National Consultant to support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in implementation of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (SSA)

Background:
To ensure environmental security of the country, increase climate resilience and preserve natural heritage, the President Sadyr Zhaparov signed the Decree “On declaring the period 2023 - 2027 as the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions”. In 2023, the Concept and Roadmap for the implementation of this initiative were also approved. In line with this Decree, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Special Representative of the President on mountain agenda and the MFA co-ordinate efforts of all government bodies on development of mountain regions.
The topic of promoting mountainous agenda is quite important for Government of Kyrgyzstan. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan together with Andorra established the Mountain Partnership Negotiating Group (based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to address climate change issues. To date, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Armenia, Pakistan, Albania, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso and Mali have joined the group. Apart from that, the Declaration on Climate Change, Mountains and Glaciers, initiated by Kyrgyzstan in 2024, received endorsement from 21 country. The country is in full swing preparing to host the Second Global Mountain Summit "Bishkek+25" next year as a result of the Five Years of Action on Mountain Development.
Considering the importance of supporting the initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of sustainable development, including the promotion of the climate and mountain agenda at regional and global levels as well as hosting the Second Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek in 2027, at the request of MFA, in 2026 the POiB will continue providing expert assistance to the MFA in advancing the Five Years of Action. The POiB will contract one national consultant, who will be working for the MFA’s Department of International Organizations by focusing on topics of sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection.

Objective of Assignment: 
Under the ESDRR project act. 2.5 providing expert support to the MFA in implementation of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Develop Monthly Progress Report (MPR) in line with the deliverables;

2. Draft a work plan with specific activities and deadlines, approved by the MFA’s Department of International Organizations;

3. Monitor implementation of the Roadmap;

4. Implement practical activities to support the MFA in preparation and conducting the Second Global Mountain Summit Bishkek+25 in 2027;

5. Facilitate joining of new countries to the Declarations relating to Climate Change, Mountains and Glaciers, initiated by Kyrgyzstan;

6. Facilitate joining of Italy, Nepal, Bhutan, and Zimbabwe (countries that have previously expressed their willingness to join) to the Mountain Partnership Negotiating Group, established by Kyrgyzstan and Andorra;

7. Prepare information package (background information, presentations, talking points, etc.) for participation of Kyrgyz delegation/MFA leadership in events on mountain development;

8. Provide assistance to the MFA in terms of delivery of public information in implementing the Five Years of Action by: - drafting documents and papers on initiatives of Kyrgyzstan;
   - drafting information products for further submission to local/international media;
   - collaborating with media on maintaining public relations and ensuring visibility of the activities run by the MFA;

9. Provide MFA ad hoc expert support in implementing the Five Years of Action by:
   - conducting desk research on sectors specific to the development of mountain regions, as needed;
   - undertaking meetings with stakeholders on matters related to implementation of the Roadmap, as needed;

10. Translate respective documents from English into Russian, Kyrgyz and vice versa;

11. Submit a final report on the activities carried out.

Deliverables:

1. Monthly Progress Report (MPR);

2. Work plan approved by the MFA’s Department of International Organizations during the first month of work;

3. A report on implementation of the Roadmap, including conclusions and recommendations (for half-year period); respective information included in the MPR;

4. A report on implemented work by focusing on the partners who have been invited to the Second Global Mountain Summit Bishkek+25 and confirmed their participation at a high level (if available); respective information included in the MPR;

5. Number of new countries joined the Declarations. The list is provided; respective information included in the MPR;

6. Number of countries joined the Group; respective information included in the MPR;

7. Information package, draft speeches, presentations and other related materials; MPR with respective information included;

8. Respective information included in the MPR;

9. Final report accepted/approved by the MFA’s Department of International Organizations.
    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in Social Sciences, Law, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Economics or other related fields

• At least 2 years of working experience in the field of economic development, environmental protection and climate change;

• Prior work experience in government agencies, international donor organizations or related projects in the field of sustainable development, climate change, environmental protection is an advantage;

• Good understanding of the social, economic and political context in Kyrgyzstan;

• Excellent analytical and writing skills;

• Professional fluency in Russian and Kyrgyz with excellent communication skills (both oral and written);

• Professional fluency in English is highly desirable;

• Strong computer literacy, including practical experience with Microsoft Office applications;

• 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.

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.