International Consultant on Disability Inclusion in Political Life (Roster)

Background:

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. 

The OSCE participating States have recognized that the promotion of disability inclusion is intrinsic to the concept of comprehensive security. Equal rights and opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities, are fundamental to achieving and sustaining comprehensive security. Political participation of persons with disabilities is enshrined in the Moscow 1991 OSCE Meeting Document, where participating States committed “to take steps to ensure the equal opportunity of such persons to participate fully in the life of their society” and to “promote the appropriate participation of such persons in decision-making in fields concerning them.” The importance of public participation of persons with disabilities is also emphasized in the 2008 Helsinki Document, which recognizes that “human rights are best respected in democratic societies, where decisions are taken with maximum transparency and broad participation.” The foundations for OSCE commitments also rest on key international documents, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006.

Duration of Assignment:
Recruitment if for the roster. Duration of the assignment will depend on specific deliverables. 

Location:

The incumbent will work in person, hybrid or remotely, dependent on actual needs. Travel to ODIHR’s premises or event locations will be covered by ODIHR in line with ODIHR’s policies.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Chief of Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, Democratization Department, and in close cooperation with the Associate Democratic Governance Officer, the consultant will conduct one or multiple tasks from the following list:

1. Contribute to the development and drafting of new tools and knowledge products (incl. guides, handbooks, manuals, factsheets) in areas such as disability inclusion policies, laws on disability rights, and/or disability inclusion in political and public life. This assignment might include the conceptualization of research, incl. the development of research methods and tools, data collection and analysis, and actual drafting of the tools/products;
2. Conceptualizing, developing and delivering online, offline or hybrid capacity development programmes (incl. trainings, academies, workshops, coaching, mentoring study visits), targeting one or multiple target groups, like women and men aspiring for politics, MPs, civil servants, Disabled Peoples’ Organizations (DPOs), and/or youth-led/youth-serving organizations.
3. Contributing to institutional processes in the OSCE participating States, by conducting disability inclusion assessments/audits and supporting the development of strategies, action plans, roadmaps, or other forms of policies;
4. Contributing with knowledge, expertise and tools to diverse programs/activities which demand expert level support when mainstreaming disability inclusion into democratic governance, political participation, law and policy making, and other interventions related to rule of law and democratic institutions.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see: https://www.osce.org/odihr

 Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree preferably in social sciences or equivalent working experience in the area of the consultancy. A post-graduate degree or PhD degree will be considered an advantage;
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience at national and international levels in the human rights and disability rights/inclusion field, including at least six years of experience in disability rights-related and persons with disabilities-targeted research/knowledge products development, capacity building programs and/or organizational change;
• Demonstrated experience in applying innovative approaches, and developing sustainable programs/activities will be considered an advantage;
• Excellent knowledge of OSCE, UN, Council of Europe, and EU human rights standards;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of languages used in the OSCE region will be considered an advantage;
• Demonstrated gender and diversity awareness and sensitivity, and an excellent ability to integrate a gender and diversity perspective into tasks and activities;
• 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.