International consultant on development of Mission Strategic Framework 2026-2030 (SSA)

Background:

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo (the Mission) is initiating the development of its Strategic Framework for 2026–2030, a process that will define the Mission’s strategic priorities, high-level outcomes, and approaches for the coming years. This new framework will build on the achievements and lessons learned from the current 2023–2025 strategy cycle. It will integrate findings from the mid-term review, internal and external evaluations, stakeholder consultations, and analysis of the evolving political and security context in Kosovo.

As the Mission’s central guiding document, the Strategic Framework shapes programme planning, advocacy priorities and impact monitoring across all areas of work. To ensure the new framework is both relevant and effective, the planning process must be inclusive and evidence-based and aligned with OSCE-wide strategic direction, while remaining responsive to the needs of local institutions and communities.

To guarantee a robust, participatory, and methodologically sound process, the Mission seeks to engage an experienced international consultant, with a strong record in strategic planning. The consultant will bring methodological rigour and objectivity, facilitating the integration of diverse perspectives and input and the application of international best practices in strategic planning. The consultant will support the Mission to conduct analyses of existing strategic and programmatic documents, develop a concise Theory of Change (ToC), and design a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework that will provide a necessary benchmark to measure the Mission’s work through 2030. This consultancy aims to strengthen the Mission’s strategic direction, enhance accountability, and maximise the impact of its work in Kosovo.

Objective of Assignment: 

To support the Mission in designing a high-level, results-oriented, inclusive, and evidence-based Strategic Framework 2026–2030, underpinned by a coherent Theory of Change and M&E framework, all of which aligns with OSCE principles.

Specific tasks:

• Develop the methodology for the preparation process and the design of the 2026-2030 Mission Strategic Framework;
• Review of the existing strategic documents, progress review reports, relevant programmatic documents and evaluations;
• Facilitate and guide an inclusive strategic planning and preparation process;
• Develop a contextual analysis and facilitate the development of a theory of change;
• Define strategic priorities, high-level outcomes, outputs, and impact areas for the new strategic cycle;
• Design the Mission’s 2026-2030 Strategic Framework;
• Ensure the mainstreaming of non-majority communities is systematically integrated as a core cross-cutting priority engagement across all programmatic areas;
• Continue the integration of gender equality and youth mainstreaming as key cross-cutting themes in all planning and implementation efforts;
• Design an M&E framework that will serve as a benchmark through 2030. 

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant will be hired for 40  working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct desk review, contextual analysis, and stakeholder consultations
2. Implement consultations (remote and in-person interviews) within OMIK and with external stakeholders; theory of change development workshop
3. Drafting of Strategic Framework, ToC and development of M&E framework
4. Validation, integration of feedback, and finalisation of the 2026-2030 Strategic Framework

Deliverables:

Desk review and contextual analysis completed produced by 30 September 2025. 

Desk review should cover a minimum of 20 core strategic and operational documents, both internal and external. This includes mandate, past Mission strategies, the mid-term review of the current strategy, Mission’s Performance Based Programme Budgeting documents, evaluation reports, Mission’s SWOT analysis, key thematic or sectoral analyses, and relevant OSCE-wide policy documents. 

Parameters:

• Executive summary (one page)
• Context overview (political, social, economic, institutional aspects)
• Key trends and developments relevant to the Mission’s mandate
• Main findings and gaps in current strategic approach
• Stakeholder mapping (high-level)
• Annex: Bibliography/list of documents reviewed; interview list, guide and questionnaires for the planned interviews and consultations

Consultations and interviews conducted (including ToC workshop); summary of inputs and outcomes documented by 31 October 2025 

Number of consultations:

• At least five group consultation sessions within the Mission with the different departments/relevant Mission Members
• One Theory of Change workshop with 10+ participants (senior management of the Mission).
• Outputs of the Theory of Change workshop (visual, graphic ToC model, notes, identified pathways)

First draft of Strategic Framework 2026–2030 produced with accompanying visual ToC; detailed M&E framework developed by 30 November 2025

• Draft the 2026-2030 Strategic Framework: minimum 15 pages document (excluding annexes), with clearly defined strategic goal, strategic priorities, objectives, high-level outcomes and guiding principles.
• Accompanying Theory of Change: one-page visual diagram, explanatory text.
  Detailed M&E Framework, with clear outcomes, key performance indicators, means of verification (MoV), and targets (at least one indicator per outcome).

Expected structure of the Strategic Framework document: 

• Executive summary (max 2 pages)
• Background/contextual rationale (based on desk review and consultation process)
• Vision, mission, and core values
• Strategic goal, priorities and objectives (with justification)
• High-level results/outcomes (SMART)
• Theory of Change (visual, narrative 1–2-page explanation)
• Implementation plan, considerations/risks
• Annex: M&E framework - matrix with KPIs, baselines, targets, frequency, data sources (MOVs), responsible sections/departments;
• Draft workplan/timeline; bibliography

Feedback validated and integrated; final Strategic Framework 2026–2030 completed and submitted by 19 December 2025.

• Draft documents circulated to the Mission for comments and feedback to be integrated;
• An additional online validation meeting may be organised if needed, based on demand or emerging issues;
• Final document: 20 pages (excluding annexes), integrating all required sections and finalised ToC and M&E framework. 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, public policy, or related field;
• Minimum 10 years of proven experience in strategic planning and/or evaluation in international organisations;
• Demonstrated experience with ToC development;
• Proven track record mainstreaming gender, youth and non-majority communities into strategy design;
• Familiarity with OSCE field operations or similar environments is strongly preferred;
• Sound knowledge of the political, institutional, and societal context in Kosovo is highly desirable;
• Excellent analytical, writing, and conceptualisation skills, with a demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, and structured strategic documents for diverse audiences;
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience leading participatory processes and workshops;
• Professional fluency in English.

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.

In order to apply for this position, you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under OSCE Careers - Jobs. Applicants are encouraged to use the online recruitment, and only fully completed OSCE applications will be accepted. However, if you have technical difficulties with the system, you may use the offline application form found at Offline application form | OSCE Employment and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by email to: consultancy.omik@osce.org.

Applicants are requested to submit a proposed methodology for the assignment, as well as a relevant sample of previous work. The selection process will include interviews along with presentation of the consultants’ proposed methodology.

In line with your qualifications, please indicate a preference for one or more fields of expertise listed above (while using the online application the field of expertise preference can be indicated in the cover letter part). Kindly note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different format other than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages other than the English language would not be considered. 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.