Expert on Gender in Police and/or Border Management (Roster)

Background:

The recruitment is for the ODIHR Experts roster.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR is tasked with assisting OSCE participating States to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; to promote democratic elections; to abide by the rule of law; to promote principles of democracy; to build, strengthen and protect democratic institutions; and to promote tolerance throughout their societies.  

ODIHR’s Human Rights, Gender and Security Programme (HRGS) assists participating States in integrating a human-rights compliant and gender sensitive perspective to security. UNSCR1325 and relevant OSCE commitments as well international human rights instruments provide the framework for this support. Specifically, the HRGS programme regularly delivers capacity building training to security sector institutions on mainstreaming gender throughout their work as well as to policy makers and civil society organizations in implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

In 2020 ODIHR, the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), and UN Women released the new Gender and Security Toolkit, updating the 2008 Gender and Security Sector Reform (SSR) Toolkit. The updated Toolkit includes tools on policing and gender (Tool 2); and border management and gender (Tool 6). These tools bring together the key lessons of the past decade in promoting gender equality in security and justice. The aim of the Toolkit is to share new and emerging good practices, reflect upon how successes in increasing gender equality have been achieved and move forward thinking about integrating a gender perspective in security and justice sector institutions. 

In 2016, the Human Rights Department of ODIHR started a new project titled “Promoting a Human Rights Compliant and Gender Responsive Security Sector” with the objective to support OSCE participating States in strengthening security sector governance and reform that is gender mainstreamed, protects human rights and fundamental freedoms and enables effective responses to security threats and challenges. 

ODIHR seeks to update its roster of experts with relevant expertise and practical experience on gender in security structures, with a special focus in one or both of the areas below:

•    Policing and gender;
•    Border management and gender.

Applicants with in depth specialisation in either one of the two specified fields are  encouraged to apply.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Human Rights, Gender & Security Officer in ODIHR’s Human Rights Department, the selected consultant will be eligible for contracting, within roster procedure, for assignments within this specialisation. The consultancies anticipated include the following assignments:

1.    Contributing to the development and drafting of new tools and knowledge products (incl. guides, handbooks, manuals, factsheets) in areas such as representation of women and gender mainstreaming in security structures, specifically police and border management; ensuring that security structures are human rights-compliant and gender sensitive; prevention of sexual and gender-based violence within security structures and the work of oversight bodies of security structures. This assignment might include the conceptualization of research, incl. the development of research methods and tools, data collection and analysis, and the actual drafting of the tools/products;

2.    Conceptualizing, developing and delivering online, offline or in hybrid format development programmes (incl. trainings, academies, workshops, coaching, mentoring study visits), targeting one or multiple target groups, like police personnel (both women and men), including police unions and associations; border management personnel; oversight bodies of security structures; civil society organizations, and women human rights defenders; 

3.    Contributing to institutional processes in OSCE participating States, by conducting gender assessments/audits, mapping of relevant stakeholders for the areas detailed above, and supporting the development of strategies, action plans, roadmaps, and other policies;

Necessary skills and qualifications:

•    Advanced university degree in law, security studies, police administration and management, border security and management, international relations, political science or other disciplines related to human rights and security sector. 
•    Graduation from a certified police academy, border management college, or a similar training institution will be considered an advantage. 
•    At least 6 years of professional experience in human rights, gender and security, and relevant international human rights law;
•    Demonstrated gender and diversity awareness and sensitivity, and an excellent ability to integrate a gender and diversity perspective into tasks and activities;
•    Experience working directly with or within the security sector, including police and/or border management is highly desirable;
•    Experience working in different cultural contexts across the OSCE region, and knowledge of the different regions of the OSCE;
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of Russian language will be considered an advantage;
•    Proven experience in developing and applying interactive training techniques and conducting capacity building activities for various audiences;
•    Computer literacy with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
•    Ability to work under time pressure and meet tight deadlines;
•    Ability to work flexibly, alone or within a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national, cultural and other backgrounds.

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.