National Project Officer
I. Background :
Expertise France is the French international technical cooperation agency, with a status of public institution under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The project "Protecting and Promoting Somaliland's Heritage," funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with Somaliland authorities, seeks to ensure the long-term preservation of Somaliland's cultural heritage. Started in December 2025,
the project will run until December 2027. It is implemented by a dedicated project team in collaboration, particularly with the Somaliland Ministry of Trade and Tourism (MOTT) and other project stakeholders.
Its main objectives are to strengthen the institutional framework and local capacities for heritage protection, to raise public awareness of the value of Somaliland's archaeological heritage, and to support
its promotion as a driver of sustainable local economic development, through institutional support, training, awareness raising and education activities.
II. Job description:
The position is attached to the Culture and Heritage division (ATCP), within Expertise France's "Sustainable and Inclusive Economy" department.
Reporting line: Project Manager deployed in Hargeisa & Head of the ATCP division at headquarters.
Functional links: Project Manager, Project Officer (Paris), administrative & financial manager.
The position is based in Hargeisa, with occasional travel to field sites in Somaliland.
Placed under the hierarchical responsibility of the Project Manager, the National Project Officer will support
the implementation of project activities in line with Expertise France’s standards and procedures and the
donor’s expectations, while ensuring that they are adapted to the local context. In particular, the National
Project Officer will assist the Project Manager and the partners in preparing, organising and following up

1 subject to final approval of the project extension

PROJECT
Protection & Promotion of Somaliland archaeological
Heritage
trainings, technical assistance, awareness-raising and community engagement activities, events and study
visits, including their logistics. Specific knowledge of heritage and tourism is a plus.

The following list of tasks is not exhaustive. The National Project Officer will have to work on all these
aspects in close coordination with the Project Manager, the project officer & the administrative and
financial manager, as well as the consultants mobilized by Expertise France:
• Participate in the overall implementation of project activities.
• Coordinate activities with the Ministry of Trade and Tourism and other stakeholders
• Support the Project Manager in coordinating with international service providers
• Coordinate with local works and service providers
• Assist the Project Manager in the supervision of the local staff (field coordinators, SPUs, drivers, etc.);
• Accompany the Project Manager in meetings with the project’s beneficiaries, the authorities and
other stakeholders (preparation and set-up, presentations, translation from and to Somali, minutes);
translate project documents as needed
• Assist the Project Manager in developing Terms of Reference (TOR) and reports
• Support the organization of governance activities;
• Represent the project in case the Project Manager is unable to travel in person;
• Conduct research on topics relevant to the project
• Support the implementation of the MEAL plan: development of tools, data collection;
• Engage with local stakeholders to ensure their concerns and needs are heard & facilitate participatory
planning ;
• Provide insight into local customs, traditions, and heritage, ensuring culturally appropriate
approaches in all project activities & trainings ;
• Assist with permits, access, and site logistics for the implementation of activities in Hargeisa and
field sites ;
• Support the organization & logistics for short-term expertise missions ;
• Support international & national experts involved in the project, particularly in delivering training
sessions, creating, adapting, eventually translating and contextualizing training materials &
organizing logistics.

III. Qualifications, skills and experience
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in international development, heritage management, tourism, or related field.
- Master’s degree is a plus

PROJECT
Protection & Promotion of Somaliland archaeological Heritage
Experience:
- At least 3 years’ experience working with international NGOs, UN agencies or donorfunded projects, including at least 2 years in field-based roles.
- Proven experience organising and delivering awareness-raising, community engagement
and capacity-building activities (trainings, workshops, events), including logistics,
participant mobilisation and follow-up.
- Experience working in Somaliland with local communities, authorities, and international
partners.
- Experience in heritage, culture or tourism is a strong asset.
- Experience supervising field staff or service providers, and familiarity with donor reporting
and MEAL tools, is an asset.
Skills:
- Good knowledge of Somaliland’s cultural heritage and local context.
- Excellent communication, translation and facilitation skills.
- Ability to support training, awareness campaigns, and expert missions.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Fluent in Somali and English; French is an asset.
Based in or able to relocate to Hargeisa; willing to take part in field missions in Somaliland or abroad,
including overnight stays.
Start date: February 2027
Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland
Conditions: Local contract under Somaliland labour law, 11- months full-time contract (until 31 December
2027)2

Document(s) to be supplied:
- cover letter (maximum 2 pages) describing 2 or 3 awareness-raising, community engagement or capacity-building activities the candidate has organised in the field (context, their role, logistics, participants and results),
- a detailed recent CV including up-to-date contact details (telephone and e-mail) and 3 professional references with their contact details (name, position, organisation, telephone and e-mail)

Application sent to: [email protected]

Deadline : 4th December