National Expert on Competency-based Recruitment in Public Administration (SSA)

Background:

In the second half of 2023, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia adopted the 2023-2030 Public Administration Reform (PAR) Strategy and the related Action Plan for 2023-2026. The priority pillar “Public Service and Human Resources Management in the Public Sector” has identified “de-politicized and professional public administration” as the main policy objective. Further on, the activity measures under this pillar of the action plan are designed to enhance the role of competency and merit-based interviews and recruitment/selection processes in public administration. 

To contribute to achieving the above objective and boost a better balance between the principles of equitable representation and merit-based recruitment in public administration, the activity is directed towards the revision of the current interview guidebook intended for the members of recruitment bodies of the public administration institutions, which is outdated. The aim is to develop a modern interview guidebook that would offer innovative and updated procedures, evaluation criteria, scoring and overall interactions between the interview bodies and the potential candidates for administrative servants. 

Objective of Assignment: 

The objective of the assignment is the development of modern and innovative guidelines for competency-based recruitment in the public administration in North Macedonia, 

Duration of Assignment:

The foreseen period of engagement will be from July to November 2024, for up to 40 consultancy days. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the relevant National Programme Officer, the National Expert will be responsible for: 

1. Content analysis of the current Guidelines for conducting interviews in the public administration recruitment procedures;
2. Preparation of a comparative analysis of regional and international experiences similar to the PAR HR Management system in North Macedonia;
3. Development of applicable procedures and relevant scenarios for conducting interviews;
4. Proposal of applicable methodology for scoring of interviewed candidates;
5. Development of a draft innovative guidelines for competency-based recruitments in the public administration in North Macedonia;
6. Close cooperation with the coordinative WG consisting of representatives from the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ministry of Information Society and Administration (MISA) and the Agency for Administration (in charge of the technical organization of interviews in the public sector recruitments);
7. Contribution to the WG meetings designed to review, contribute to, and approve/endorse the revised interview guidebook drafted by the national expert;
8. Development of agenda for the work of the coordinative WG;
9. Development of a training module to be delivered to ten MISA staff, based on the newly developed guidelines for competency-based recruitments in the public administration in North Macedonia;
10. Conducting training for internal MISA staff (three-days workshop) based on the newly developed guidelines for competency-based recruitments in the public administration in North Macedonia.

Deliverables:

1. Comparative analysis of regional and international experiences similar to the PAR HR Management system in North Macedonia prepared;
2. Innovative guidelines for competency-based recruitments in the public administration in North Macedonia developed;
3. Training for internal MISA staff (three-days workshop) conducted based on the newly developed guidelines for competency-based recruitments in the public administration in North Macedonia.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Citizenship of or permanent residence in the Republic of North Macedonia;
• Second-level university degree in law, public administration reform, human resources, or other field of social sciences relevant to the area of engagement;
• Proven professional experience in public administration reform in North Macedonia, including the application of innovative processes;
• Proven professional experience in the recruitment of personnel in a public institution;
• Proven professional experience in developing manuals, guidebooks, strategies or similar documents for a central government line ministry;
• Experience in developing training modules and transferring knowledge to professionals in public institutions; 
• At least 5 years of experience in implementing international / donor-funded project activities;
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, organizational and writing skills; 
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English and local languages;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work 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.

Payment will be made upon successful completion of all tasks and responsibilities.

If you wish to apply, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org

Please note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Online Application Form or in other languages than the English language would not be considered.

The recruitment procedure may take up to two months and we will be in further contact with you only if you are selected for an interview. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or offer the position with modified terms of reference or a different duration.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

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.