International Consultant to Conduct a Gender Analysis of Corruption and Good Governance in Tajikistan (SSAs)

Background:

The OSCE within its second dimension on environmental and economic issues assists the governments of participating States in strengthening their national anti-corruption practices, advising on improving the relevant institutional framework and building up national capacities. The OSCE participating States have recognised that “corruption represents one of the major impediments to the prosperity and sustainable development of the participating States that undermines their stability and security and threatens the OSCE’s shared values” (see Ministerial Council Decision No. 11/04). In line with the OSCE documents, specifically Ministerial Council Decision No. 6/20 and Ministerial Council Declaration No. 3/18, the role of women and youth is of vital importance for achieving results in combating corruption. On the basis of its mandate, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) supports all efforts aimed at decreasing the risks emanating from corruption and further strengthening capacities to effectively combat corruption at all levels.
No gender analysis of corruption and good governance in Tajikistan has been conducted to date. No dedicated gender analysis specifically examining the intersection of corruption and governance in Tajikistan has been conducted to date. Major policy documents – including the State Anti-Corruption Strategy 2021–2030 and the Law on Combating Corruption – lack gender mainstreaming. The World Bank’s 2021 Country Gender Assessment identified five structural obstacles to women's participation in decision-making in Tajikistan: the absence of effective mechanisms; weak implementation of gender guarantees in sectoral legislation; the absence of continuous monitoring and limited use of gender indicators; limited access to education and training for women; and entrenched gender stereotypes compounded by the absence of a communication strategy. These findings, which cut across the institutional, civil society, and compliance domains targeted by this project, underline the need for a sector-specific analysis. The forthcoming World Bank gender legal and institutional gaps assessment, based on the WBL 2026 framework, will be among the reference materials informing the analysis. The availability of gender-disaggregated data on corruption remains very limited, constraining the design of targeted, evidence-based responses.
This activity will commission a dedicated gender analysis to examine how corruption and governance challenges affect women and men differently in Tajikistan. The scope of the analysis will include gendered patterns of corruption in citizen-state encounters and in private-sector interactions with public institutions (including, where evidence permits, the engagement of women-led businesses in public procurement processes).

Objective of Assignment: 

The objective of the assignment is to conduct a gender analysis to identify and examine gendered patterns of corruption in citizen-state encounters and in private-sector interactions with public institutions (including, where evidence permits, the engagement of women-led businesses in public procurement processes) and develop recommendations for gender-transformative actions.

Duration of Assignment:

15 days between November and December

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Economic and Environmental Department, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Inception phase

• Conduct initial consultations with the relevant POiD staff, local consultant and key stakeholders, if needed, to confirm expectations, clarify the scope and agree on practical arrangements.
• Review relevant literature, policies, laws, studies, and program documents. 
• Develop an inception report including methodology, workplan, data collection tools, data and stakeholder mapping.

Methodology
The consultant is expected to propose a robust and participatory methodology, including:

• Gender-sensitive and intersectional analytical approaches; 
• Ethical and safeguarding considerations; 
• Confidentiality and informed consent procedures;
• Risk mitigation measures, especially when discussing sensitive topics such as sextortion.

The methodology should align with international good practices in gender analysis and anti-corruption research.

2. Data collection and stakeholder consultations

Data collection will take place through a combination of remote and in-country methods. The Consultant will:

• Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research using appropriate methods, including: Key informant interviews (KIIs), Focus group discussions (FGDs), Surveys (if applicable), Case studies, Institutional assessments.
• Consult (online and/or in person) with relevant stakeholders, including: government institutions, civil society organizations, women’s rights organizations, development partners.

3. Analysis and drafting phase

Following the completion of data collection, in collaboration with local consultant, will analyse the qualitative and quantitative evidence in relation to gendered patterns of corruption in citizen-state encounters and in private-sector interactions with public institutions.
Tasks include:

• Analyze: 
  • Gender-specific corruption risks and vulnerabilities 
  • Access to services and justice 
  • Informal payment systems 
  • Sextortion and abuse of authority 
  • Reporting and complaint mechanisms 
  • Representation of women in oversight and decision-making bodies 
  • Intersectional dimensions affecting vulnerable populations
• Develop a structured analytical report reflecting national context and good international practice; 
• Develop evidence-based findings, conclusions and actionable recommendations; 
• Submit a preliminary draft of the report for review and comments to the OSCE POiD team.

4. Finalisation of the assessment and development of entry points

• Address and incorporate comments received from OSCE POiD and other relevant stakeholders;
• Formulate clear and proportionate recommendations to integrate gender into anti-corruption programming and reform;
• Provide suggestions for relevant regulatory and legislative improvements;
• Prepare and submit the final report;
• Deliver presentation (virtual or in-person) of the main findings and relevant stakeholders.

5. Final technical report

• Prepare a brief technical report summarizing the assignment, activities conducted, key findings, challenges encountered and recommendations for the next phase;
• Provide a list of consulted stakeholders and relevant materials.

Deliverables:

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: https://dushanbe.osce.org/

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in public administration, political science, international development, law, economics, gender studies, social sciences or a related field.
• At least 6 years of practical experience in gender equality and governance, including demonstrated experience conducting gender analyses or gender assessments related to public administration, anti-corruption, governance reforms, policy development and related field.
• Experience integrating gender-responsive approaches into governance, anti-corruption, rule of law, AML/CFT/CPF, or public sector reform.
• Proven expertise applying gender analysis frameworks, evidence-based analytical methods, including mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches, data collection, and triangulation.
• Experience applying gender and/or human rights-responsive approaches in evaluations, assessments, or programme reviews. 
• Experience with international organisations (IMF, World Bank, UN, EAG, OSCE, etc.) is an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of gender policies and international frameworks. 
• Experience working in sensitive political environments, transition contexts, humanitarian settings, or risk-governance environments; experience in Central Asia is a strong asset. 
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills, with experience producing high-quality analytical, evaluative or assessment reports aligned with international or organisational standards.
• Full proficiency in Russian language, knowledge of English is an asset.
• Strong intercultural communication, coordination, and facilitation abilities, including experience working with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain independence, impartiality and confidentiality, and to exercise sound professional judgment.

• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

• Experience working with MS office suite and Windows applications; familiarity with online collaboration tools is 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.

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.