THE NEWS

Madaba Project Seeks Site Steward

Primary Function of the Position

Site Stewards play a critical role in the Sustainable Cultural Heritage Through the Engagement of Local Communities Project (SCHEP) because of their continuous presence and engagement at the local community level. While Site Stewards fulfill roles and duties that are specific to their respective sites, all work towards the overall goal of protecting and preserving SCHEP sites in their communities. Under the employ of SCHEP sub-grantee project directors and in coordination with the SCHEP team, Site Stewards further the aims of both local sub-grantee projects and broader SCHEP objectives. With support from their project directors and the SCHEP team, Site Stewards are entrusted with protecting cultural heritage resources for future generations.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

·         Community Outreach

Engage members of communities around and near SCHEP sites to encourage community participation in the project, raise awareness about local cultural heritage resources, and foster a culture of broader site stewardship

-Organize and conduct events such as informational meetings, lectures, site visits, clean-up campaigns, and other activities

-Proactively engage community members in less formal and ad hoc interactions, such as conversations and individual or small group interventions

-Implement activities that target children and youth, utilizing educational modules and curricula when available

·         Site Monitoring

Through their regular presence at SCHEP sites, Site Stewards will vigilantly observe and report changes to the antiquities sites as well as their social and natural context. Project directors and SCHEP staff should train Site Stewards on particular factors and means of measurement by site

-Pay attention to visitor safety, taking immediate and appropriate action on any elements that may be dangerous or hazardous

-When Site Stewards observe damage to the site actively taking place (e.g. someone in the act of creating graffiti), they should notify the appropriate party

-Report vandalism and other damage to the site’s integrity (e.g. degradation due to natural causes) to the project director, SCHEP Cultural Heritage Resources Projects Lead, Department of Antiquities (DOA) point of contact, and any other relevant parties

-Remain aware of relevant DOA regulations and instructions

·         Interlocutors with visitors

Site Stewards communicate the story and value of the site, the role of SCHEP and their sub-grantee project, and site stewardship to visitors

-Actively seek and maintain knowledge about the site, its story, and CHR best practices in order to educate others

-Tell the story of the site based on project directors’ site narrative that conveys the site’s history, significance, and potential

-Convey information about archaeological work at the site, SCHEP, and other topics

-Encourage all visitors to protect the site’s cultural and natural integrity

-Communicate with visitors in Arabic and English

-Provide information about available facilities and services (e.g. restaurants and restrooms)

·         Coordination among stakeholders

Site Stewards interface with various community, national, and international stakeholders to promote coordinated efforts and cooperation

-Stakeholders may include, but are not limited to: the project director and his/her team, the SCHEP team, the DOA, academic researchers, municipalities, public and private schools, cooperatives, non-governmental and semi-governmental organizations, local businesses, and other associations

-Act as the point of contact for SCHEP team and others in planning visits and meetings related to the site in host communities

·         Administrative Tasks with Project Directors and SCHEP

Site Stewards should remain in regular communication with their project directors and the SCHEP team to inform each other of successes, challenges, and upcoming plans. When their project directors are abroad, Site Stewards should make particular effort to keep them apprised of project activities and the status of the site.

-Submit monthly reports, including photographs, to project directors and SCHEP team in Amman describing the status of the site as well as the outreach activities they have implemented

-Create and share regular work plans with project directors and the SCHEP team in Amman