Consultant, Democratic Control of Armed Forces in the area of gender equality (SSA)

Background information

The OSCE Support Program for Ukraine implements the project “Strengthening Democratic Control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces” together with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The project objective is to enhance effectiveness of Ukrainian military authorities’ efforts in raising awareness and promoting DCAF and its key areas such as rights and freedoms of military personnel, gender equality in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, interaction between the Ukrainian Armed Forces, civil society and media as well as integrity in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The project builds on the achievements of previous projects in the area of democratic control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted from 2017 to 2022 by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCUk) and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The OSCE Support Program for Ukraine needs to involve an Expert on Democratic Control of Armed Forces in the area of gender equality to provide services as per the task described below in cooperation with four other local experts.

Please note that this is a short-term consultancy assignment of a temporary nature for the duration of 23 days. The consultant will be required to work from home and conduct meetings and consultations if necessary.

Tasks

The OSCE is looking to recruit an expert who is assigned to do the following task in cooperation with four other local experts:

1)    Develop a handbook and leaflets on rights and social guarantees of military personnel and their family members during the martial law:

To complete the tasks, the following materials should be studied:

• National and International Legislation and Important Literature
  •    analyse current Ukrainian legislation, including the Law on Social and Legal Protection of Military Servicemen and Members of their Families and orders of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in the area of rights and social guarantees of military personnel and their family members during the martial law;
  •    analyze and integrate the current Ukrainian legislation on the martial law;
  •    elaborate a section on main rights and freedoms of military personnel based on the following international legislation: 
  •    OSCE Code of Conduct in the Politico-Military Aspects of Security, 
  •    European Convention on Main Rights and Freedoms,
  •    International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 
  •    International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 
  •    United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325;
  •    analyse and take into account the OSCE Compendium on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel;
  •    analyze and take into account the Guidebook on Main Rights of Military Personnel, elaborated by the OSCE in 2020;
  

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
•    analyze activities of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;
•    conduct interviews (if needed) at the Ministry of Defence and General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;

Parliament of Ukraine (Ombudsperson)
•    analyze activities of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;
•    conduct an interview (if needed) with a representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;

Civil Society
•    analyze activities of main civil, volunteers’ and women's organizations regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;
•    analyze publications and video in the media regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;
•    conduct interviews (if needed) with representatives of civil society organizations and media regarding rights and social guarantees of the military personnel and their family members;

Gender Component

•    integrate a gender component into the handbook and leaflets;
•    develop a section or paragraphs on rights and social guarantees for female military servicepersons;
•    analyze and take into account the Law of Ukraine on Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities of Women and Men;
•    analyze and take into account UNSCR 1325 and the National Action Plan of Ukraine;
•    analyze and take into account 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality;
•    analyze and take into account the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
•    analyze and take into account the "Guide to Gender Integration in the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Forming the Gender Competence of a Military Professional", developed by the OSCE in 2020;

•    analyze and take into account the “Gender and Security-Tool 3: Defence and Gender”, prepared by DCAF, ODIHR and the UN;
•    analyze and take into account the “Gender Impact Assessment of the Security and Defence Sector of Ukraine”, conducted by the UN Women in Ukraine in 2017;
•    analyze and take into account the manual "Women, Peace and Security: Information and Methodological Collection for Staff of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of Ukraine", developed by the UN Women in Ukraine in 2020;
•    analyze and take into account "Women, Peace and Security: Information and Training Manual for Security Sector Experts", developed by the OSCE in 2017;
•    analyze and take into account the Guidebook for Gender Advisors developed by the OSCE/ODIHR in 2023;

Co-operation
•    co-ordinate, inform, involve and co-operate with respective departments, directorates and units of the Ministry of Defence, General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and National Defence Univertisity regarding the development of the handbook;
•    co-ordinate, inform and co-operate with respective state authorities of Ukraine regarding the development of the handbook.

Job Requirements

•    University degree in military, social/political sciences or another related field;
•    Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in gender equality;
•    Experience in co-operation with the security and defence sector of Ukraine will be a plus;
•    Experience in implementation of international projects in the above-mentioned area will be a plus;
•    Participation experience in events on democratic control of the armed forces will be a plus;
•    Experience in developing guidebooks, handbooks or other publications will be a plus;
•    Professional knowledge of Ukrainian and working knowledge of English;
•    Excellent communication skills with proven research and drafting skills;
•    Computer literacy.

Remuneration Package

Remuneration will be in accordance with the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine established consultancy rates.

We strongly encourage applicants to use the online application system at https://vacancies.osce.org; the Requisition/Vacancy Number is OSC000296. The deadline for applications is 01 October 2023. 

If you experience technical problems using the online application system, please contact us at oscepcu-recruitment@osce.org, indicating the Requisition/Vacancy Number and issue faced.

Applications received after the published deadline will not be considered. Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted. Details of the assignment and contract may be further discussed during the interviews.

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

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

Candidates should be aware that OSCE consultants shall conduct themselves at the highest personal and professional level at all times, while on assignment and shall not act in a manner which is likely to bring discredit to the Organization in general. 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 https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

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