Local Media Expert

Background:
The impact of uncontrolled proliferation and possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), ammunition and explosives continue to constitute a major threat to public safety, social and economic development in Albania. Poorly controlled and illegal SALW, ammunition and explosives sustain criminal elements and organized crime, by enabling violence and insecurity. All of these aspects have very negative effects on security and confidence–building measures in the country and the region. 
Therefore, the project “Assisting the national authorities of the Republic of Albania to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)” aims to support the Republic of Albania’s efforts to implement OSCE commitments in the field of preventing and combating SALW proliferation, thus contributing to the national and regional security and stability. Furthermore, it will contribute to one of the main priority areas as identified by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania and the Albanian State Police by increasing the capacities of Albanian authorities in raising public awareness of the dangers of misuse and proliferation of SALW.
SALW project organizes several activities in the framework of the project results, based on the OSCE international and local commitments.  In this context the Project is recruiting a local expert for contextualized and localisation of a handbook with ethical and professional reporting guidelines for the journalists covering SALW and gender-based violence, to be developed by an international expert. The local expert is expected to work in close cooperation with the international expert hired by the project.

Objective of Assignment: 
The Handbook for journalists covering SALW and gender-based violence affairs will be developed based on the assessment of media reporting and capacity building needs of journalists . The handbook includes a set of theoretical and practical guidelines for Albanian public and private media outlets, broadcast, print and online media. 
Through this handbook, the SALW project aims to improve media professional standards and enhance the media engagement in initiatives that would increase the public knowledge on the risks and dangers of the illegal position of firearms.
The handbook will be based on international standards of freedom of expression, and in line with Code of Ethics  and Audio-visual Media Law 97/2013 . 
The handbook must be contextualized taking into account the local media landscape, ethical and legal media standards with the aim to enhance the media reporting skills in the context of SALW and gender based violence.  

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy is envisaged to be completed during a period of 6 months, starting potentially from September 2024.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
1.    Closely coordinate with the international expert during the localisation of handbook based on the local contexts, as well as other relevant stakeholders, such as Ministry of Interior and Albanian State Police, but not limited to them. 
2.    After receiving the zero draft of the handbook, the local expert will amend the handbook by ensuring a better understanding of the local media context and media landscape, theoretical and practical reporting requirements, based on Albanian ethical and legal media standards.

3.     Provide the final handbook based on final feedback of OSCE, Ministry of Interior, Albanian State Police.  
4.    Deliver the handbook to the journalists through a workshop to be organised from the project. 

Deliverables:

1. Regular coordination meetings between project team, international expert, as well as MOI and ASP representatives throughout the assignment and as needed, as part of the process to contextualise the handbook.   
2. Contextualized handbook of minimum 50 pages, Times New Roman format, 12 font. 
3. Contextualised final handbook, minimum 50 pages, Times New Roman format, 12 font.  

4. The one-day workshop successfully conducted and measured through a pre and post survey to measure the learning through the workshop.  

Necessary Qualifications:

• Education:
  •    Professional studies at media, journalism, public relation and communication and other relevant fields. 
  Experience:
  •    10-15 years of field reporting experience in local and regional (and international is preferable) regarding news events for television, radio, print, and online. 
  •    Familiarity and experience reporting on issues related to security, crimes, law enforcement, gender-based violence and other related subject matters.
  •    A native speaker and writer of Albanian, with Albanian news reporting experience covering both beat reporting and long-form journalism skills.  
  •    Familiar with the cultural, political, and geographic background of the country of Albania and the region. 
  •    Familiarity with the political structures such as Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Albanian State Police as well as relevant structures.  
  •    A track record of preparing materials for mid-career professionals and university-level students of journalism that are operating as working journalists, or aspiring to be. 
  •    Experience in drafting content and publications for the investigative journalism, field reporting skills, with on-air/on-camera and in-studio experience. 
  •    Experience conducting training in the field of security, crimes, law enforcement, gender-based violence reporting topics.   
  •    Proficiency in drafting publications and collaboration with counterparts, fellow contributors, editors, publishers, and project managers. 
  •    Capacity to work remotely with independent guidance, prompt communications skills online and in conference call platforms to work collaboratively and meet tight-editing deadlines.  
  •    Capacity to professionally proof-read, copy-edit, and provide constructive editorial critique of content.  Ability to accept editorial, legal, and professional guidance to ensure alignment with protocols of internationally mandated institutions.  (UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, European Court of Human Rights, et al.)  

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.