain close working-level coordination with the Ministry of Culture, DGAM, governorates and municipalities, museums and site authorities, contractors, consultants, academic institutions, local professionals, communities and other relevant partners.

Long Description

2. Translate UNESCO project objectives, approved workplans, conservation principles and technical requirements into practical field actions across the national culture portfolio, ensuring that interventions are aligned with national heritage regulations and relevant UNESCO approaches and standards, including the World Heritage Convention, the Historic Urban Landscape approach, and relevant post-conflict and post-disaster recovery guidance.

3. Review, consolidate and update existing documentation and damage assessments for priority cultural properties in Syria, initially and principally focusing on the Ancient City of Aleppo and other UNESCO-supported sites. Undertake or coordinate architectural condition surveys, measured and photographic documentation, material and pathology mapping, risk identification and other technical investigations required to establish reliable baselines and support transparent prioritization of interventions.

4. Prepare, review and/or technically coordinate conservation and restoration documentation for priority heritage sites throughout Syria, including architectural drawings, intervention proposals, specifications, bills of quantities, cost estimates, work schedules, conservation method statements, material specifications, phasing plans and maintenance requirements. Structural stabilization measures shall be developed and reviewed in coordination with appropriately qualified structural engineers and other specialists.

Long Description

5. Provide continuous technical supervision and quality assurance for UNESCO-supported emergency stabilization, consolidation, rehabilitation and restoration works. This includes regular site inspections; review of materials, samples and workmanship; verification of conformity with approved technical documentation; maintenance of site records; identification of deviations, defects and emerging risks; and preparation of timely technical recommendations and corrective measures.

6. Ensure that all interventions apply sound conservation principles, including respect for cultural significance, authenticity and integrity; minimum necessary intervention; compatibility of materials; reversibility where appropriate; and systematic documentation of interventions and changes to historic fabric. For World Heritage properties, ensure that works safeguard Outstanding Universal Value and remain consistent with applicable management and conservation requirements.

7. Support architectural and technical assessments of museums, storage facilities, archives and other cultural institutions across Syria, with particular emphasis on the Aleppo National Museum and related institutions where UNESCO activities are ongoing. Give special attention to the physical conditions required for preventive conservation, safe storage, digitization, documentation, emergency preparedness and safeguarding of collections, and coordinate closely with museum, collections conservation and digitization specialists.

8. Provide technical inputs to UNESCO procurement and contracting processes for heritage activities throughout Syria, including preparation or review of technical Terms of Reference, tender documentation, scopes of works, specifications, technical evaluation criteria, site handover documentation and technical assessment of contractors, service providers and deliverables, in accordance with UNESCO rules and procedures and without prejudice to the responsibilities of procurement and administrative functions.

9. Monitor the technical progress of activities against approved workplans, results frameworks, timelines and indicators. Maintain systematic site logs, photographic records, drawings, intervention records and technical files; identify delays, bottlenecks, material shortages, cost, quality or access risks; and promptly bring issues requiring programme, managerial or specialist attention to UNESCO.

10. Prepare high-quality technical notes, progress reports, mission reports, assessment reports, conservation recommendations, briefing materials and contributions to donor reporting for activities in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria. Provide technically accurate inputs for project visibility, site visits, donor missions, communications products and public information, while respecting heritage sensitivities and UNESCO communication requirements.

11. Carry out any additional technical and programme-related duties that may be required to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring, quality and sustainability of UNESCO’s cultural heritage programme in Syria, including support to emergency missions or priority assignments outside Aleppo when requested.

Long Description

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

  For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Architectural Conservation, Architectural Restoration, Built Heritage Conservation, Cultural Heritage Conservation or a closely related field. A professional degree in Architecture combined with a recognized postgraduate specialization in conservation/restoration may be accepted as equivalent.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in architectural conservation and restoration, including field-based assessment, preparation of technical documentation and supervision of works on historic buildings or sites.
• • Demonstrated experience in conservation, stabilization, rehabilitation or restoration of traditional masonry and historic structures, including diagnosis of building pathology and coordination with structural engineers and other conservation specialists.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Sound knowledge of architectural conservation theory and practice and the ability to apply conservation principles to emergency stabilization, repair, restoration and adaptive rehabilitation of historic buildings.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and review architectural surveys, measured drawings, condition assessments, technical specifications, bills of quantities, cost estimates, work schedules and conservation method statements.
• Strong field supervision and quality-control skills, with the ability to identify technical risks, defects, inappropriate materials or methods and to propose practical corrective measures.
• Good organizational, planning, monitoring and reporting skills, with the ability to manage multiple technical activities and priorities across different sites and locations under tight timelines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including very good drafting and technical writing skills and the ability to work effectively with national and local authorities, communities, contractors, specialists and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability and willingness to undertake regular field missions within Syria and to work with discretion, initiative and sound professional judgement in a complex and evolving operational environment, including under pressure.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Arabic

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Professional experience in Syria, including knowledge of Syrian historic building typologies, traditional construction techniques and the institutional framework for cultural heritage; direct experience in Aleppo or comparable historic urban areas would be a strong asset.
• Experience working on World Heritage properties and applying requirements related to Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity, integrity and heritage impact.
• Experience in post-conflict, post-earthquake or other emergency heritage contexts in Syria or comparable settings, including temporary protection, emergency stabilization, disaster-risk reduction and recovery planning.
• Experience with rehabilitation or technical upgrading of museums, collection storage areas, laboratories, archives or other cultural facilities, particularly where preventive conservation and collections safeguarding requirements are relevant; experience related to Aleppo National Museum or comparable institutions would be an asset.
• Experience working with governmental heritage authorities such as DGAM, and/or with UNESCO, other United Nations entities, ICOMOS, ICCROM, ALIPH or comparable international heritage organizations on projects implemented in Syria or the region.
• Experience contributing technical inputs to procurement, tendering, contract management, donor-funded projects, monitoring frameworks and technical reporting.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s 1972 World Heritage Convention, the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, the CURE Framework and relevant international guidance for heritage recovery and reconstruction.
• Knowledge of French would be an asset.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Recruitment for this post is open to Nationals of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.