National Consultant, Voter Education Strategy 2025-2028

Background:

One of the recommendations regularly repeated by the ODIHR is related to the enhancement of the voter education programs. In that sense, the Mission during 2020 supported development of the Voter education strategy 2020 – 2023, along with the Action plan. This document sets out three objectives for the CEC BiH: 1) Build in-house capacities of CEC BiH in designing and implementing voter information and electoral education programs; 2) Strengthen the knowledge of voters on the CEC BiH role, the electoral and democratic process, and on their rights and responsibilities and 3) Inform citizens in a timely and complete manner about electoral procedures, their rights, and obligations related to an election and the different roles they could assume in an election. 

The Mission will support the CEC BiH in developing a new 2025-2028 Strategy for the upcoming elections, which provide CEC with a framework that will help the institution to systemically educate and inform targeted categories of voters, such as first-time voters, women, elderly population, etc. about electoral procedures, their rights, and obligations related to an election and the different roles they could assume in an election.  

The Mission seeks to engage two (2) national experts to undertake a comprehensive review of domestic laws as well as appropriate by-laws and practices concerning voter education, and develop a voter education strategy programme, which will increase the capacities of the CEC BiH and introduce an innovative voter educational programme. 

Objective of Assignment: 

Development of a voter education strategy that will provide a clear overview of existing voter education practices, asses their strengths and weaknesses and provide clear guidance for further improvement of the entire voter education process. Overall, this will improve the voters’ knowledge about their rights and importance of voting, which will increase their trust in the integrity of electoral process in BiH.

Duration of Assignment:

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

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the National Political Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1.    Undertaking a comprehensive review of domestic laws as well as the according by-laws concerning the issue of voter education;
2.    Conducting an in-depth review of ODIHR Recommendations related to voter education following the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 General elections held in BiH;
3.    Gathering all the relevant information in relation to the legislative and practices;
4.    Developing an action plan in order to address the issue of voters' education;
5.    Producing the voter education strategy and programme.

Deliverables:

• All relevant provisions concerning the issue of voter education reflected in the Strategy document.
• All relevant recommendations related to voter education incorporated into the Strategy document.
• All relevant information included in the Strategy document.
• The action plan is an integral part of the Strategy document.
• The strategy ready to be presented and delivered.

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:

• First-level university degree in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, or other related fields;
• A minimum of six (6) years of professional experience in administering the field of civic education campaigns and activities related to the election processes;
• Experience of working on similar projects dealing with election process;
• Previous experience in developing similar education strategies and action plans;
• Demonstrated experience in drafting various reports;
• Understanding the work and tasks of the OSCE Mission;
• Professional fluency in English and local languages with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;
• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Excellent organizational skills, with ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks and process large amounts of information
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

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.

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.