National Consultant, Cybersecurity Mentorship Program for Women

Background:

Through support to advancement and implementation of OSCE and international commitments, the Project on Building Sustainable Cybersecurity Capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina contributes to gender equality and greater engagement and inclusion of women in security affairs. As the BiH institutions lack budgeted/earmarked funds for relevant internal and external technical training and professional certification of dedicated staff; and in order to bolster BiH's human capacities for work on cybersecurity, this activity entails instituting a mentoring programme to capacitate, connect and empower women cyber professionals. 

This activity is dedicated to empowering women through education and training in cybersecurity and will seek to bridge the gender gap in the cybersecurity industry by providing targeted mentorship and guidance to women participants. Each mentee will be paired with a prominent woman professional in cybersecurity leadership and decision-making positions. The mentees will benefit from job shadowing, workshops, networking opportunities, study visits, and participation at OSCE events, as applicable. The mentoring programme will be informed by related OSCE efforts, as well as by the OSCE roadmap for establishing mentor networks in the OSCE area. It will also draw on the experience and networks/rosters established by other organizations – such as Women4Cyber (W4C) national chapter. 

Objective of Assignment: 

The Mission to BiH would like to engage five (5) National Consultants to effectively provide professional guidance and support to multiple mentees participating in the activity. Upon completion, the mentees shall incentivize professional and academic excellence in the field of cybersecurity, having developed both technical and soft skills essential for success in their professional development and cybersecurity industry

Duration of Assignment:

This is a consultancy assignment with an expected duration of approximately 10 working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer, and working directly with the Department of Security Co-operation Cybersecurity Team, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Preparing a structured mentorship plan, including topics and outlining the schedule for individual mentees and group activities;

2. Sharing relevant resources, including study materials, online courses, industry insights, and networking opportunities, with mentee; 

3. Providing accurate and up-to-date guidance to mentees, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities in the cyber sector; 

4. Conducting regular job shadowing and providing technical expertise in various cybersecurity domains, such as network security, information security and cybersecurity tools; 

5. Assisting mentees in developing both technical and soft skills essential for success in the cybersecurity industry;

6. Supporting participation in the events organised by the OSCE Cybersecurity Team and facilitate group discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects among other Project mentees to foster peer learning and teamwork;

7. Participating in periodic evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the mentorship assess the progress of a mentee, providing individualized constructive feedback and identifying areas for improvement;

8. Advising mentee on career paths and job search strategies and opportunities, 

9. Submitting report on the progress of the mentee and any challenges encountered during the mentorship process.

Deliverables:

- A structured mentorship plan outlining the schedule for individual mentee and group activities, as well as topics to be covered. A document outlining the proposed methodology and work plan to be delivered within 5 working days after contract initiation;

- Regular mentorship sessions for individual mentees with reports or information once a month in two six-months periods;

- Attendance of group activities, when organised by the Mission and delivery of reports and list of participants.

- Final report at the end of the mentorship period incorporates summarizing the overall progress, outcomes, and recommendations for future to be delivered within 15 days upon termination of the activities.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina.

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in computer science, cybersecurity or a related field;
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience at a senior level, including theoretical and practical expertise in the area of cybersecurity;
•  Prior experience in mentoring or coaching multiple individuals, particularly in a technical or educational setting;
• Possession of strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, practices, and industry trends, enabling the mentor to provide accurate and up-to-date guidance to mentees, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities in the cyber sector;
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively convey information, provide guidance, and establish a supportive relationship with the mentees;
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting the professional development of women in technology;
• Excellent research, drafting and reporting skills, including the ability to present complex or sensitive topics in a clear and understandable manner;
• Professional fluency in English and local languages with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Asset:

• Additional certificates in the field on cybersecurity

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.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The applicants are encouraged to submit their financial proposals for the foreseen services, which will include:

1. A total number of days required to complete the task;
2. A total amount for a daily consultancy fee including all associated costs.

This position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

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.