International Expert on Dog Training (SSAs)

Background:

In a digital age, working dogs remain highly relevant to managing the border and its security. Working dogs are instrumental in inspecting suspicious goods quickly and effectively at the border. Considering the proven security relevance of working dogs such as search and detection dogs in border management and security, the Centre’s project on “Strengthening Border Service Capacities in Turkmenistan” emphasizes enhancing the capacity of canine units of Turkmen border guards. In particular, the project activities aim to strengthen the capacity of canine units through the exposure and promotion of internationally recognized dog training tools and methods.

To further consolidate the positive results and ensure sustainability, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat will continue supporting the Canine Centre of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan in developing a Working Dog Training Manual with specific chapters. Once finalized and validated by the end-users, the Centre will conduct a two-week canine training for dog handlers/canine officers and a one-week training course for veterinarians in Turkmenistan.

Objective of Assignment: 

Within the project’s canine component, the Centre seeks to assist the Canine Centre of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan in developing a Working Dog Training Manual by the International Expert on Dog Training in cooperation with national experts of State Border Service of Turkmenistan. Two coordination meetings on developing the Working Dog Training Manual in an online format will be held to discuss the contents of the manual and validate it once completed. To apply the Working Dog Training Manual in practice, the international expert will conduct a two-week canine training for canine officers and a one-week long training course for veterinarians in Turkmenistan. The training courses must be conducted in compliance with science-based, reward-based, least intrusive, minimally aversive, positive reinforcement animal training format. Training methodology and philosophy shall be based on a force-free and dog-centred approach.

It is expected that canine officers and veterinarians of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan will participate and fully engage in both training events. Practical sessions with working dogs will be delivered, using drug imitators.

Duration of Assignment:  20 working days starts in February 2022
 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Centre’s Project Manager and the National Project Officer, the Expert will:

• Develop a comprehensive specialised service dog training manual for the canine unit of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan;
• Discuss the dog training manual with canine officers and veterinarians in an online format and have it validated by the end-user – the State Border Service of Turkmenistan.
• Based on the comprehensive specialised service dog training manual, develop one two-week canine training for canine officers and a one-week training course for veterinarians and specialised service dog breeders who ensure due care and welfare of working dogs;
• The course programme includes the following topics, but not limited to;

• Theory of service dog training;
• Breeding, selection and testing of working dogs;
• Dog senses cultivating;
• Reflexes separation;
• Use of drug imitators to detect drugs;
• Ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of working dogs;

• Prepare the pre-and post–training evaluation forms and conduct pre-and - post-course tests aimed at measuring the progress made;
• Deliver two training courses in indoor and outdoor in Turkmenistan for a period of three weeks. All three-week training events for canine officers/dog handles need to be delivered in in-person format;
• Submit a final training report to the National Project Officer providing a list of actionable recommendations for future programming;
• The duration and the topic of the training course may vary depending on the specific needs of the project beneficiaries.

The Expert will develop a comprehensive specialised service dog training manual from home. The delivery of one two-week canine training for canine officers and a one-week training course for veterinarians requires a trip to Turkmenistan.

Deliverables:

• Develop a comprehensive specialised service dog training manual for the canine unit of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan;
• Discuss the dog training manual with canine officers and veterinarians in an online format resulting in its validation by the end-user – the State Border Service of Turkmenistan.
• Based on the comprehensive specialised service dog training manual, develop one two-week training for canine officers and a one-week training course for veterinarians and specialised service dog breeders who ensure due care about working dogs;
• The course programme includes the following topics, but not limited to;

• Theory of service dog training;
• Breeding, selection and testing of police dogs;
• Dog senses cultivating;
• Reflexes separation;
• Use of drug imitators to detect drugs; and
• Ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of working dogs.

• Prepare and conduct evaluations and tests both the pre-and post–training to measure progress made;
• Deliver two training courses (indoor and outdoor) in Turkmenistan in the course of three weeks. All three-week training events for dog handlers need to be delivered in in-person format;
• Submit a final training report to the National Project Officer providing a list of actionable recommendations for future programming;
• The topic of the training course may vary depending on the specific needs of the project beneficiaries.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Professional border guard, police, customs or military working dog handler of the rank of Sergeant;
• Minimum 10  years of canine training and/or project management experience in the field of canine detection of drugs, SALW, ammunition and explosives, or currency notes;
• Candidates must have recent Working Dog Training experience and hold instructor certifications either in general purpose and / or specialist search disciplines (psychoactive substances, firearms, cash, drugs, forensic evidence, explosive modules).
• Skilled at training dogs of different ages, breeds and sizes.
• Experience in providing education/training and/or advisory services on ensuring appropriate veterinary and nutritional care for special and search dogs in the Canine Centres of the Border Agencies;
• Ability to effectively teach group dog training classes in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments and advise high-level counterparts;
• Experience in dealing with international organizations and foreign law enforcement agencies is desirable;
• Membership with International Associations of Dog Handlers and an internationally recognized certificate/diploma on training of working dogs are the requirement;
• Relevant experience gained in the Republics of the former Soviet Union would be an asset;
• Professional fluency in oral and written Russian and/or English. Knowledge of Turkmen is an asset;
• Ability and willingness to work as a team member with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views;
• Excellent physical condition
• Experience in developing written training materials on the effective training of working dogs will be 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.

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