International Expert to draft the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for the period of 2026-2030 for the Assembly of Kosovo (SSA)

Background:

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is committed to supporting the Assembly of Kosovo (AoK) in enhancing its institutional performance and responsiveness through strategic planning and long-term visioning.  Building on its current Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2022–2025, the Assembly aims to develop a forward-looking SDP for the period 2026–2030. The new strategy will reflect evolving priorities, foster institutional modernization, and strengthen parliamentary functions in line with international standards.

To support this process, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo will engage a qualified international expert with extensive experience in strategic planning within legislative or governance contexts. The international expert will provide comparative analysis of good practices, ensure structured methodological approach, and incorporate international good governance standards. The international expert will work in close cooperation with a local expert to complete this task. The international and local expert will coordinate their efforts and complement each other’s work, bringing together international best practices on the one hand, complemented by in-depth knowledge of the local institutional and political context on the other hand.
 

The aim of this assignment is to provide expert support to the AoK in developing its SDP 2026–2030 through a participatory, evidence-based, and results-oriented process. The expert will lead the drafting of the strategy and facilitate a validation workshop to ensure institutional ownership and alignment with stakeholder input.
 

The SDP 2026-2030 will serve as a roadmap for institutional development over the next five years to enhance the Assembly’s legislative, oversight, and representative functions. It will support institutional strengthening by offering a clear, measurable, and actionable framework for the 2026–2030 period. In addition, it will focus on the inclusion of under-represented groups in public processes and discourse. In this context, the SDP will integrate considerations related to gender equality, youth empowerment, and non-majority community inclusion. This aligns with the Assembly’s broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
 

All outputs, including the final SDP 2026–2030, shall be the property of the Assembly of Kosovo and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The consultant shall treat all information obtained during the assignment as confidential and shall not use or share it without prior written consent.
 

Objective of Assignment: 

Providing expert support to the AoK in developing the Assembly’s Strategic Development Plan 2026–2030 through a participatory, evidence-based, and results-oriented process.

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant will be hired for 20 working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Inception Note and Workplan

• Conduct a preliminary desk review of the current SDP 2022–2025 and related institutional documents.
• Draft and submit an Inception Note outlining the methodology, workplan, key milestones, and proposed structure of the Assembly’s SDP 2026–2030.
• Input submitted for review and approval to the OSCE/ Activity manager. 
   

Stakeholder Consultation Process and Summary Report

• Conduct interviews, focus groups, and/or online consultations to collect input on institutional priorities, challenges, and strategic focus areas.
• Produce a concise Consultation Summary Report (3–5 pages) highlighting key findings and strategic inputs.
   

First Draft of the SDP 2026–2030

Prepare and submit the first complete draft of the SDP 2026-2030, including, but not limited to:
       Vision, Mission, and Core Values
       Strategic Objectives and Expected Results
       Priority Development Areas
       Implementation Action Plan
        Indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation
 

Validation Workshop

• Design and facilitate a participatory validation workshop with AoK stakeholders.
• Present the first draft of the SDP and collect structured feedback.
• Prepare a brief summary report outlining the feedback received and key adjustments to be incorporated.

Final SDP and Supporting Materials

• Revise and finalize the SDP incorporating all feedback.
• Prepare and submit the Final version of the SDP 2026–2030
• Input submitted for review and approval to the OSCE/ Activity manager and the Assembly of Kosovo 

Communication and Coordination

• Maintain regular communication and coordination with the local expert throughout the entire process; 
• Maintain regular communication and coordination with the OSCE activity manager and the AoK, and provide regular briefs and status reports, as requested.

Final Consultancy Report

• Submit a final report summarizing the assignment, including:
            Objectives of the consultancy 
            Activities undertaken and
            Deliverables produced;

Deliverables:

Inception Note and the Workplan will include the proposed methodology, workplan, key milestones, and draft structure of the Assembly’s SDP 2026 - 2030.The document will be submitted within 20 working days from the date of contract signature.
All deliverables shall be submitted to both the OSCE and the international expert within 20  days of contract signature.
Consultation Summary Report submitted following the completion of the first round of consultations with Assembly leadership, staff, and stakeholders. The report will include key inputs, findings, and recommendations to guide the drafting process.
The document finalized and validated by OSCE and Assembly of Kosovo within 40 working days of contract signature.

First Draft of the SDP 2026–2030 Submitted for review following the initial drafting process. The draft will include, but not be limited to: Vision, Mission, and Core Values; Strategic Objectives and Expected Results; Priority Development Areas; Implementation Action Plan; Indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation .This deliverable will serve as the basis for consultations and revisions leading to the final SDP. The document submitted for feedback within 60 working days of contract signature.
 

Design and facilitate a participatory workshop with Assembly of Kosovo stakeholders to present the first draft of the SDP 2026–2030 and collect structured feedback.
 

Prepare a brief report outlining the feedback received during the workshop and key adjustments to be incorporated into the SDP.
 

Validation Workshop completed and feedback summary submitted to OSCE and Assembly of Kosovo within 70 working days of contract signature.
 

Revise and finalize the SDP 2026–2030 by incorporating all feedback received from consultations, the validation workshop, and other stakeholders.

Prepare and submit the final version of the SDP 2026–2030, including any supporting materials necessary for implementation and reference.

Final draft of the SDP 2026–2030 and summary materials submitted and accepted by all stakeholders within 80 working days of contract signature.

Coordination with Local Expert through maintaining regular communication and coordination with the local expert throughout the entire SDP 2026–2030 drafting process.

Coordination with OSCE and AoK through maintaining regular communication and coordination with the OSCE activity manager and the Assembly of Kosovo, providing periodic briefs, status reports, and updates as requested.
 

Prepare and submit a final report summarizing the entire consultancy assignment.
The report will include:
Objectives of the Consultancy outlining the purpose and intended outcomes of the assignment.
Activities Undertaken detailing the tasks, consultations, and processes implemented during the assignment.
 

Produced a listing of all deliverables submitted, including drafts, reports, workshops, and the final SDP is drafted within 3 months.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in political science, public policy, international development, or a related field;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in strategic planning, preferably with parliaments, legislative institutions, and/or public administration;
• Demonstrated knowledge of good governance, institutional reform. Experience with parliamentary development would be considered as a strong asset;
• Strong facilitation and drafting skills, with experience in leading the validation workshop;
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken); knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian language would be considered as an asset;
• Experience in drafting policy papers, strategies, action plans and similar documents; 
• Strong analytical and communication skills;
• Outstanding writing and reporting skills; 
• Experience in conducting interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys for primary data collection;
• Capacity to co-ordinate with a multitude of interlocutors to ensure comprehensive data collection;
• Capacity to work and coordinate with local expert;
   

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 Employmten and  forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: consultancy.omik@osce.org. 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 formats than the OSCE Application Form, or other languages 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.