Roster Call for Election Technology Trainers (SSA)

Background:
 

Following the successful implementation of the pilot projects, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of BiH initiated activities to introduce two specific technologies into the electoral process in BiH, primarily through the procurement of devices and software for biometric voter identification and authentication (BVID), as well as the procurement of optical scanners with direct transmission of results and software licenses for the automatic counting of ballots. 

Through its extra-budgetary project "Improving the integrity of 2024 and 2026 electoral processes in BiH in line with the ODIHR recommendations and international standards", the Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Mission) will support trainings of trainers (ToTs) who will further train operators of BVIDs and optical scanners for both 2026 General Elections (GE) and 2028 Local Elections (LE). To secure operative functions of the hardware, the operators will be engaged by the CEC BiH and the selected company to activate and operate with BVID devices and optical scanners on the election day.

In order to train the operators of election technology devices, the Mission will hire 15 instructors/trainers to carry out 14 one-day train the trainer (ToT) sessions for up to 500 participants (trainers) throughout the BiH.Trained participants will be certified to conduct trainings of operators ahead of 2026 General Elections and 2028 Local Elections in all 143 municipalities across BiH.

In order to enable proper handling and operation of the BVIDs and optical scanners at polling stations, the participants (trainers) will be trained on the following:

• Presentation of the BVID’s hardware and its components; installation, device set-up and diagnostics of the equipment and its components; functionalities of the BVID; understanding the application used during the electoral period (Voter Verification); Voter Identification Scenarios; problem Identification/ troubleshooting; practical exercises with the BVID; scenario-based problem solving; hands-on set-up, operation and troubleshooting as well as CEC BiH administrative procedures regarding handling devices;

• Presentation of the optical scanners’ hardware and its components; installation, device set-up and diagnostics of the equipment and its components; functionalities of the optical scanners; understanding the application used during the electoral period (application name); ballot scanning scenarios; problem Identification/ troubleshooting; practical exercises with the optical scanners; scenario-based problem solving; hands-on set-up, operation and troubleshooting as well as CEC BiH administrative procedures regarding handling devices.

Objective of Assignment: 
 

This consultancy is aimed to support the training and certifications of the trainers of operators of BVID and optical scanners by providing technical skills and experience, and will contribute to the increased capacity of CEC BiH to administer election process.

Duration of Assignment:
 

Up to 14 working days in the period June to September 2026.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
 

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

• Provide fourteen (14) one-day trainings to trainers of operators who will be handling BVIDs and optical scanner devices on the Election Day.

Deliverables:

1. Lists of participants with approximately 500 trainers across BiH;

2. Participants/trainers are equipped and skilled to handle BVIDs and optical scanner devices;

3. Short report on the undertaken tasks.
 

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 a relevant field;

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in the field of information technologies; A minimum of six (6) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the first-level university degree;

• Experience in delivering trainings of technical nature;

• Experience in supporting similar projects dealing with election technologies;

• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge concerning the operation of BVIDs’ and optical scanners’ hardware equipment and software solution;

• Understanding the context of the BiH environment and the election systems in BiH;

• Professional fluency in local languages with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;

• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office tools.

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.