Local Consultant to draft a Manual on Constructive Notice (SSA)

Background:

The Mission works with Kosovo institutions to promote and protect the property rights of non-majority communities, displaced persons and women. In this regard, the Government has prioritized the strengthening of property rights as a fundamental component of human rights, rule of law, economic development, and social stability. The Strategy on Property Rights (the Strategy) outlines a series of legal and administrative reforms aimed at ensuring legal certainty in property transactions, including the application of Constructive notice to enhance transparency and reduce disputes. The Constructive Notice aims to increase efficiency of proceedings impacting property rights while safeguard rights to due process. The Strategy specifies that Kosovo policies on Constructive notice should be consistent with EU guidelines on due process. In this context, a manual on Constructive notice is required to provide clear guidance to all relevant institutions such as ministries, municipalities, courts, notaries, and the Cadastral Agency. Therefore, an external local expert with experience on constructive notice will be engaged to draft the manual using his/her expertise to advance property rights processes in Kosovo ensuring in this way more efficient and effective protection of the property rights.   

Objective of Assignment: 

To develop a manual on the application and enforcement of the principles of Constructive notice in property-related matters. The manual will be based on the Strategy, on existing legal framework, and international best practices.

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant will be hired for 3 months. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare a concept note and submit to the Project Activity Manager for review and clearance:
2. Prepare a Stakeholder Consultation Report, which will be cleared by the Project Activity Manager:
3. Prepare a first draft manual, which will be cleared by the Project Activity Manager:
4. Prepare a final version of the manual and submit to the Project Activity Manager for review and comments.

Deliverables:

• Within two weeks of contract signing submits an inception report to the Project Manager;
  Performance indicator: The timely submitted concept note containing: the methodology, the workplan, and preliminary findings.  
• Within six weeks of contract signing submits the Stakeholders Consultation report;
  Performance indicator: The report provides an analysis of feedback received from consultations and proposed revisions from the activity project manager.
• Within nine weeks of contract signing submits a first draft of the manual;
  Performance indicator: The draft manual is a well-structured document covering all key aspects of Constructive notice.
• Within twelve weeks of contract signing submits the final version of the manual to the Activity Project Manager.
  Performance indicator: In the final version of the manual, feedback from the project activity manager is fully incorporated and the document is ready for publishing.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Law, Public Administration, or a related field;
• At least 5 years of experience in property law and/or legal and policy reform;
• Proven experience in legal research, publishing, policy and legal drafting, or manual development;
• Extensive knowledge of Kosovo legal framework on property rights;
• Proven experience on property international legal standards and best practices;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
• Strong report-writing abilities;
• Excellent knowledge of English, including excellent communication and drafting skills;
• Professional fluency in Albanian or Serbian languages, both oral and written;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

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 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.