HAMAP-Humanitaire (HH) is a French NGO founded in 1999 and active in humanitarian mine action in multiple countries. HH is currently developing its Mine Action programme in the Middle East in line with its mandate to reinforce local and national actors and ensure safe, responsible, and context-sensitive humanitarian action. HH has been working in Iraq since 2016, focusing on strengthening local and national partners. HH initially delivered IED-clearance training to local authorities in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil. From 2019 to 2025, HH supported a local Iraqi NGO through a long-term partnership aimed at improving organizational and technical capacity, resulting in the implementation of EORE, NTS, and Clearance operations in Ninewa Governorate, particularly in Sinjar District, clearing more than one million square meters of land. Since September 2025, HH has launched MIRATH in southern Iraq. MIRATH (Mesopotamia Initiative for Rehabilitating Archaeological Tourism and Heritage) aims to support the Iraqi Civil Defense in Dhi Qar Governorate through training and equipment, enabling clearance of at least two million square meters of archaeologically sensitive land contaminated with explosive ordnance. The project is implemented in partnership with the Iraqi Directorate of Mine Action (DMA) under the Ministry of Environment and in close coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities at central and governorate levels. Given the project context and the sensitivity of operating within or near major archaeological and World Heritage-related landscapes, HH must ensure that mine action activities are planned and implemented in a way that protects cultural heritage values and supports responsible site management. In accordance with UNESCO-endorsed and ICOMOS-referenced methodology for World Heritage contexts, a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required to establish baseline knowledge, identify attributes related to Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), assess risks and impacts, and define proportionate avoidance, mitigation, and monitoring measures prior to and during operations. Against this background, HH seeks the services of an Archaeologist / Heritage Specialist to conduct a UNESCO-aligned HIA for at least one priority site, including Eridu, Kisiga (Tell Al-Lahm) and Tell Zaid, and to provide technical guidance to integrate heritage protection into clearance planning and quality management. The consultant will work in close coordination with HAMAP-Humanitaire s Regional EOD Technical Advisor to ensure that heritage protection requirements are translated into practical, safe, and implementable clearance planning measures. The main objective of this assignment is to conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for one priority archaeological site in Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq, in accordance with UNESCO standards and ICOMOS guidance for World Heritage and related contexts, and to support the integration of heritage protection requirements into mine action planning, quality management, and field implementation. Specifically, the assessment will aim to: Establish a robust heritage baseline for the site, with specific reference to attributes conveying its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV); Assess potential direct, indirect, cumulative, and accidental impacts of planned mine action activities on the site s authenticity, integrity, and wider setting. Ensure that clearance operations are planned and implemented in a manner fully respectful of internationally recognized cultural heritage protection standards Define practical and proportionate avoidance, mitigation, and monitoring measures to prevent or minimize adverse impacts on archaeological remains; and Support the integration of heritage-sensitive requirements into operational planning, quality management, and field implementation of humanitarian mine action activities. Through the HIA, the consultant will be expected to: Establish a clear heritage baseline for the assessment area, focusing on attributes that convey OUV and other nationally significant heritage elements. Identify and map sensitive heritage areas and constraints relevant to mine action operations (including physical remains, stratigraphy risk, visual/setting considerations where relevant, and access/visitor management sensitivities). Assess potential impacts of proposed mine action activities, including direct, indirect, cumulative, and accidental impacts, and consider whether impacts are temporary/permanent and reversible/irreversible. Propose a package of avoidance, mitigation, protection, and monitoring measures, including operational recommendations that can be implemented by mine action teams. Provide clear guidance on operational integration, including exclusion zones, adapted clearance methodologies and constraints, and quality management considerations. Develop a chance-find procedure adapted to humanitarian demining operations in archaeological contexts, including procedures for suspected archaeological remains, human remains, associated artefacts, structural remains, and other culturally or legally sensitive finds.

Desired Candidate Profile

Advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) in Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Management, or a related field. Minimum 10 years of professional experience in archaeology and/or heritage management (or equivalent demonstrated expertise relevant to the assignment scope). Proven experience conducting Heritage Impact Assessments (or closely comparable heritage assessment studies) in complex operational contexts. Strong knowledge of UNESCO World Heritage processes and ICOMOS HIA guidance, including OUV-based assessment logic. Demonstrated capacity to translate heritage requirements into practical operational recommendations. Experience working alongside operational field teams, such as mine action, EOD/UXO, engineering, construction, environmental, infrastructure, or security teams, is highly desirable, particularly where heritage protection requirements had to be translated into practical field procedures, constraints, or mitigation measures. Excellent research and analytical skills. Excellent report-writing skills in English. Experience in the Middle East, particularly Iraq, is highly desirable. Arabic and/or French is an asset.