Trainer on crisis management for national human rights institutions (NHRIs) (SSAs)

Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR’s activities are implemented in 57 participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate. Among ODIHR’s main fields of activity is election observation as well as a large number of assistance projects in the areas of democratic institution building, the rule of law and human rights.

The Human Rights Department works to assist OSCE participating States in maintaining a human rights-based approach in addressing all security challenges and in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, through gender-sensitive monitoring, capacity building and expert advice on laws, policies and practices.

In 2022, ODIHR published the “Strengthening the Resilience of NHRIs and responding to Threats – Guidance tool”.

The tool explains how both leaders and staff members of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) can build and maintain long-term resilience and prepare themselves to respond to threats. It outlines 12 factors that contribute to the resilience of an NHRI and gives advice on strengthening resilience in practice. In addition, a chapter of the guidance tool is related to crisis and risk management. The tool also provides checklists for resilience management planning and for developing an action plan for threat response.

Based on this guidance tool, in the past year, ODIHR has developed four step-by-step pilot guides for facilitators within NHRIs on resilience assessment, resilience building, risk assessment and risk management and shared and presented them to a selected group of NHRIs.

As a final step in the strengthening the resilience of NHRIs, ODIHR is planning to organize a training on crisis management for NHRIs.

Crisis management is understood as developing strategies and plans to address sudden, significant negative events that threaten an organization or an institution, by minimizing damage, ensuring business continuity, and restore operations after a crisis. Crisis management skills are important for NHRI staff as they may help them in identifying potential crises, developing response plans, and implementing communication strategies in times of crisis.
 

Objective of Assignment: 

The NHRI portfolio of ODIHR’s Human Rights Defenders team requires the service of an international consultant, expert on crisis management to design the training curriculum, prepare the learning materials for the training, to deliver the training.

The consultant will work closely with the ODIHR Human Rights Adviser of the Human Rights Department’s NHRI portfolio and with other selected trainers, as necessary.

The specific objectives of the training are:

• For NHRI participants to learn about crisis management and to acquire practical understanding of crisis management for an NHRI;
• For NHRI participants to exchange information and engage in practical group exercises;
• For NHRI participants to be equipped with the necessary knowledge to share and put into practice when a crisis happens within their work in their institutions without disrupting operations. 

Duration of Assignment:

14 working days 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Human Rights Adviser, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Participate in virtual preparatory meetings with ODIHR Human Rights Adviser, and other possible experts or facilitators. 
2. Advise ODIHR on the concept note for the training on crisis management and on a pre-training survey. 
3. Design a 2,5-day training structure, prepare an annotated agenda and sessions content outline for the training, with ODIHR’s feedback. 
4. Prepare content of the training and training materials, handouts, presentations, group exercises for the in-person training on crisis management. 
5. Implement ODIHR’s feedback and comments, as needed, and tailor the training to NHRIs’ needs.
6. Coordinate with ODIHR Human Rights Adviser and other experts involved. 
7. Deliver the training in-person in Warsaw, Poland, in September or November 2025 (dates to be confirmed). 

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see: http://www.osce.org/odihr

Necessary Qualifications:

• First level university degree in security studies, international relations, political science, management, human rights or related field;
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in the field of crisis management, risk management, organizational resilience or similar;
• In depth knowledge of crisis management strategies and methodologies, as well as tailoring responses and approaches to crises for organizations or institutions;
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical expertise and in designing and delivering training and capacity building activities;
• Prior working experience with international organizations, such as the United Nations, OSCE and Council of Europe, is a requirement;
• Prior work or familiarity with national human rights institutions (NHRIs) is considered an asset;
• Fluency in the English language, both oral and written, including excellent communication and drafting skills;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office and other digital tools;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds.

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.