Local Consultants for Dialogue Academy Alumnae (SSA)

Background:

Under its Project “Enhancing Societal Democratic Participation Capacities and Capabilities (Phase 3)”, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (the Mission) continues to address the challenges and provide opportunities for enhancing public and political participation and representation, focusing particularly on initiatives to enhance the role of women. Through its field operations, the OSCE has a long track record of supporting dialogue and confidence building initiatives bringing together stakeholders from across the Western Balkans region. 

Since 2012, the Mission and the OSCE Mission to Serbia facilitated a series of meetings that brought together prominent women from Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade to exchange views and best practices on meaningful engagement of women in decision-making in both societies, known as the “Follow Us” Initiative. As part of a joint action plan, the Dialogue Academy for Young Women (DA) from Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade was established. 

Overall, the DA is a unique activity that specifically addresses Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade relations in the context of OSCE confidence-building measures and enhances the capacities of young women to become leaders of change, in line with the Women and Youth, Peace and Security agendas (UN Security Council Resolution 1325, UN Security Council Resolution 2250). To date, the OSCE has organized nine DA editions. The first five editions took place in the Peace Castle in Stadtschlaining, Austria; the sixth edition was organized online due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; the seventh edition took place in Mavrovo, North Macedonia; the eighth edition in Mauerbach, Austria; and the ninth edition recently concluded in Struga, North Macedonia.

As part of the upcoming 10th DA to be held in second half of September or first half of October 2024, the Mission is seeking to hire two (2) DA alumnae as local consultants for peer-to-peer mentoring and co-delivering the DA programme. The selected consultants, one from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and one from the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s areas of responsibility, will have first-hand knowledge and experience of the DA from their active contributions in past editions.

The selected consultants will be responsible for supporting hired international consultants, and the organizers – the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the OSCE Mission to Serbia – in guiding the group through the DA programme and facilitating participants’ interactions and relationship building. They will also be responsible for ensuring that participants are comfortable and guided throughout the entire programme and feel empowered to actively participate in all activities. 

Over the course of the assignment, the consultants will contribute and co-facilitate sessions/panels that are included in the 10-day DA module, including its comprising sessions, such as the session on “Women in Politics”. Finally, they will present the DA Alumnae Network, its core components and features, and further illustrate how participants can effectively engage with it.

In addition to these core responsibilities, the consultants, in close collaboration with the hired facilitators and the Public Participation Section (PPS) Activity Manager will co-design and co-facilitate team-building sessions. As part of this, the selected DA Alumnae will receive the necessary professional guidance and support in order to contribute to effective implementation of the DA programme.

The consultants must ensure equal opportunity for all participants to intervene and contribute to the discussions. They should possess the ability to summarize information in a clear and concise manner; and to be able to co-facilitate the dialogue and exchange of diverse opinions. Furthermore, they must be able to guide the discussion towards productive outcomes/objectives of the programme.

After the completion of the consultancy, the consultants will provide the PPS Activity Manager a final activity report, including lessons learned and recommendations for the way forwards.

Objective of Assignment: 

To contribute to the successful implementation of the 2024 DA. By providing their expertise and guidance, the consultants will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the 2024 DA and creating a positive learning experience for all participants.

Duration of Assignment:

The consultants will be engaged for 13 working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with the hired facilitators and the PPS Activity Manager, the consultants will:
Co-design and co-deliver at least three (3) team-building exercises that promote collaboration, communication, and trust among the participants and equip them with practical and relevant transferable skills, specifically on dialogue;

• Co-deliver sessions/panels jointly with the international consultants, as per the final DA programme;
• Present the DA Alumnae Network and how the participants can engage with it, as per the final DA programme;
• Provide support to participants on a daily basis to ensure they understand the programme and are able to actively participate in all activities, especially by providing feedback and answering any questions they might have;
• Assist participants in establishing networking relationships with their peers and foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere, throughout the 10-day programme;
• Help building confidence and relationships between participants throughout the 10-day programme, in collaboration with the organizers and international consultants;
• Provide logistical assistance and troubleshooting support to the organizers to ensure that sessions run smoothly and the participants have a positive productive experience. 

Deliverables:

• During the period 1 June – 15 September 2024, the consultants will finalize with the international consultants and the PPS Activity Manager the modalities for co-delivering sessions/panels that are included in the overall 10-day DA module. During the same period, the consultants, together with the international consultants and the PPS Activity Manager, will finalize the teambuilding exercises to be organized as part of the DA programme (two days).
• During the DA (exact dates TBC, between mid-September and mid-October), the consultants will be engaged in providing support to the implementation of the 2024 DA including by co-facilitating sessions/panels that are included in the 10-day DA module. During the same period, the consultants will: 
         Co-deliver no less than three (3) team-building exercises; 
         Present the DA Alumnae Network, and how the participants can engage with it, as per the final DA programme; 
         Assist participants in establishing networking relationships with their peers; 
         Help build confidence and relationships between participants; and 
         Provide support to participants to ensure they understand the DA programme (10 days)
• By 15 November 2024, the consultants will submit to the PPS Activity Manager the final activity report. The report should outline: 
        Feedback received by participants regarding the DA Alumnae Network and its activities; 
        Participants feedback on the effectiveness of the team-building exercises, programmatic support provided, and logistical support offered; 
         Recommendations for potential improvements to enhance participants’ experience and engagement. (one day)

Performance Indicators:

• Requested deliverables are of high quality and timely submitted to the PPS Project Manager for final approval in line with the timeline above (see deliverables);
• Sessions/panels that are included in the 10-day DA module are effectively co-delivered;
• At least three (3) team-building exercises are usefully co-designed and co-delivered;
• At least 70% positive feedback on the work of the consultants by participants upon receipt of the evaluation form by participants;
• The final reports are submitted on time and to the quality agreed upon. 

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in political science, international relations, social sciences, gender studies or relevant professional experience; with a good understanding of the socio-political situation in the region;
• Alumnae of the OSCE Dialogue Academy for Young Women;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with programme facilitators and participants;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse interlocutors;
• Expertise in programme facilitation and delivering training sessions to diverse audiences, while being knowledgeable in managing group dynamics;
• Availability to commit to the DA programme schedule;
• Excellent knowledge of English and Albanian or English and Serbian.
• OCN accreditation in mediation and conflict resolution obtained via the Study Visits to Northern Ireland organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo in 2022 and 2023 is a strong asset.

In order to apply for this position, you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. Applicants are encouraged to use the online recruitment and only fully completed OSCE applications will be accepted. However, if you have technical difficulties with the system, you may use the offline application form found at Offline application form | OSCE Employment and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: consultancy.omik@osce.org. In line with your qualifications please indicate a preference for one or more fields of expertise listed above (while using the online application the field of expertise preference can be indicated in the cover letter part). Kindly note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or other languages than the English language would not be considered. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply.

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.