National Expert on Civil Society

Background:
Following the Presence’s effort to support the progress of the current roadmap for the enabling environment for civil society  as well as the proposed “Roadmap for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions”  of the Albanian Government, the project “Empowering for Citizen Engagement and Gender Equality in Albania- Phase II” aims to focus on strengthening the National Council for Civil Society (NCCS) structure and function to further institutionalize cooperation between civil society and governance. Under this project, the OSCE Presence in Albania (PiA) will support this effort by cooperating with relevant stakeholders including international actors, public institutions, and civil society organizations.
In this framework, the project will involve a national expert to conduct a thorough gap analysis of the current legal and functional competencies of the NCCS. This analysis will assess the legal, institutional and organizational changes required to strengthen and enhance the capacities of the NCCS. The review will focus on NCCS’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability and the ability to fully leverage partnerships with other actors.
The expert will engage in desk research, interviews, and consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders to gather feedback and insights. Specifically, at least 3 consultation meetings will be organized with relevant stakeholders at both national and local levels. The expert should evaluate possible successful models from the region regarding the governance structure, mandate, functions, partnership and collaboration of NCCS.
The national expert will be engaged for 5 months, with an estimated 17 working days in total. Based on in-depth analysis, the expert will develop options to address the challenges identified. The final report, including its findings, will be shared with relevant stakeholders. Based on the final gap analysis report, the project will assist the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in close cooperation with the National Council for Civil Society to review the current Law of the Establishment and Functioning of the National Council for Civil Society (No.119/2015). The project will support an inclusive consultation process with all relevant stakeholders to collect their feedback. To implement this initiative, the Presence will close co-operation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the National Council for Civil Society.

Objective of Assignment: 
The national expert (to be hired in the framework of the above project, as per activity 1.1 Supporting the improvement of the legislative framework and function of the National Council for Civil Society) will prepare a thorough analysis of the current legal, functional competencies of the National Council for Civil Society through considering Challenges, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Strengths of this structure as well as he /she will present the findings and recommendations to the relevant stakeholders.

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy is envisaged to be completed during a period of 3 months, starting potentially from July 2024.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
– Develop in consultation with PiA, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the National Council for Civil Society, a methodology to conduct the gap analysis report for the improvement of the legislative framework and functioning of the National Council for Civil Society. The review will focus on NCCS’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability and the ability to fully leverage partnerships with other actors (Methodology Development);
– Assess different models of the National Council for Civil Society operating in the region and undertake a comprehensive desk research to gather relevant information on the legal framework, mandates and operations of the National Council for Civil Society (Assess different NCCS models and Conduct Desk Research);
– Conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including representatives from NCCS, government agencies, civil society organizations, international donor organizations and other relevant actors (Interviews);
Conduct an inclusive consultation process with all relevant stakeholders to collect their feedback on the NCCS – including organizing targeted consultative meetings at both local and national levels (Consultation meetings);
– Prepare and compile all findings, recommendations and insights into a final gap report which will include legal, institutional and organizational changes required to enhance the NCCS’s effectiveness and efficiency as well as provide findings: Challenges, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Strengths of the NCCS (Draft the Preliminary Final Report);
– Based on the final gap analysis report, the project will assist Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the National Council for Civil Society to review the current Law of the Establishment and Functioning of the National Council for Civil Society (No.119/2015). The Gap analysis expert is expected to ensure a smoothly handover of information and insights to the legal expert who will be responsible for drafting legal framework (Handover to the Legal Expert);
– Share the findings and recommendations with relevant stakeholders of the gab analysis, including representatives of the NCCS, government agencies, civil society organizations, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and other relevant actors and collect their final inputs to finalize the report (Presentation of Findings);

Deliverables:

– Share the draft methodology prepared for the gap report with the Presence for the final approval;
– Include a section within the gab report focused on existing models of the NCCS and prepare an overview of the legal framework, mandates and operations of NCCS including other relevant key documents
– Include the findings and inputs from the interview in the gap analysis (preliminary contact with identified/selected CSOs or relevant stakeholders to be prepared and shared with the Presence and administration of pre-interview data collection instruments (qualitative interviews);
–  Preliminary contact with identified/selected CSOs and other relevant stakeholders to be invited in 3 consultation meetings; 
– Conduct and moderate at least 3 consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders at the local and national levels in close co-operation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and collect their inputs and recommendations; 
– Draft and share meeting notes for these three consultation meetings;
– Draft the Final Gap Analysis Reports in close consultation with the Presence and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection;
Collaborate closely with the Ministry and the legal expert to provide necessary context and guidance based on the findings of the gap analysis.

– Collect feedback on the proposed recommendations;
– Submit the final Gap Analysis Report to the Presence;

Necessary Qualifications:

•    A minimum Master’s degree in the fields of Social Sciences, Development Studies, Political Studies, Law, Education, Economy, Public Administration, European Studies and International Cooperation;
•    Experience as a consultant / advisor / analyst for development organizations, organizations, CSO or state institutions for at least 5 years;
•    Have extensive knowledge of civil society-related legal and institutional framework in Albania, complemented with contacts and work experience with local civil society organizations in different regions across Albania; 
•    Experience in conducting desk reviews/ focus groups/ data analysis, as well as rapid assessments and/or evaluations with participatory research tools and methods;
•    3 years of experience in implementing capacity-building interventions and co-ordination and monitoring of government strategies and action plans;
•Excellent English drafting, reporting and communication skills;
•    Concrete expertise in legal, technical, and organizational aspects related to the functioning of a CSO by being directly involved in executive CSO positions would be a plus;

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.