International Media Regulatory Consultant

Background:
The OSCE Presence in Albania, through its project “Enhancing Media Literacy, Legal Frameworks and Journalistic Standards in Albania,” supports national institutions, media professionals, journalists, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders in strengthening Albania's media environment.
One of the project's principal areas of intervention concerns the strengthening of the legislative and regulatory framework governing the media sector, with particular emphasis on media freedom, institutional independence, transparency, accountability, pluralism and alignment with relevant European and international standards.
The Audio-Visual Media Authority (AMA) is Albania's independent regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the audiovisual media sector. An effective, transparent and contemporary regulatory framework is essential for ensuring fair competition, safeguarding the public interest, promoting media pluralism and protecting freedom of expression, while also responding to the rapid technological and regulatory developments affecting the European media landscape.
In this context, Activity 2.5 of the project envisages the engagement of an international legal expert to conduct a comprehensive review of AMA's existing bylaws and other relevant regulatory acts, assess their alignment with the applicable European Union legal framework and relevant international standards, identify regulatory gaps and inconsistencies, and formulate concrete recommendations for their harmonization and improvement. The recommendations produced under the assignment are intended to support AMA in its regulatory reform efforts and may also inform the work of the relevant Parliamentary Committee, depending on the nature and scope of the proposed reforms. 
The assignment should take into consideration relevant European Union legislation and policy developments affecting the audiovisual and broader media sector, including, where applicable, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), as well as other pertinent European and international legal instruments and standards.

Objective of Assignment: 
The objective of this SSA consultancy is to engage the services of an high-level international legal expertise to support the review and further development of the regulatory framework governing Albania's audiovisual media sector.

More specifically, the international expert will conduct a comprehensive legal assessment of AMA's existing bylaws and relevant regulatory acts against the applicable EU legal framework and international standards, identify legislative and regulatory gaps, inconsistencies or areas requiring further clarification, and prepare practical, legally sound and implementable recommendations for their harmonization and improvement.
The assignment should contribute to strengthening the transparency, effectiveness, independence, accountability and legal certainty of audiovisual media regulation in Albania
 

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy is envisaged to be developed during a period of 1 month.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
1. Desk review and methodological preparation

2. Assessment of AMA's Regulatory Framework

3. Identification of Regulatory Gaps and Inconsistencies
4. Stakeholder Consultations
5. Preparation of Draft Legal Assessment and Recommendations

6. Presentation and Validation of Findings
 

Deliverables:
Review the relevant Albanian legal framework, AMA bylaws and regulatory acts, as well as the applicable EU and international legal instruments, and define the methodology for the assessment.

Conduct a comprehensive legal analysis of AMA's existing bylaws and relevant regulatory instruments against the applicable EU legal framework and international standards.
Identify gaps, overlaps, ambiguities, outdated provisions, and areas where further regulatory or legislative amendments may be required.
Participate in consultations with AMA and other relevant stakeholders to gather input, validate preliminary findings, and better understand practical implementation challenges.

Prepare a draft report containing the legal analysis, identified gaps, relevant comparative practices, and concrete recommendations for harmonization.
Present the preliminary findings and recommendations to the OSCE Presence and relevant stakeholders and gather substantive feedback.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Education
  •    Advanced university degree in law, European law, international law, media law, communications law, human rights law, regulatory law or other related field. 
  A first-level university degree in combination with additional qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

  
  Professional Experience
  •    A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in legal and regulatory analysis, preferably in the areas of media law, audiovisual regulation, European Union law, freedom of expression or communications regulation; 
  •    Demonstrated expertise in the EU audiovisual and media regulatory framework;
  •    Demonstrated engagement with a media regulatory body. 
  •    Sound knowledge of relevant EU legislation and European standards governing audiovisual media services and media freedom; 
  •    Demonstrated experience in reviewing legislation, secondary legislation, bylaws or regulatory instruments and preparing legal recommendations; 
  •    Previous professional experience working with independent regulatory authorities, public institutions, international organizations or similar bodies; 
  •    Experience conducting comparative legal analysis and applying international or European standards to national legal frameworks; 
  •    Experience in drafting high-quality analytical reports, legal opinions, policy papers or legislative recommendations. 

  
  Desirable Qualifications
  •    Previous experience working with audiovisual media regulators or equivalent independent regulatory authorities; 
  •    Demonstrated familiarity with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the European Media Freedom Act; 
  •    Knowledge of emerging European regulatory frameworks affecting digital platforms, artificial intelligence and online audiovisual content; 
  •    Experience working in EU candidate countries, South-Eastern Europe or the Western Balkans; 
  •    Previous experience with the OSCE, Council of Europe, European Union or another international organization.

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.