International Consultant on biosafety and biosecurity in Ukraine (SSA)

Background:
Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of approximately 54 working days within the period September 2021- December 2021, with a possibility of extension. 

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counterterrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairmanship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension. 

Objective of Assignment: 

The OSCE Secretariat has conducted a comprehensive review of biological safety and security in Ukraine. As a result of the analysis, several gaps were identified in Ukraine’s biological safety and security.

The OSCE, within its UNSCR 1540 mandate, supports the Government’s ongoing efforts to further develop biosecurity and biosafety legislative and regulatory frameworks in line with the existing international standards and best practices.

The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) Support Unit, in co-ordination with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCUk) developed four inter-related projects within the OSCE biosafety and biosecurity package of projects for Ukraine: three in support of strengthening biological safety and security (improvement of legislative framework, establishment of the sustainable veterinary surveillance system, and awareness raising for life scientists on biosafety and biosecurity), and a management project under the technical implementation of the OSCE Secretariat.

The European Union has provided funding for the project activities. The OSCE FSC Support Unit requires services of national expert to support the implementation of these projects.

Duration of Assignment:
54 working days between September and December 2021

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The OSCE is looking for qualified candidates to the consultancy position of a national expert in Ukraine to liaise with the local authorities and co-ordinate work of national leading expert(s) for the technical implementation of three projects. The focus of this assignment is to support the management of three inter-related projects within the OSCE biosafety and biosecurity package of projects for Ukraine.

The selected expert will work under the supervision of Project Officer Non-Proliferation from the OSCE FSC Support Unit and in close co-ordination with the National Project Officer within the OSCE PCUk. The expert will closely co-operate with other national and international experts. The expert is expected to assist with:

1. Providing support to project management on planning and execution of the projects activities;
2. Communicating with responsible representatives of the involved governmental institutions in order to ensure their timely involvement and acceptance of the projects results;
3. Participating in organising and scheduling of working meetings with national authorities as required for the implementation of the projects;
4. Co-ordinating and facilitating regular communication between beneficiaries and experts, as required under all three projects;
5. Participating in drafting ToR and selection of national and international subject matter experts;
6. Holding meetings with experts, as might be necessary, in order to co-ordinate and monitor their work progress, and assure quality and timeliness of deliverables;
7. Participating in organizing and conducting national and international workshops, seminars and other project-related events held by the PCUk with national and international experts, as well as beneficiaries and other involved governmental authorities;
8. Regularly inform the project management about the development of project activities, including any possible delays and perceived obstacles, and make recommendations;
9. Performing other tasks that further implementation of the said projects.

Deliverables:

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat
 

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree/training in the field of security and defence issues or similar;
• Progressively responsible experience in an industrial, public sector or NGO dealing with CBRN security issues;
• Proven practical experience in dealing with CBRN issues in Ukraine;
• Good general knowledge of the Ukrainian public management issues, some comparative international experience would be an advantage;
• Good analytical skills and knowledge of Ukrainian biosafety and biosecurity system;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to relate easily and openly with players in this field, self-motivation and gender sensitivity is desirable;
• Good communication skills, good drafting ability to produce notes that are clear, concise and comprehendible to public officials and a wider public audience; Working knowledge of English language (reading, speaking), as well as fluency in Ukrainian/Russian languages;
• Ability to work with office information technology, including word-processing, graphics software, and the Internet;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• 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.

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://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 https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form.

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.