Local Consultant - Local Self-Government 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 Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) to draft the new Strategy on Local Self-Government (LSGS) for the next five years, while promoting good governance principles, inter-municipal co-operation, including in areas affecting non-majority communities, as a way to improve governance performance and service delivery, thereby fostering collaboration between communities and enhancing social cohesion. 
The new LSGS 2027 – 2031 will be developed and finalized based on the findings and recommendations of the current strategy that were completed this year and the initial strategic objectives drafted by the MLGA Working Group for Development of the Strategy (WG). The new strategy will reflect evolving priorities for the local governance, enhanced cooperation between the two levels of the government and strengthen institutional functions of MLGA and municipalities in line with the international standards. 
To support this process, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo will engage a qualified local expert, who will work in co-operation with an international expert. The local expert will contribute with detailed inputs on the legal framework developments, local context, status of local governance and the main challenges, as well as with the identification of the main relevant interlocutors, which would contribute towards an inclusive process. 
The two experts will co-ordinate their efforts and complement each other’s work, bringing together the local context and the international good practices as well as in-depth knowledge of institutional, government and, especially, local governance development and reforms. 
The aim of this assignment is to provide expert support to the MLGA in developing the LSGS 2027 – 2031 through a participatory, evidence-based, and results-oriented process. The LSGS will serve as an orientation framework for local governance development over the next five years, through consolidation of legal infrastructure, enhancing local democracy and transparency, advancing digitalization and service delivery. It will provide a clear, measurable, and actionable framework for improvement of local governance. 
The LSGS 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, youth empowerment, 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 LSGS 2027–2031, shall be the property of the MLGA 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 expert support to the MLGA in developing the Strategy on Local Self-Government 2027 - 2031 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. Conduct a desk analysis on local governance and institutional context in Kosovo 
   In coordination with the international expert and Head of the WG, provide a contextual local governance analysis, including institutional and legal framework updates, and municipal performance related developments that would be included in the strategic planning process.
   Contribute to the development and consolidation of the concept note and workplan. 
   Input submitted for review and approval to the OSCE Activity manager and MLGA. 
2. Stakeholder Consultation Process and Summary Report 
   Coordinate with the MLGA to identify and engage key internal and external interlocutors.
   Lead the identification of external interlocutors such as representatives of civil society and representatives of international organizations in addition to the MLGA WG and municipal leadership.
   Support the international expert in organizing and conducting consultations (interviews, roundtables, focus groups).
   Draft selected sections of the stakeholder consultations, in coordination with the international expert, which will be further integrated into the Consultation Summary Report.
3. Advanced Draft of the LSGS 2027–2031
   Co-author selected sections of the LSGS 2027 – 2031, especially those requiring in-depth understanding of local governance structures, political context, and institutional challenges.
   Provide inputs to the formulation of the Vision, Mission, Core Values, Strategic Objectives, Expected Results, and Priority Development Areas, implementation plans and monitoring and evaluation, reflecting on local governance, political, institutional, policy and legislative developments.
   Ensure the strategic framework reflects local governance pertaining legislation and other complement other related strategic documents.
   Input submitted for review and approval to the OSCE/ Activity manager and MLGA Head of WG.  
4. Validation Workshop
   Provide support in the design and facilitate a participatory validation workshop with the relevant local governance stakeholders.
   Assist the International expert in organising the presentation of the draft LSGS and collect structured feedback.
   Provide inputs during the process of preparing the brief summary report outlining the feedback received, as well as incorporate necessary adjustments, if requested.
5. Final SLSG Contribution
   Provide input to the final version of the LSGS to ensure alignment with government approval procedures, terminology, and implementation capacity.
6. Regular communication and co-ordination 
   Maintain regular communication and coordination with the OSCE, the international expert engaged, and the MLGA.

Deliverables:

• Desk research containing contextual local governance analysis is submitted within the agreed deadline, including institutional and legal framework updates, and municipal performance related developments, prepared in close co-ordination with the international expert, to inform the strategic planning process.
• Contributions to the concept note and workplan providing advisory input on the local governance context, identification of relevant stakeholders, and sequencing of activities.
• All deliverables are submitted to the OSCE Activity Manager, the international expert and MLGA Head of the WG within 10 working days from the date of contract signature.
• A stakeholder mapping of key MLGA interlocutors is developed, with particular emphasis on external stakeholders, including civil society and international organizations.
• Support to the international expert in organizing and conducting consultations (interviews, roundtables, focus groups) is provided.
• Draft inputs for selected sections of the Consultation Summary Report are submitted.
• All outputs are submitted to the OSCE Activity Manager, the international expert and MLGA are submitted within 35 working days from the date of contract signature.
• The requested inputs, especially those requiring in-depth knowledge of governance structures, political context, and institutional challenges are submitted. 
• Inputs to the formulation of Vision, Mission, Core Values, Strategic Objectives, Expected Results, and Priority Development Areas, implementation plans and monitoring and evaluation are submitted.
• Detailed review ensuring that the strategic framework reflects local governance pertaining legislation and complementary to other related strategic documents is conducted within the agreed deadline and submitted to the OSCE Activity Manager and the MLGA.
• Submission of all drafted sections and inputs to the OSCE Activity Manager and the MLGA for review and approval. 
• All deliverables to be submitted within 45 working days from the date of contract signature.
• Provided support in the design and facilitation of a participatory validation workshop with MLGA and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assistance to the international expert in presenting the first draft of the LSGS and collecting structured feedback is provided.
• Provided inputs to the brief summary report on feedback received, including incorporation of adjustments as requested.
• Submission of workshop-related outputs to the OSCE Activity Manager and the MLGA for review.
• All deliverables to be completed within 50 working days from the date of contract signature.
• Inputs to the final version of the LSGS to ensure alignment with government approval procedures, terminology, and implementation capacity are submitted to the OSCE Activity Manager and the MLGA for final review and approval within 75 working days from the date of 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, international development, or a related field.
• Minimum three 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 national 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.