Local expert for psychological empowerment and resilience training for women in correctional services _(SSA)

Background:

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo, through the Department for Security and Public Safety (DSPS) and its Special Advisory Unit (SAU), supports public safety institutions in strengthening their professional capacities, institutional resilience, gender-responsive approaches, and staff wellbeing in line with OSCE commitments, the Gender Action Plan, and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.

Correctional personnel operate in demanding and high-pressure environments that may expose staff to elevated levels of stress, emotional fatigue, secondary trauma, and professional burnout. Women working in correctional institutions often face additional challenges related to balancing professional responsibilities, workplace dynamics, and personal well-being. If left unaddressed, prolonged exposure to stress can negatively affect staff wellbeing, professional performance, workplace relations, and institutional effectiveness.

Recognising the importance of psychological resilience and staff well-being as key components of effective and sustainable correctional services, the Mission will organize a two-day psychological empowerment session for members of the Association of Women in the Kosovo Correctional Service (AWKCS). The activity aims to strengthen participants’ emotional resilience, enhance their ability to manage work-related stress, promote healthy coping mechanisms, and encourage peer support and positive workplace practices, and does not constitute psychological treatment, counselling, psychotherapy, or clinical assessment. Given the sensitive nature of the topic, at the outset of the session, participants shall be informed that no identifiable personal information or details of individual experiences shall be recorded, collected, or included in activity reports. Any findings, observations, recommendations, or lessons learned shall be reported only in aggregated and anonymised form.

Through interactive and practice-oriented sessions, participants will gain practical tools to support their psychological well-being and professional effectiveness while contributing to safer, healthier, and more resilient correctional institutions. While the approved project proposal initially envisaged a two-day psychological empowerment session, the activity will be delivered as an intensive one-day programme. As the activity is designed to strengthen participants’ awareness of stress-related challenges and workplace well-being practices, the revised format is considered sufficient to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

This assignment contributes to Project Result 1 by strengthening the knowledge, resilience, and well-being of women working in correctional services, thereby contributing to more resilient, professional, and gender-responsive public safety institutions.

Objective of Assignment: 

The overall objective of this assignment is to:

• Design and deliver a one-day psychological empowerment and resilience-building programme for women working in correctional services;
• Strengthen participants’ ability to recognise and manage workplace stress and emotional exhaustion;
• Enhance individual resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being;
• Promote healthy coping strategies and positive workplace practices;
• Encourage peer support, professional confidence, and sustainable wellbeing approaches within correctional institutions.
• Ensure that at least 80 per cent of participants report increased knowledge of stress-management techniques and coping strategies applicable to their professional context, as measured through a comparison of pre- and post-session self-assessment results.
   

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant will be hired for 3 working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
 

1. Develop training methodology in consultation with the DSPS/SAU activity manager. 
2. Preparation of training materials
3. Delivery of a one-day training to 15 participants from AWKCS
4. Ethical considerations (mandatory within delivery)
5. Preparation and submission of final report

Deliverables:

By 3 November 2026, develop a one-day training methodology that:

• Reflects evidence-based approaches to psychological wellbeing, resilience, and stress management;
• Addresses challenges commonly experienced by women working in correctional environments;
• Integrates gender-responsive and wellbeing-focused approaches;
• Includes practical exercises, self-reflection tools, and interactive learning methods;
• Is developed in consultation with the Activity Manager and AWKCS to ensure relevance and alignment with participants’ needs.
   

By 3 November 2026, the expert shall prepare and submit to the Mission for review and approval the following deliverables in English:

• Detailed one-day training agenda;
• Pre- and post-training assessment questionnaires;
• Training agenda, presentations and supporting materials covering:
• Understanding workplace stress and burnout;
• Emotional resilience and self-awareness;
• Stress management and coping techniques;
• Healthy workplace practices and work-life balance;
• Psychological well-being and professional performance;
• Peer support and positive communication;
• Practical exercises for emotional regulation and resilience;
• Scenario-based exercises and facilitated discussions.
  All materials should be practical, context-specific, and tailored to correctional settings.
  Training materials, including presentations, handouts, exercises, and other learning resources, shall be delivered in the language(s) understood by the participants (Albanian and Serbian) to ensure effective and inclusive participation. 
  The translation requirements during the training will be covered by the Mission.
   

During the implementation period, deliver a one-day interactive training for approximately 15 members of AWKCS.
The training shall cover:

• Understanding sources and impacts of occupational stress;
• Recognising signs of emotional exhaustion and burnout;
• Building emotional resilience and psychological well-being;
• Practical stress-reduction and self-care techniques;
• Strengthening professional confidence and wellbeing;
• Developing supportive workplace relationships and peer networks;Practical tools for maintaining long-term wellbeing in correctional environments.
  Apply interactive methodologies, including:
• Guided exercises and self-assessment tools;
• Facilitated group discussions;
• Reflection exercises;
• Scenario-based discussions;
• Experience-sharing sessions;
• Practical demonstrations of stress-management techniques.
  Ensure active participant engagement and practical application of knowledge throughout the training.
  All deliverables shall be submitted in English. 
   

In carrying out the assignment, the local expert shall:

• Ensure compliance with OSCE commitments on human rights, gender equality, and non-discrimination;
• Apply gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate approaches;
• Create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment;
• Ensure confidentiality of discussions and participant contributions;
• Use evidence-based, objective, and non-discriminatory training materials;
• Promote professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.
   

By 5 November 2026, the expert shall prepare and submit a final report in English, including:

• Overview of training implementation;
• Summary of topics covered and methodology used;
• Analysis of participant engagement and learning outcomes based on pre- and post-training assessments;
• Assessment of the extent to which the training objective was achieved, including evidence that at least 80 per cent of participants demonstrated improved knowledge, as measured through comparison of pre- and post training assessment results;
• Key observations, lessons learned, and challenges encountered;
• Recommendations for future capacity-building activities;
• Suggestions for strengthening institutional awareness of stress-related challenges and workplace well-being practices.

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in psychology, counselling, mental health, social work, behavioural sciences, public health, education, or a related field;
• Minimum five years of professional experience in psychology, counselling, mental health, psychosocial support, stress management, resilience-building, or related fields;
• Demonstrated experience in delivering training, coaching, facilitation, or capacity-building activities related to wellbeing, resilience, stress management, burnout prevention, or personal development;
• Demonstrated experience applying trauma-informed approaches and psychological support methodologies in professional or institutional settings;
• Experience working with public institutions, security sector personnel, first responders, correctional staff, or other high-stress professional groups is considered a strong asset;
• Demonstrated experience addressing occupational wellbeing, emotional resilience, and burnout prevention among professionals working in high-risk, high-stress, or security-related environments;
• Experience designing and facilitating interactive, participant-centred learning programmes;
• Experience working with international organizations, including OSCE, EU, UN, or similar institutions, is considered an asset.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of psychological well-being, resilience, stress management, burnout prevention, and trauma-informed approaches;
• Understanding of occupational stressors affecting correctional personnel, law enforcement officers, first responders, and other public safety professionals;
• Expertise in adult learning methodologies, facilitation techniques, and experiential learning approaches;
• Ability to create safe, supportive, and confidential learning environments;
• Excellent communication, facilitation, coaching, and interpersonal skills;
• Strong analytical and reporting skills;
• Fluency in English and in either Albanian or Serbian is required; knowledge of all three languages is considered an asset

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.