International Consultant, Strengthening Inclusive and Accountable Democratic Institutions

Background:

The OSCE/ODIHR Rule of Law Unit (RoL) of the Democratization Department is tasked with providing expertise, delivering technical assistance and developing policies and good practice on the independence and accountability of the judiciary, access to justice, criminal justice, fair trial rights and trial monitoring, functional independence of prosecutors, gender and diversity in the judiciary, and administrative justice in the OSCE region.

In 2019, the ODIHR Democratization Department embarked on a new project titled “Strengthening Inclusive and Accountable Democratic Institutions in the OSCE Region”. Under the project, ODIHR committed to organize a Criminal Justice Forum in Central Asia.  ODIHR intends to confirm the host country for the Forum and in case Covid related travel restrictions have been lifted, to organize an in-person Criminal Justice Forum in the autumn of 2021. In addition, as part of an amendment to the above project “Strengthening Inclusive and Accountable Democratic Institutions in the OSCE Region”, ODIHR will conduct a needs assessment for the development of a remote e-course (internet based training) on trial monitoring methodology and standards, building on the existing ODIHR tools. Subject to a positive result of the needs assessment, ODIHR will initiate the development of the online trial monitoring training course. 
ODIHR will also continue to monitor the latest rule of law and fair trial developments in the OSCE region.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Rule of Law Unit, the consultant will:

(i)    Task 1 – Plan and undertake preliminary preparations for the organization of the Criminal Justice Forum in Central Asia (CJF CA). While implementing this task, the consultant will consult the OSCE Field Operations (FOs) in Central Asia (CA) and establish dialogue with the authorities of host country with a view to identify the timing to hold the Forum. The consultant will follow the developments and travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic and assess the feasibility to conduct the Forum in the autumn of 2021 or suggest another appropriate timing. The recommendations provided to ODHR under this task should consider the gender and diversity aspects and use gender neutral terminology as relevant. (Approximately 15 working days)

• This task will result in Deliverable 1: written correspondence and discussions with OSCE FOs, experts, and authorities of host country; revised work plan for the organization of the CJF CA; and recommendations on the timing to organise the CJF CA to be submitted to ODIHR by 30 July 2021. Any ODIHR questions should be addressed within 2 working days. 

(ii)    Task 2 – Subject to confirmation by the OSCE FOs and state authorities from CA, the consultant will organize and participate in the CJF CA. The Forum will presumably take place in November – December 2021. (Approximately 50 working days)

• This task will result in the following Deliverable 2: revision of budget of the CJF CA, correspondence and meetings with partners and beneficiaries, development of ToRs and contribution to the recruitment of a junior consultant to support the organization of the Forum, coordination of work of junior consultant and ODIHR project assistant, coordination meetings on budget and logistics with ODIHR Procurement Unit and project partners, development of agenda of the CJF CA and  ToRs of experts, coordination of work of experts and interaction with beneficiaries and participants during the CJF CA, contribution to the development of evaluation report and coordination of work of a consultant who will evaluate the Forum, contribution to the development of a final report of the CJF CA. This deliverable should be provided in the timeframe agreed upon with ODIHR once dates of the CJF CA are confirmed. Any ODIHR questions should be addressed within 2 working days.

(iii)    Task 3 – Subject to a positive conclusion of a needs assessment report on the development of an online trial monitoring training tool of ODIHR, undertake further actions to develop the online trial monitoring training. (Approximately 35 working days)

• This task will result in Deliverable 3: participate in and contribute to an inter-departmental meeting in ODIHR to plan the procurement of services for the development of software to support the trial monitoring online training; inputs to the documentation necessary for the procurement of services for the development of software to support the trial monitoring online training; advice to ODIHR on the identification of  consultant to develop the content of the trial monitoring training and development of tasks, coordination of work and monitoring of progress of consultants who will develop the content and software of the online trial monitoring training. This deliverable should be provided in the timeframe agreed upon with ODIHR once the needs assessment is completed. Any ODIHR questions should be addressed within 2 working days.

(iv)    Task 4 – Follow rule of law developments and provide advice on trial monitoring work of ODIHR. The consultant will follow the rule of law and fair trial developments in selected country/s and will advise ODIHR on adequate reactions as well as on the development of an ODIHR led monitoring of trials (approximately 15 working days)

• This task will result in Deliverable 4: weekly briefings of approximately one page in a Word document, using gender neutral language and with advice on ODIHR reactions in response to rule of law and fair trial developments (e.g. letter, statement etc.); advice on the possible development of an ODIHR led monitoring of trials, to be provided in a format (possibly report) agreed with ODIHR management.  Any ODIHR questions should be addressed within 2 working days.

The Consultant will be based in Warsaw, will be working to the extent possible from ODIHR premises and will use the necessary ODIHR equipment for the completion of these tasks. ODIHR will ensure the access to relevant ODIHR documents. 

Necessary Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• Advanced university degree in Law;
• At least 4 years of relevant work experience with rule of law matters in the OSCE region such as independence of the judiciary, criminal justice, fair trial rights and other matters;
• Familiarity with international standards relevant to rule of law and human rights, including key international commitments on gender equality and women’s rights relevant within criminal justice systems;
• Proven record in research and analysis and drafting of briefing papers, concepts, terms of reference; 
• Ability to apply gender analysis and to identify and address issues relevant to gender to this assignment;
• Excellent English language skills, including very good and concise writing skills; 
• Good knowledge of Russian;  
• Computer literacy; 
• Organizational and communication skills;
• Flexibility, ability to work under minimal supervision and deliver against tight deadlines.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will depend on the selected consultant’s qualifications and experience and be in accordance with OSCE established rates. 

How to Apply:
 

Ifyou wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies.
If you are not a national of a participating State, you must apply by submitting an offline application form which can be found under http://www.osce.org/employment/108714.
 

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.