International expert on drafting project proposal

Background:
Following the completion of the Needs Assessment Report “Strengthening the Capacities of Public Security Authorities for Emergency Measures in Mountainous and Remote Areas” (June 2025), several critical gaps and recommendations were identified to enhance Albania’s emergency preparedness and response capacities.
The assessment, conducted by Austrian experts under the auspices of the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria (BMI), highlighted systemic challenges in inter-agency coordination, lack of standardized operational procedures, insufficient volunteer structures, gaps in training and resource utilization, and fragmented emergency call management.
Particular attention was drawn to the need to improve:
•    The alpine police service for search and rescue operations in mountainous and remote areas;
•    The fire service, including prevention, equipment, and inter-agency cooperation;
•    The health emergency system, ensuring integrated response mechanisms with other first responders.
In light of these findings, the OSCE Presence in Albania intends to hire an International Expert to design a comprehensive, results-oriented project aimed at strengthening Albania’s national and local emergency response system.

Objective of Assignment: 
To develop a full-fledged project proposal that operationalizes the recommendations of the 2025 needs assessment, focusing on institutional strengthening, capacity building, inter-agency coordination, and technical modernization of emergency response services in Albania, with particular attention to alpine police, fire service, and health emergency components.

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy is envisaged to be concluded during a period of 2 months, starting from February 2026.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
1.    Review and analyse the Needs Assessment Report and relevant legal, institutional, and operational frameworks;
2.    Consult with key stakeholders (national and local authorities, donor community, emergency services, and NGOs) to identify priorities, partnerships, and implementation modalities; conduct meetings as necessary
3.    Develop a comprehensive project framework, including:
4.    Overall goal, specific objectives, expected results, and outputs;
5.    Logical framework (log frame) with indicators, baselines, and targets;
6.    Detailed work plan and implementation timeline;
7.    Risk analysis and mitigation measures
 

Deliverables:
1.Inception Report (within two weeks of contract signature), including methodology, work plan, and consultation schedule.
2.Draft Project Proposal, incorporating the assessment findings and stakeholder feedback.
3.Final Project Document (approx. 30–40 pages) including:
-Executive Summary
-Context and Rationale
-Project Framework (goal, outcomes, outputs, activities)
-Log frame and M&E framework
-Budget and implementation plan
-Sustainability and partnership strategy
4.Presentation of the Final Project Proposal to OSCE and national partners
 

Necessary Qualifications:

•    Advanced university degree in emergency management, public safety, security studies, disaster risk reduction, or related field;
•    Minimum 10 years of international experience in developing and implementing emergency response or civil protection projects;
•    Proven experience in designing project proposals for international organizations (preferably OSCE, EU, or UN agencies);
•    Expertise in mountain rescue, fire service operations, or health emergency systems;
•    Strong understanding of inter-agency coordination, volunteer systems, and staff work methodologies;
•    Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills in English;
•    Experience working in South-Eastern Europe is 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.