Consultant - Advance Passenger Information

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Archived vacancy details

The following information is provided for archival purpose only.

Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
Vacancy number: VNSECC01593
Vacancy type: Experts/Consultants
Field of expertise: Border issues
Number of posts: 1
Duty station: Vienna
Date of issue: 27 January 2021
Deadline for application: 10 February 2021 - 23:59 Central European Time (CET/CEST)

Background

		Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of approximately 75 working days. The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic,environmental and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counterterrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States (pS) enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis. At the 2016 Ministerial Council, OSCE participating States adopted Decision 6/16 on Enhancing the Use of Advance Passenger Information (API). The text of the decision stipulates that OSCE participating States will establish national API systems in alignment with existing international standards and seek to automatically cross-check the data against watch lists. It also tasks the OSCE executive structures with supporting participating States in doing this. In order to assist participating States in complying with Decision 6/16, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Border Security and Management Unit (TNTD/BSMU) is implementing the second phase of an ExB Project aimed at establishing API systems and legislative frameworks in South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The first phase focused on the drafting of tailored Roadmaps outlining the main steps that participating States need to follow to set up a national API system. Phase 2 will be carried out throughout 2021, focusing on legislation, technical assistance and operational implementation. Priority will be given to those participating States that have already established an Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) for API implementation or that have showed interest and reached out to TNTD/BSMU for assistance. The IAWG will be responsible for deciding on all necessary financial, technical and administrative issues related to API implementation and for submitting its recommendations to the appropriate decision-makers. In practice, the support provided by TNTD/BSMU includes the organization of: 1. Consultations aimed at discussing each of the different recommendations included in the Roadmaps, as well as other types of documents as requested by a participating State, to understand the progress to date on API implementation, as well as to identify and find a solution to all the issues and difficulties that have been encountered to date. 2. Legal consultations aimed at reviewing the existing national legislation to identify what provisions are missing in order to grant law enforcement officials the legal authority to collect, store and process API data in a way that the rights to privacy and data protection are guaranteed and to ensure compliance with existing internationally recognized standards. These legal consultations also seek to discuss with local experts what provisions need to be included in the legislation and to draft a new Law on API or an amendment to the existing law(s). 3. Technical consultations aimed at identifying the user requirements that need to be satisfied by the API system in a specific participating State and to verify that these requirements have been in the project that the country is steering/will steer. These consultations also include the organization of meetings with IT service providers and potential donors to present their solutions, capabilities and expertise in the field of API implementation that will provide participants with the opportunity of verifying each supplier’s suggested solution, its competence and experience.

Tasks and Responsibilities

		Considering that a number of OSCE participating States are in the process of establishing an API system as mandated by UN Security Council Resolutions, TNTD/BSMU will engage the services of a consultant to chair and facilitate the technical discussions (in online format at first and preferably in person should the circumstances allow for it). More specifically, under the supervision, guidance, and close consultation with the Project Manager, the consultant will be tasked with the following: 1. Engaging with all local stakeholders involved in aviation security (including border police and customs officers, airport and civil aviation authorities, intelligence services and legal and data protection experts, as well as senior officials in key Ministries); 2. Discussing with national legal experts the best way of amending the existing legislation on API to include missing provisions on data protection or on other aspects as a means of ensuring compliance with existing internationally recognized standards; 3. Assisting in the review of in-house technical capabilities and existing infrastructure to produce a basic report of required elements to be externally procured (e.g. delivery of API from all airlines to a single point, dissemination of data to multiple agencies, analysis of API data, IT hardware, etc.); 4. If needed, writing and issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for relevant potential IT service providers and donors to meet with the IAWG to present their solutions, capabilities and expertise in the field of connecting airline and government systems and cross-checking passenger data against national, regional, and international databases. The RFP will be based on the needs identified in the abovementioned technical review. For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat

Necessary Qualifications

		Minimum 10 years of experience in implementing passenger information projects (API, interactive API); Excellent understanding of the provisions contained in ICAO’s Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention and the WCO/IATA/ICAO Guidelines on API in relation to the setting up of API systems; Good knowledge of the OSCE and its area of operation. Previous assignments within the OSCE or another international organization would be a strong asset; Excellent analytical, diplomatic and negotiation skills; Excellent oral and written English language skills and the ability to draft documents clearly and concisely; Flexibility and ability to work under pressure in a challenging environment and within limited time frames; Professional competence with MS Office and Windows applications, including word processing and e-mail; Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds; Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity as well as ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Required competencies

		Core values Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work Core competencies Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances Managerial competencies (for positions with managerial responsibilities) Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities

Remuneration Package

		Remuneration will depend on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications and experience and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

How To Apply

		If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies. If you are not a national of a participating State, you must apply by submitting an offline application form which can be found under https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. Only those applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted. Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/states. 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. Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.