National Curatorial Consultant for Museum Concept Development (SSAs) (deadline extension)

Economic & Environmental Affairs TAJ Requisition # Total Views

Background:

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), together with the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and in close cooperation with the EU and UNDP, is implementing the ExB project Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia, Phase III. This phase aims to engage and inform stakeholders about the remediation of uranium tailings to maximize the projects benefits.
The uranium mining and processing industry in Central Asia has left behind numerous contaminated sites. Affected populations often lack external support and face a strong perception of unusually high incidences of health problems, resulting in economic losses. The project focuses on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with specific intervention sites selected based on their location.
Several project activities are planned to continue through the end of , with a possible extension into , in the target areas including Buston, Gafurov, Guliston (including Adrasman), Istiqlol, and Khujand in Tajikistan. One of the key initiatives is the establishment of a Museum on the History of Uranium Mining in Tajikistan, to be located in the Mining-Metallurgical Institute of Tajikistan, in Buston, Sugd region . In the current phase, the project focuses on content production for the museum, following the conceptual framework developed in previous phases. The Museum is planned to open in October within the Investment Forum or later.
To support this activity, the project plans to engage a short-term SSA consultant (Curatorial Consultant for Museum Concept Development) to assist OSCE POiD staff with the implementation of Phase III content production. The consultants work will be directly supervised and coordinated by the Project Officer in POiB and the National Environmental Officer of EED POiD.

The Consultant will be responsible for developing and delivering production-ready museum content; planning and overseeing content production, quality control, and handover; strengthening the capacity and operational readiness of the local museum team; and ensuring effective coordination with designers, authorities, and implementing partners in line with the approved museum concept.

Objective of Assignment:

To lead and coordinate the curatorial development and content production for the Museum of the History of Uranium Mining in Tajikistan in Buston, ensuring a coherent museum narrative and delivery of a production-ready content in close coordination with the Museum Designer and key stakeholders, in line with the approved concept.

Duration of Assignment:

70 days

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Officer and direct supervision of National Environmental Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

Phase 1 (1 March-31 April ): Storyline, content plan and support to design concept
1. Participate in kick-off meeting(s) with OSCE POiD/EED, Mining-Metallurgical Institute of Tajikistan and the Museum working group; agree on content review/approval steps and translation workflow.
2. Review existing materials and the approved conceptual solution from previous phases; define target audiences, learning objectives and key messages.
3. Develop the museum narrative and storyline (exhibition script outline), including a draft section plan, proposed objects/media list, and mapping of content to spatial zones in coordination with the Museum Designer.
4. Prepare a content production plan (texts, visuals, archive, film programme and interactive/multimedia components), including a permissions/licensing approach.
5. Support the Museum Designer in concept development during the first two months by providing curatorial inputs and ensuring consistency of narrative, safety messaging and accuracy.

Phase 2 (1 May-31 June ): Core content development (drafts) and approvals
1. Finalize the Timeline text in Russian (Uranium Mining in Tajikistan) and coordinate translation into Tajik and English in a format suitable for design and printing.
2. Draft the main exhibition texts (section introductions, key labels/captions, instructions for interactive stations) in Russian; coordinate translation into Tajik and English.
3. Develop the script for the educational interactive installation on radiation, radiation safety and recultivation activities, based on the primary material provided by the radiation safety expert and stakeholder inputs.
4. Draft ToRs and scripts for production of digital graphics/animation video spots (, radiation, radiation safety, uranium legacy site rehabilitation activities).
5. Start compilation of the photo and document archive through focused archival/library/online research and coordination with partners; create a structured index with metadata (source, date, rights/permissions).
6. Develop a draft film programme (identification, selection, rights/licence clearing approach, subtitling plan) with annotations.

Phase 3 (1 July- 30 September ): Production-ready content package, training and opening support
1. Finalize and proofread all texts in three languages (RU/TJ/EN), ensuring consistency with the final approved design concept and installation formats provided by the Museum Designer.
2. Deliver the finalized digital archive with metadata and evidence of permissions/licences where required; prepare content for on-site and digital use.
3. Finalize scripts and technical briefs for multimedia/interactive elements and coordinate with the Museum Designer and vendors during development.
4. Support content-to-design integration by reviewing design layouts/proofs (accuracy, terminology, safety messaging, readability) and providing consolidated feedback.
5. Jointly with the Museum Designer, contribute to and deliver a two-day workshop/training for the local museum team on museum interpretation, operation and future content updates.
6. Provide final content quality assurance during installation and pre-opening checks; support last-mile adjustments required for opening.
7. Prepare opening-related content (short visitor guide text, key messages for media/press materials, and briefing notes for guided tours) in coordination with OSCE POiD/EED and the Museum working group.

Phase 4 (1 October 30 November ): Post-opening documentation and handover
1. Compile a final report documenting delivered outputs, lessons learned and practical recommendations for sustainable museum operation and future content updates.
2. Ensure handover of the full content package and digital archive to OSCE POiD/EED and the Museum host institution (Mining-Metallurgical Institute of Tajikistan as well), including a clear file structure and usage guidance.

Deliverables:

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see:

Necessary Qualifications:

• A first-level university degree (or equivalent) in museology, cultural management, history, art, visual culture or a related field;
• Minimum three years of professional experience in cultural development and/or production of exhibition content (texts, archives, audiovisual content);
• Knowledge of exhibition development, including creation of exhibition storylines, scripts and interpretive texts for diverse audiences, with educational and interactive components; experience in archival research and content rights/permissions management; ability to organize content using clear metadata and structured file systems;
• Experience in collaborating with international and national experts and institutions and working with multidisciplinary teams (curation, design, technical production);
• Professional fluency in Tajik and Russian (oral and written); working knowledge of English is an asset;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet resources, and digital content management tools;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under .

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see .

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe
• Requisition ID: TAJ
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: TAJ - OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Dushanbe
• Issue Date: Jan 13,
• Closing Date: Mar 1,
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs
• Target Start Date: March,