National Coordinator (SSA)

Please note that the vacancy is open for Kazakhstan nationals and permanent residents of Kazakhstan only.

Background:
The OSCE Program Office in Astana (Office), in collaboration with ICEP (an independent, non-profit Austrian development organization based in Vienna) and KFCSED (Kazakhstan Foundation for Cultural, Social and Educational Development), is launching an enhanced series of entrepreneurship programs in Almaty and Almaty Oblast.
Following a successful pilot last year, the initiative aims to take a step forward by doubling the number of beneficiaries while strengthening a practical and replicable support model for women entrepreneurs.
The program combines hands-on training, mentoring, and access to real market opportunities, enabling participants to move from idea to income generation. A strong focus is placed on implementation, ensuring that women actively develop and test their business initiatives throughout the program. The initiative also fosters a supportive community and expands partnerships with platforms and ecosystem actors to facilitate market access and long-term sustainability. The program adopts a cross-dimensional approach, promoting both economic empowerment and social inclusion.
The workshops target women from vulnerable groups — particularly mothers of large families and those with limited access to employment — strengthening their skills, confidence, and access to sustainable economic opportunities.
 

Objective of Assignment: 
The Office requires the services of two national coordinators to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the women’s economic empowerment programme. The coordinators will be responsible for coordinating all stakeholders (mentors, participants, and trainers), maintaining high levels of engagement, and ensuring that each participant actively engages in hands-on practice and progresses in the development of her own business initiative.

Duration of Assignment:
4 months

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Economic and Environmental Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Coordinate and oversee the planning and implementation of a multi-group entrepreneurship training programme, ensuring consistent delivery across all participant cohorts.
2. Organize and monitor the delivery of structured training sessions, mentoring activities, and practical implementation exercises in line with programme objectives and timelines.
3. Support participant recruitment through a multi-stage selection process, including application review, interviews, and onboarding, ensuring clear communication of programme expectations.
4. Facilitate participant engagement and retention by maintaining regular communication, tracking attendance, and supporting active participation throughout the programme.
5. Liaise and coordinate with trainers, mentors, experts, and logistical teams to ensure effective programme delivery and alignment of all stakeholders.
6. Organize mentor onboarding, provide guidance on roles and methodologies, and ensure appropriate matching between mentors and participants.
7. Monitor participant progress, including business development activities, and provide ongoing support to encourage practical application and income-generating outcomes.
8. Ensure timely preparation and availability of training materials, including handouts, templates, and learning resources.
9. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of attendance, participant progress, and programme activities, including photo and narrative documentation.
10. Facilitate regular coordination meetings with stakeholders and ensure effective communication and feedback loops between all parties.
11. Prepare periodic and final reports summarizing programme performance, including participation rates, engagement levels, and business outcomes.
12. Identify challenges, best practices, and opportunities for programme improvement, and contribute to continuous learning and adaptation.
13. Support the organization of networking events, thematic sessions (including human rights), and the final graduation event.
14. Contribute to building partnerships with external platforms and market actors to enhance participant access to customers, services, and business opportunities.
15. Ensure post-programme follow-up, including alumni engagement and continuity of support mechanisms.

Deliverables:
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Programme Office in Astana, please see: https://astana.osce.org/

Necessary Qualifications:

• Recognized University degree in management, economics, business, education, or a related field;

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in project management, preferably within education, NGOs, or social impact initiatives;

• Proven ability to plan, co-ordinate, and monitor multi-stakeholder programmes;

• Strong facilitation, communication, and presentation skills to engage diverse groups effectively;

• Demonstrated capacity to work independently, take initiative, and manage tasks with minimal supervision;

• Strong resilience and ability to work under pressure in fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environments;

• Ability to balance supportive guidance with accountability, encouraging participant ownership without reducing responsibility;

• High adaptability to different participant profiles, learning stages, and socio-economic backgrounds 

• High level of emotional intelligence, patience, and interpersonal sensitivity in working with vulnerable groups;

• Flexibility, responsibility, and strong attention to detail;

• Fluency in Kazakh and Russian; proficiency in English is a strong advantage;

• Experience in delivering or managing practice-oriented educational or entrepreneurship programmes is considered an asset;

• 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;

• 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. It will be discussed during the interview. Payment will be transferred in local currency (tenge) to the bank account of the consultant.

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.