Local Consultant – Association of Kosovo Municipalities Development Strategy Drafting_(SSA)

Background:

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is committed to supporting local institutions in advancing local governance through targeted strategic interventions aimed at consolidation of long-term policy framework. 
This specific activity aims at supporting the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) to designing and drafting its Development Strategy for 2027 - 2029, that will serve to promoting good governance principles, and to unite the strengths of municipalities and collectively act in the interest of both the municipal governments and their residents. 
The Development Strategy of the AKM 2027 – 2029 will be based on the findings and recommendations of the assessment of the current work and annually reported achievements completed during the last four years. The new strategy will reflect evolving priorities for the local governance, co-operation between the two levels of the government and objectives to strengthening of municipalities performance in line with the international practices and standards. 
To support this process, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo will engage a qualified local expert, who will provide comprehensive description on the legal framework and local governance developments, status of local governance and the main challenges, strategic objectives of the AKM, as well as with the identification of the main relevant interlocutors, which would contribute towards an inclusive process. The expert will coordinate the efforts bringing together all relevant actors in the field of local governance and provide good practices and in-depth knowledge of institutional and local governance developments that will serve as guidelines for the implementation of AKM’s strategic objectives.  
The aim of this assignment is to provide expert support to the AKM in drafting the Development Strategy for 2027 – 2029 through a participatory, evidence-based, and results-oriented process. The Strategy will serve as an orientation framework to the AKM for local governance development over the course of the next three years through advocacy towards consolidation of legal and policy infrastructure as well as enhancing local democracy and transparency, municipal performance, and service delivery to the residents. It will provide a clear, measurable, and actionable framework for improvement of local governance. 
The strategy will emphasize inclusion of under-represented groups in local level decision-making processes and public life in general. It will incorporate cross-cutting priorities such as gender equality, and non-majority community inclusion, aligning with the Government’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Charter on Local Self-Government.
All outputs provided, including the final draft of the Development Strategy of AKM for 2027 – 2029, shall be the property of the AKM and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The consultant shall treat all information obtained during the assignment as confidential and shall not use or share it without prior written consent.

Objective of Assignment: 

Provide support to the AKM in development its 2027 – 2029 Development Strategy through a participatory, evidence-based, and results-oriented process.  

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant will be hired for 20  working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Concept Note and Workplan 
   In co-ordination with AKM Executive Director, the local expert will:  
   Conduct a preliminary desk review and provide a contextual local governance analysis, municipal performance related developments, including institutional and legal framework updates, that would be included in the strategic planning process.
   Draft a Concept Note with an accompanied Work Plan, outlining the methodology, key milestones, and the proposed structure of the 2027 – 2029, Development Strategy of AKM and submit them for review and approval to the OSCE Activity manager and the AKM Executive Director. 
2. Stakeholder Consultation Process and Summary Report 
   Co-ordinate with the AKM the process of identifying and engaging key internal and external interlocutors.
   Lead the consultation process with representatives of civil society organizations, representatives of international organizations and municipal leadership.
   Draft the stakeholder consultations report, in coordination with the AKM Executive Director, which will be further integrated into the Consultation Summary Report.
3. Final Draft of the Development Strategy 2027–2029
   Draft and finalize the 2027 – 2029 AKM Development Strategy, carefully considering: (i) in-depth analysis of the local governance structures, legal and political context in Kosovo; (ii) institutional challenges faced by both the AKM and the municipalities; (iii) the Vision, Mission, Core Values, Strategic Objectives, Expected Results, and Priority Development Areas of the AKM.
   Draft an Action Plan, including monitoring and evaluation framework which would incorporate the legal, political, and institutional, developments in regards to municipal governance.
4. Validation Workshop
   Design and facilitate a participatory validation workshop on the draft Development Strategy with the relevant local governance stakeholders and collect structured feedback.
   Prepare a brief summary report outlining the feedback received, as well as incorporate necessary adjustments, if requested.
5. Final version of the Development Strategy 
   The final version of the Development Strategy and its Action Plan in line with AKM objectives aligned with its implementation capacity.
6. Regular communication and co-ordination 
   Maintain regular communication and co-ordination with the OSCE and the AKM.

Deliverables:

• Concept Note and Workplan with a detailed structural outline of the Development Strategy, including a timeline for stakeholders’ engagement, are submitted within 10 working days from the date of contract’s signature.
• Stakeholder mapping of key AKM interlocutors, external actors, civil society, and international organizations is developed within 15 working days from the date of contract’s signature. 
• Consultation processes (interviews, roundtables, focus groups) are organized within 30 working days from the date of contract’s signature. 
• Consultation Summary Report is drafted and submitted to the OSCE Activity Manager and the AKM Executive Director for review, and all comments submitted by the OSCE and AKM are addressed within 35 working days of the contract’s signature. 
• Final draft of the Development Strategy of AKM 2027-2029 and its Action Plan incorporating all comments received from OSCE and AKM is submitted within 40 working days of contract’s signature.
• Conduct a participatory validation workshop on the draft of the Development Strategy with AKM and other relevant stakeholders within 45 working days from the date of contract’s signature.
• Brief summary report on feedback received, including incorporation of adjustments, if requested, is submitted within 50 working days from the date of contract’s signature.
• Final version of the Development Strategy to the OSCE Activity Manager and the AKM for review and approval, incorporating the addressed comments submitted by OSCE and AKM, is submitted within 60 working days from the date of the contract signature. 
• Regular status briefs and updates are provided at all stages throughout the process, upon request of the OSCE/ activity manager.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in public administration, political science, public policy, strategic management, or a related field;
• Minimum five years of relevant experience in public administration, think tanks, strategic planning, preferably with government and local government institutions;
• Demonstrated knowledge of local governance legal framework, institutional and local government reforms, and governance related developments in Kosovo;
• Strong facilitation and drafting skills, with experience in leading participatory workshops;
• Proven experience in supporting strategic planning or policy development processes in Kosovo, including stakeholder coordination, facilitation of consultations, and provision of contextual inputs to government strategies, policies, or institutional development plans;
• Ability to provide substantive Kosovo-specific context analysis, ensuring that strategic plans/processes are realistic, implementable, and aligned with institutional needs and capacities;
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken); knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian language is required;
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Proven drafting skills. 

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.

In order to apply for this position, you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under OSCE Careers- Jobs. 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 email 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.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.