National Consultant to conduct a Baseline Assessment for the Civil Society Dialogue Forums
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Vacancy
Background:
The OSCE Presence in Albania is working to identify challenges of civil society at the local level, in the framework of its engagement strengthen its role in democratic processes in Albania. The Presence aims to initiate a series of semi-formal dialogue forums with CSOs in three regions of the country on access to information, challenges to participation in decision-making, availability of resources, cooperation and partnerships.. For each location, between 20-25 active CSOs will be invited through open call fields in each local forum. The forums will serve to raise questions and concerns, along with comments and suggestions on how to improve NGO coordination, create sustainability and better thematic networking between CSOs, donors and institutions at the local and national level.The overall objective of the civil society forums is to conduct three local semi-formal focus groups discussions for the triple purpose of 1) mapping locally active CSOs, by field of work, activities, priorities, challenges in the target area 2) understanding long-term dynamics of cooperation and coordination between civil society-local governments/local and international donors in the target area and outlooks for future synergies and sustainability and 3) collecting feedbacks and inputs of the main challenges faced by CSOs at local level and reflecting on the main possible solutions 4) encourage to take their own initiatives and to be proactive in their communication with donor community as a primary tool to coordinate assistance and boost networking for civil society. The three forums should lead to a more coherent approach to civil society development and will set the basis for new mechanisms of structured dialogue between OSCE and civil society at the local level. About 80-100 participants are expected are expected to take place in the forums, including representatives of civil society organisations, local media, academics, think tanks, representatives of vulnerable groups, and civil society activists.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for organizing three discussion forums with civil society activists and NGO representatives at the local level in three separate locations and work out a final assessment report on the work done. In more detail, s/he will:
• Develop in consultation with CSGU/OSCE PiA, a methodology for conducting three forums (with focus group methodology, including the tools/questionnaires and methodology for data collection of both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Hold an inception meeting with PiA upon the delivery of the proposed methodology and conduct a desk review of key relevant documents (both provided by PiA and identified by the consultant) in relation to the civil society framework in Albania, and the specific constraints in the project’s target areas.
• Collect key information from local stakeholders (with targeted stakeholders in three project intervention areas, related to the fulfillment of the assignment.
• Map active CSOs in three locations for the purpose of contacting them for getting input and for inviting them in three meetings/focus groups,
• Contact and invite selected CSOs and relevant stakeholders in three civil society forums.
• Lead the discussion in three local civil society forums in cooperation with PiA and in line with the developed focus groups methodology and the above mentioned overall objective of the forums
• Draw notes and prepare three assessment reports on the civil society forum, including suggested interventions for PiA in line with its civil society development portfolio.
• Incorporate OSCE comments and suggestions to the three assessment reports, and submit a final assessment report on needs and constraints of civil society at the local level.
Necessary Qualifications:
• The consultant should have an extensive knowledge of civil society and institutional framework in Albania, contacts and work experience with local civil society organizations in different regions across Albania.
• A minimum of a Master’s degree in the fields of Social Sciences, Development Studies, Political Studies, Law, Education.
• Experience as a consultant / advisor / analyst for development organizations, organizations, NGOs or state institutions for at least 5 years.
• Experience in conducting desk reviews/ focus groups/ data analysis, as well as rapid assessments and/or evaluations with participatory research tools and methods.
Remuneration:
The remuneration for this assignment is 1,440 Euros, payable in one instalment after the delivery and approval from the Project Manager of final consultancy report.
How to Apply:
All applications are due by 22 April 2018. If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's on line application link found under link https://jobs.osce.org/. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer a contract with modified Terms of Reference or for a different duration. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization. Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.