International Consultant - Expert/Trainer on Skills-Development and Professional Empowerment

Background:

Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of approximately 60 working days.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism 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 Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. The Gender Issues Programme of the OSG supports the efforts of the OSCE Secretary General to promote a continuous and sustainable gender mainstreaming process across the Organization and the full implementation of the 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, as well as other gender-related commitments undertaken by the OSCE participating States. It assists and advises the OSCE structures in the implementation of the Action Plan by providing technical assistance for the mainstreaming of gender in all activities, policies, programmes and projects.

The OSCE Women’s Peace Leadership Programme aims to strengthen the ability of women to meaningfully engage and influence peace processes at all levels. 

The programme is part of the Gender Issues Programme’s (GIP) project ‘WIN – Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Comprehensive Security’ and has the following objectives:

• Increased networking opportunities for women peacebuilders and women mediators to engage and connect with decision-makers and influential actors that are involved in peace processes
• Strengthened capacity and leadership of women peacebuilders and mediators to influence formal and informal peace processes
• Increased visibility of women mediators and peacebuilders’ efforts and competencies in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and mediation
• Meaningful spaces for women mediators and peacebuilders working at the different tracks to connect and share experiences, best practices and form organic alliances.

1.    Structure of the programme
The GIP will serve as the secretariat for this 12 month pilot programme, and will design, implement and follow-up on activities in close cooperation with CPC’s WPS Adviser, the Mediation Support Team (MST) and the regional desks. The programme will target a maximum of 20 participants in the first round, which will be implemented from summer 2022 until June 2023 (tentative timeline). 

The modules and activities will include:
•    Peer-to-to peer exchanges on relevant topics
•    Exchanges with decision-makers and other influential actors working in relevant processes
•    Training modules on specific topics (potential topics are outlined below)
•    Networking events for the participants as well as for broader audiences
•    Mentoring and coaching
•    Sharing and exchanging strategies and tools to counter resistance to women’s participation and leadership in peace processes

Possible themes may include topics such as gender-sensitive conflict analysis and peace process design; conflict resolution; communication, negotiation and mediation skills; inclusion of women and effective peace processes; geopolitical challenges in the OSCE area, global peacebuilding challenges and SDGs; the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, etc.  

Possible mentoring modules may include:
•    Coaching of mentors- how to become a better mentor?
•    Coaching of mentees- how to advance my career?
•    Leadership training tailored for mentors and mentees
•    Strategic Networking

2.    Target Group 

• Women who are active in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and conflict prevention efforts at all three tracks in the OSCE area, including young women.
•  Women from all of the different regions in the OSCE area, prioritizing women from the regions that have ongoing conflicts.
• Slots will also be reserved for Afghan women.

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

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the WIN Project Manager and Gender Advisers, the Consultant will be tasked with the following:

1)    Preparing an outline for the 1-year pilot programme including mentorship, leadership sessions and career development that mirrors the needs of the participants.
2)    Designing the modules on the mentorship component of the Programme according to the pre-identified needs of the participants.
3)    Developing material and moderate 6 sessions on leadership, career development and support of mentors and mentees.
4)    Carrying out and preparing maximum 12 online peer- to peer- exchanges and sessions with an appropriate, interactive methodology using suitable online tools.
5)    Providing support to follow-up inquiries from participants in the leadership/mentorship sessions as required. 
6)    Supporting the project team in other tasks relevant to the training programme (identification of guest speakers, coordination with other OSCE executive structures, etc.).
 

Deliverables:

1)    Preparation and launch (15 working days)
-    Needs assessment: Designing and conducting one- on -one interviews with the participants of the programme
-    Outline for the mentorship concept, leadership sessions and career development: this includes proposing a mentoring approach and conceptualizing the best matches based on the needs assessment
-    Prepare, propose and design the modules that would best benefit mentors and mentees around career development, leadership and gather information on other topics identified by the participants

2)    Implementation of pogramme (40 working days)
-    Develop materials for the sessions
-    Prepare and moderate 6 sessions on leadership, career development

3)    Finalize programme and prepare report (5 working days)
-    Deliver report on the activities and outcomes of the programme

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in a discipline relevant to one or more of the following topics: international relations, politics, law, security studies; international human rights, human resources management and/or related field;  
• A minimum of seven (7) years of demonstrated relevant professional experience in fostering career and skill development and professional empowerment at national and/or international level;
•  Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing mentorship programmes targeting women in the field of peacebuilding, human rights, security and related sectors;
• Knowledge of effective approaches to skills development and advancing professional empowerment of professionals working in the field of international cooperation, human rights, rule of law, peace and security, or related areas;
• Experience in conducting training sessions for audiences with a diverse, multi-lingual background on career and skills development, including by using innovative approaches, and by using virtual technology as appropriate; 
• Previous experience of working with international organisations/the OSCE in the field of career development and/or human resources is considered a substantial asset;
• Excellent knowledge of English including excellent communication and drafting skills; knowledge of another OSCE language would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity. 
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; professional fluency in Russian would be an asset;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

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.