Digitization and Post-Production Expert

INTRODUCTION 

Agency background

Expertise France is France’s public agency and interministerial actor in charge of international technical cooperation, the second-largest in Europe. As a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France works in key areas of development: governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more. Alongside its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Context of Project 

Iraqi Cinematheque Project

The Iraqi Cinematheque Project aims to safeguard and valorize the film and audiovisual archives held by the Leading Committee for Iraqi Visual Memory. Years of crisis in Iraq have caused profound damage to the country, including its infrastructure and historical heritage. Part of the cinema and media archives has been preserved under rudimentary conditions, accelerating their deterioration. However, these archives constitute a highly valuable historical and symbolic heritage. Iraq lacks the expertise in the restoration and digitization of audiovisual archives as well as the necessary equipment. The project intends to train identified Iraqi cultural professionals in the techniques of managing and valorizing audiovisual and film archives. The project is divided into 4 components:

Component 1: Training Iraqi professionals in the assessment and inventory of Film archive collections.

Component 2: Training Iraqi professionals in cleaning and repairing film archive collections.

Component 3: Training Iraqi professionals in digitizing and digital restoration of Film archive collections.

Component 4: Dissemination and promotion of these archives through the organization of a mobile cinema film festival in Baghdad, Iraq

The project is designed to be implemented over a period of 30 months. The French National Audiovisual Institute (INA) has already been identified as a scientific partner for the program.

MISSIONS DESCRIPTION

Expertise France (EF) is looking for a local expert specialized in audiovisual digitization, video editing, and post-production based in Baghdad for the Iraqi Cinematheque Project. The Iraqi Cinematheque Project aims to safeguard and valorize the film collection archives held by the Leading Committee for the Iraqi Visual Memory from the Prime Minister's office with the cooperation of the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. Years of crisis in Iraq have caused profound damage to the country, including its infrastructure and historical heritage. Part of the cinema and media archives has been preserved under very rudimentary conditions, accelerating their deterioration. However, these archives constitute a highly valuable historical and symbolic heritage. Iraq lacks the expertise in the restoration and digitization of audiovisual archives as well as the necessary equipment. The project intends to train identified Iraqi cultural professionals in the techniques of managing and valorizing audiovisual and film archives.

The Embassy of France in Iraq supports the project. Expertise France (French international technical cooperation agency), in close collaboration with the Institut national de l'audiovisuel (INA) is in charge of the implementation of the project.

Under the supervision of the Expertise France Project Officer in Baghdad and the Senior Expert, the Digitization and Post-Production Expert will handle the technical aspects of film scanning, digital preservation, color grading, and video editing for the project in Baghdad. He/she will also work in close cooperation with representatives of the Leading Committee for the Iraqi Visual Memory and the Project Manager, following the project from Expertise France’s headquarters in Paris. The expert will actively engage in the advanced phases of the project: digital preservation, digital restoration, scanning workflows, and media promotion.

The main responsibilities of the position, and the core competencies required include:

Phase 1 & 2 - Technical Support & Digital Inventory Setup

• Logistical & Data Coordination: Support the technical team in preparing the metadata and digital nomenclature for the film collections.
• Pre-Digitization Assessment: Assist the Senior Expert in evaluating the physical condition of the films from a digital scanning readiness perspective.
• Database Maintenance: Update and maintain the digital lists and detailed information for each cataloged film using dedicated spreadsheet tools.

Phase 3 - Digitization, Film Scanning & Digital Restoration

• Scanner Operation: Operate the project's film scanner and manage the ingest workflow under the supervision of the Project Officer, Senior Expert, and INA.
• Color Grading & Image Management: Perform professional color correction and grading to match historical preservation standards using DaVinci Resolve.
• Digital Restoration & Compositing: Address digital artifacts, stabilize, and repair scanned frames using Adobe After Effects and specialized restoration tools.
• Electronic Library Management: Work on building, structuring, and securing the electronic digital archive library post-digitization.
• Reporting: Provide detailed technical weekly and monthly reports on the digitization volume and archive status to the Project Manager.

Phase 4 - Post-Production, Publishing & Promotion

• Short Video Production: Edit, stitch, and produce short institutional and promotional videos documenting the project's milestones, training sessions, and success stories.
• Content Creation: Handle basic sound mixing, editing, and rendering of promotional materials for external communication.
• Festival Support: Technical preparation of the digitized and restored films for public screens, specifically supporting the upcoming Mobile Cinema Festival activities.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Technical & Post-Production Skills

• Video Editing & Compositing:
  • Software Mastery: Advanced proficiency in DaVinci Resolve and Adobe After Effects for seamless post-production workflows.
  • Content Creation: Ability to edit, stitch, and deliver professional short promotional and institutional videos documenting project milestones.
  • Digital Repair: Skills in visual artifact removal, frame stabilization, and digital restoration techniques.
• Color Grading & Image Science:
  • Color Correction: Solid expertise in digital color grading, primary/secondary corrections, and look-matching.
  • Image Management: Comprehensive understanding of digital video formats, aspect ratios, codecs, and color spaces.

Skills in Digitization & Archiving

• Scanner Operation & Ingest:
  • Workflow Management: Ability to operate advanced film scanners and manage the digital ingestion process efficiently.
  • Quality Control (QC): Sharp eye for identifying digital defects, framing anomalies, or capture errors during digitization.
• Data & Archive Management:
  • Storage Control: Skills in managing heavy video files, secure digital backups, and structured server directories.
  • Metadata Tracking: Utilizing Excel for precision cataloging, metadata entry, and structural database building.

Integrative & Communication Skills

• Teamwork and Communication:
  • Collaboration: Working effectively with local trainees, the Senior Expert, and international institutional partners.
  • Language Proficiency: Strong capability in speaking, understanding, and writing in English to facilitate reporting and international cooperation.
  • Reporting Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Microsoft Teams for effective operational reporting.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving:
  • Troubleshooting: Critical thinking to analyze and resolve software bottlenecks, format errors, or hardware interface issues.
  • Time Management: Prioritizing scanning schedules and post-production deadlines under tight project timelines.

REQUIRED PROFILE

• Proven Work Experience: Verified experience in the post-production department of audiovisual works, specifically focusing on video editing, digital restoration, or color grading.
• Educational Background: A university degree in Fine Arts, Cinema, Media, Digital Production, or Heritage specializations, with a solid foundational knowledge of archiving and media preservation frameworks.
• Specialized Training: Proven participation in technical workshops and advanced training programs related to filmmaking, digital restoration, non-linear editing, or archival management.
• Archival Affinity: Proven experience or documented interest in working with historical film and media collections.
• Advanced Software Mastery: Strong professional command of DaVinci Resolve (for editing and color grading) and Adobe After Effects (for visual effects and digital restoration), including the ability to assemble short video content. A professional portfolio or showreel is required.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in speaking, understanding, and writing in English to ensure seamless coordination with international experts and partners.
• IT & Data Competency: Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, professional email communication, and Excel for precision metadata tracking and inventory analysis.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent personal communication skills, a collaborative team-worker mindset, and the ability to effectively coordinate technical workflows.

Application procedure

Only applicants who apply as per the below details will be shortlisted.

• This position is based in Baghdad and Maybe travels to Erbil and possibly other governorates.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage everyone to apply. We particularly encourage women to apply and contribute to our diverse and inclusive work environment.

• Deadline of submission: 6th of August 2026 23:59

• All applications must include the following (In English and in PDF format only) :Detailed CV , maximum 3 pages
• Cover Letter/motivation letter (explaining suitability for the position)                                                                                        
• Applications should be sent to erbil.recruitment@expertisefrance.fr , using the following subject: “ Digitization and Post-Production Expert "                                                      
• Expertise France reserves the right to close the announcement prior to the stated deadline as applications are screened on a rolling basis and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
• Incomplete applications and wrong title formats will not be considered.