International Consultant on Civil Registration and Access to Documentation (SSAs)

Background:

The Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area provides ODIHR with a specific mandate to advise and assist OSCE participating States in their efforts on ensuring that Roma and Sinti play an equal part in the society, and that discrimination against them is tackled. The mandate extends to crisis and post-crisis situations translating that ODIHR provides support to participating States to respond effectively to crisis circumstances while safeguarding protection of Roma communities at risk.  

In view of the war, ODIHR has put in place rapid responses to the arising concerns through its project Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine Project. To that end, ODIHR conducted human rights monitoring with focus on Roma, built the capacity of Roma and pro-Roma human rights defenders, including women, and ensured venue for dialogue among authorities, civil society and international community. The Office is also providing needed assistance to the Ukrainian government to support their commitments on Roma during the wartime. In this respect, ODIHR aims to develop a compendium of good practices on addressing civil registration and lack of documentation amongst Roma communities. This tool is intended to inform state’s efforts on tackling this issue while ensuring that the right of legal identity is guaranteed for Roma people.

The compendium should contain an easy-to-navigate structure while incorporating essential knowledge. This tool should be practical in assisting both central and local authorities when devising and implementing measures and programmes aimed to tackle lack of documentation among Roma communities. The substance of this compendium should not duplicate the information from other publications commissioned by OSCE structure or any other institutions.     

Objective of Assignment: 

The objective of this consultancy is to aggregate a collection of leading good practices and successful examples from selected OSCE participating States, including in post-conflict environments, in building an inclusive identity system and advancing legal identity and documentation among Roma communities. The compendium will also incorporate common messages and learnings gained from exploring selected countries’ experiences. This tool is intended primarily for the use of Ukrainian authorities, yet it can be of a helpful use for other participating States which seek ways to address civil registration and lack of documentation. The expected length of the publication is around 35 pages. 

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant is expected to work for up to 15 working days during the period December 2024 – May 2025. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Consultants will work remotely under the supervision of the Associate Programme Officer on Roma and Sinti Issues. The Consultant will be responsible for:

1. Developing the methodology and skeleton of the compendium in line with ODIHR’s guidance and input, as needed, as well as to address the feedback provided by ODIHR.

2. Conducting extended research to inform the development of the compendium and avoid duplication of existing information.

3. Attending review meetings (ad hoc or planned) to ensure proper implementation and monitoring of the activity as well as to discuss achieved progress, arising challenges and limitations.

4. Developing the compendium that will:

   • Analyse relevant national policies, frameworks and positive measures directed at facilitating the access of Roma to documentation and describe their implementation, including shortcomings and achieved progress.
   • Elaborate on procedures and modus operandi that advanced the registration process, established legal identity and issued identification credentials.
   • Examine forms and layers of cooperation between different stakeholders and structures and how such cooperation helped to improve legal registration and documentation among Roma.
   • Describe programmes/activities/action i.e., outreach and information campaigns that had a positive impact on Roma communities as with regards to improving registration and documentation and encouraged sustainable changes.
   • Provide a comprehensive overview of good practices as well as learnt lessons on enabling access to legal identity and documentation for Roma. 

5. Addressing the comments and feedback provided by ODIHR and ensure that fit edits and review is conducted as such.

6. Ensuring that gender and intersectional perspectives are incorporated throughout the publication and that the language, format and style aligns with the OSCE Style Manual.

7. Providing an advanced draft of the compendium to ODIHR.

8. Following with diligence and professionalism the tasks as determined by the supervisor and included in the Terms of Reference.

9. Carrying out other tasks connected to the present activity. 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, law, social sciences, political sciences, or a related field.
• Five years of experience on matters concerning Roma and/or national minorities, including in conflict and post-conflict settings.
• Familiarity with international standards and OSCE commitments related to Roma and Sinti and excellent knowledge of human rights situation of Roma in the OSCE region.
• Good understanding of the issue of civil registration and documentation among Roma and/or national minorities in the OSCE region is considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated research and/or publishing work experience related to civil registration, statelessness and lack of documentation, including cross-country studies/reports.
• Excellent communication, analytical and drafting skills.
• Demonstrated tact and political sensitivity along with gender and cultural awareness, and an ability to integrate the gender perspective into tasks and activities.
• Excellent English language skills, including writing skills.
• Flexibility and ability to work under minimal supervision and deliver against tight deadlines.
   

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 https://vacancies.osce.org/.

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 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.