International Consultant - Roster Call for Experts on Critical Infrastructure and/or Soft Targets Protection from Terrorist Attacks

Background:

The OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) adopts a comprehensive approach to security, addressing a wide array of concerns including arms control, confidence-building, human rights, economic and environmental issues, and counter-terrorism. This approach spans three key areas: politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions. All 57 participating States of the OSCE have equal status, and decisions are made by consensus, though they are politically, not legally, binding.

The Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), particularly through its Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU), serves as the primary entity for coordinating and facilitating the OSCE's counter-terrorism activities. TNTD/ATU plays a crucial role in supporting the OSCE’s counter-terrorism efforts by providing assistance to the Chairperson-in-Office, the Secretary General, and participating States. This includes helping participating States implement their counter-terrorism commitments and enhancing cooperation with other international organizations and United Nations (UN) bodies.

As part of its counter-terrorism efforts and in line with the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight Against Terrorism (PC.1063), TNTD/ATU works to enhance co-operation and build capacity to improve the security of international transportation and other critical infrastructure, as well as to support the implementation of inter alia UN Security Council resolutions 2341 (2017), on the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks, and 2396 (2017), which references the protection of soft targets from terrorist attacks, and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. These OSCE and UN commitments reflect growing concern about the ability of terrorists and violent extremists to attack critical infrastructure and soft targets – collectively termed ‘vulnerable targets’.  

To support its participating States to enhance the protection of vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks, TNTD/ATU is engaged in several initiatives on this topic, including PROTECT Project, which enhances national approaches across the OSCE area on the protection of vulnerable targets from terrorist threats and other hazards through the provision of specialized guidance, technical assistance and opportunities for regional co-operation and dialogue on effective security practices.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat

Objective of Assignment: 

The OSCE is seeking qualified experts to join its roster to support the implementation of technical assistance activities, the development of specialized guidance and other duties as required.

This exercise is aimed at building a roster of experts with one or more of the following areas of expertise:

1.     Risk assessments for individual critical infrastructure assets and/or soft targets;

2.     Interdependency analyses for critical infrastructure sectors and systems;

3.     Business continuity management;

4.     Crisis management and emergency planning for terrorist attacks;

5.     Physical security measures for critical infrastructure assets and/or soft targets (including security lighting, perimeter security, intrusion detection systems, structural considerations, access control, targeting hardening practices, etc.);

6.     Insider threat mitigation;

7.     Public-private partnerships for vulnerable targets protection;

8.     Critical infrastructure resilience;

9.     Human rights considerations when countering terrorist threats, in particular as it relates to vulnerable targets protection;

10.  Legal and governance frameworks related to vulnerable targets protection, including policies, strategies, laws, cooperation mechanisms.

Once placed on the roster, candidates will be considered for relevant consultancy opportunities. Those shortlisted will be contacted to confirm their interest and availability, with the final selection potentially involving an interview and written assignment. 

Experts who have already been added to the roster are not required to reapply.

Duration of Assignment:

This is a roster call. Duration of the assignment depends on the tasks and deliverables assigned.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The OSCE is seeking qualified candidates to contribute to the following tasks:

1. Designing content for workshops and training events based on guidance and inputs from the OSCE and beneficiaries;
2. Delivering content for workshops and training events;
3. Building scenario-based exercises based on guidance and inputs from the OSCE and beneficiaries;
4. Facilitating live scenario-based exercises;
5. Conducting research, identifying international good practices and drafting policy advice, documents and reports on technical topics within the field of vulnerable targets protection (i.e. hostile vehicle mitigation, insider threat management, etc.);
6. Participating as a technical expert on OSCE-led missions and events.

Deliverables:

Candidates are requested to indicate their area(s) of expertise and number of years of experience in their application’s cover letter while making reference to the above-mentioned areas of expertise.

The expert might be hired in order to cover one or several tasks listed above. Assignment-specific tasks and responsibilities and the required level of expertise will be outlined in the terms of references shared with the candidates short-listed for a specific assignment.

Necessary Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• Depending on the assignment, either a first or second level university degree in social sciences, international relations, political science, law, security studies, engineering or any other field related to counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, public safety or technical expertise gained through other types of education (e.g. relevant police, military or security service education).
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional (technical) experience in the field of policing, security, counter-terrorism, violent extremism prevention, engineering, human rights;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent writing skills; knowledge of Russian and other languages spoken in the OSCE area is a strong asset;
• Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders;
• Analytical skills to assess emerging threats and propose practical responses in both policy and implementation contexts.
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;

Desirable:

• Professional experience working with international and/or regional organizations;
• Geographical expertise in the OSCE area, in particular Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe, would be an asset. 

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.