International Consultant - Roster Call for Experts on Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSAs)

Background:

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) 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, although they are politically rather than legally binding.

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

Since 2014, the CPC has been raising awareness and building capacities related to Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) within the OSCE through a series of extra-budgetary projects. The third phase of the project Support, capacity-building and awareness-raising for SSG/R within the OSCE began in 2023. The main objective of this SSG/R project is to promote cross-dimensional, coherent and co-ordinated SSG/R assistance within the OSCE, in line with the SSG/R Guidelines for OSCE Staff. The work of the project is embedded in the CPC’s efforts to address the multi-faceted causes of conflict, as part of its work to strengthen OSCE capacities in all phases of the conflict cycle.

The project’s programmatic focus is divided into four key pillars: (1) political: increasing awareness, visibility and dialogue about SSG/R among participating States; (2) institutional: increasing the OSCE’s internal capacities to promote and implement a coherent and co-ordinated approach to SSG/R; (3) operational: assisting interested participating States in their SSG/R efforts; and (4) partnerships: strengthening co-operation with multilateral organizations, academia and civil society related to SSG/R.

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 consultant experts to support the review of policies, the building of capacities, the development of knowledge and awareness products and other duties as required.

Consultants will be placed on a roster, and experts are sought for various SSG/R thematic areas and for their experience in working with security sector actors, as defined in the SSG/R Guidelines for OSCE Staff, and with experience in the following areas:

1. Strategic policy reform planning, monitoring and evaluation in the security sector;
2. Internal oversight and control within security institutions, with a focus on disciplinary procedures and complaint and redress mechanisms;
3. Human resources and performance management in the security sector;
4. Anti-corruption and integrity building in the security sector;
5. Democratic civilian control of the security sector, with a focus on the role of parliamentary oversight, human rights defenders, civil society and media actors in oversight of the security sector;
6. Human rights protection, tolerance and non-discrimination within security sector institutions;
7. Women, Peace and Security; gender mainstreaming; promoting women’s engagement in the security sector; and combatting sexual and gender-based violence;
8. Transparency and access to information within special regimes of confidentiality;
9. Countering disinformation and enhancing capacities for strategic communication on security sector reform;
10. The nexus between justice, the rule of law and security sector reform;
11. The nexus between climate change, disaster risk management and SSG/R.

Following a selection process, qualified candidates will be added to the roster. Rostered experts will be considered for relevant consultancy opportunities within the OSCE. Those shortlisted will be contacted to confirm their interest and availability. The final selection may include an oral interview and written assignment.

Experts who have already been added to the roster are not required to re-apply.

Duration of Assignment:

This is a roster call, with no guarantee of employment. The duration of the assignment will be dependent on its tasks and deliverables.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

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

1. Conducting research, identifying international good practices and supporting the development of policy documents, knowledge and awareness-raising materials in the area of SSG/R, based on the guidance of the OSCE and its beneficiaries;
2. Designing and delivering training, and contributing to other capacity-building events organized by the OSCE for its staff and its national and international partners;
3. Providing technical expertise for and/or participating in OSCE-led events, including facilitating policy dialogue.

Deliverables:

In their application cover letter, candidates are requested to indicate their area(s) of expertise and years of experience, with reference to the above-mentioned thematic areas.

Experts may be contracted to complete a single task or a combination of tasks, as listed above. Assignment-specific tasks and responsibilities as well as the required level of expertise will be outlined in the terms of references, which will be shared with the candidates who are short-listed for a specific assignment.

Necessary Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• Depending on the assignment, a first- or second-level university degree in social science, international relations, political science, law, security studies, human rights or any other field related to SSG/R; and/or technical expertise gained through other types of education (e.g., a relevant police, military or security service education institution);
• A minimum of six years of relevant professional (technical) experience in the field of SSG/R at the national but, preferably, international level;
• Experience in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of security sector reforms;
• Experience in designing and delivering training, capacity-building and awareness-raising material related to SSG/R;
• Proven analytical ability to assess emerging risks and to propose practical responses in both policy and implementation contexts;
• Demonstrated professional fluency in English with excellent writing skills;
• Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• 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;
• Computer literate with practical experience in using Microsoft applications.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of Russian and/or other languages spoken in the OSCE area would be a strong asset;
• Professional experience with international and/or regional organizations would be an asset;
• Geographical expertise in the OSCE area, in particular Central Asia, Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe and the South-Caucasus, would be an asset. 
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; professional fluency in Russian would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

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.