International Academic Expert
Alert
Vacancy
BACKGROUND
The ExB Project “Creating platforms of counter-messaging and disengagement to prevent and counter Violent Extremist Radicalization Leading to Terrorism” builds on the work of the OSCE Presence in Albania (hereinafter “the Presence”) in 2015 and 2016 to support the efficiency, effectiveness and professionalism of the country's security sector, with a fresh and innovative focus on one of the highest profile security issues for Albania and for the OSCE security community. Through its first component “Systematic local research and comprehensive awareness-raising campaigns on countering VERLT” the project aims to increase capacities in interdisciplinary research approach which reflects the theoretical perusal of the multi-agency modus operandi of the overall project. The complexity of ground research in VERLT requires intensive and broad engagement of academia and numerous other stakeholders. The first Pillar of the National Strategy on CVE in Albania is entirely dedicated to the enhancement of research and data gathering from as many mediums as possible. This research on VERLT in Albania is still at its inception phase. Currently there are only a few studies conducted by prominent researchers; the data are neither falsifiable nor critiqued with no peer review practice. It is therefore necessary to broaden the spectrum and opportunities to interested parties to conduct research regarding VERLT root factors, counter-narratives or risk-reduction, integrating gender perspective in the research body. As feasible, the project will encourage researchers to identify positive factors of resilience that prevention should seek to bolster. The project will also ensure that the conceptual challenges and human rights issues that may arise in countering and preventing VERLT be taken into consideration in the research studies. In this frame work, two International Academic Experts will be recruited to organize 3 days’ workshop, in order to prepare training materials and guidance to the researchers involved in the project in 4 different topics: i) women’s role in preventing violent extremism; (ii) youth radicalization in Albania; (iii) online radicalization; and (iv) judicial response to violent extremism: security and human rights paradigms. The expert will be tasked to deliver lectures and presentations on the topic of Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism (VERLT) to the researchers involved in the project, to provide conceptual and technical guidance to the researchers about the research papers, and on the third day of the workshop the expert will brainstorm ideas on how to develop curricula on the CVE together with the members of the Steering Board and the young researchers. At the end of the assignment, the expert should prepare a set of recommendations about possible curricula on CVE to be introduced in the Albanian universities.
Objective:
To recruit two international experts who will work in a team to develop and deliver three-day workshop to selected researchers on the topic of researching violent extremism in Albania, and thus enhance the knowledge and understanding of the researchers on the phenomenon - root factors, factors of resilience, gender perspective, and risk-reduction. The experts will ensure that the conceptual challenges and human rights issues that may arise in countering and preventing VERLT be taken into consideration in the research studies.
Tasks and responsibilities:
1) Prepare during one week period training materials and guidance for the young researchers on the topic of VERLT, focussing in particular on these 4 areas: i) women’s role in preventing violent extremism; (ii) youth radicalization in Albania; (iii) online radicalization; and (iv) judicial response to violent extremism: security and human rights paradigms.
a. 1 PowerPoint presentation about general introduction on CVE in the Balkan region
b. 4 PowerPoint presentations focussing on the 4 areas mentioned above
c. After receiving the drafts of the research projects sent by the Presence, provide a set of recommendations, guidelines and a list of literature and reading materials.
2) Participate in a 3-day workshop with local senior and young researchers (including the members of the Steering Board) that shall aim at developing local capacities in research of community related aspects of violent extremism in Albania;
a. Prepare and deliver interactive lectures on VERLT issues during the first day of the workshop;
b. Provide training and technical guidance to the researchers in relation to their respective research projects (research design, data collection, analyses, ethical or human rights consideration etc.) in the second day of the workshop;
c. Take part in a brainstorming session on curricula development by sharing with the participants models and practices on how CVE related topics are researched and taught in various academic and research settings. The brainstorming session will take part during the third day of the workshop.
3) Prepare a final report that includes: the presentation (together with a list / set of literature or reading materials), curricula models and a set of recommendations regarding the curricula on the VERLT to be introduced in Albania. This shall be made available to practitioners and local researchers.
4) Review research drafts and advice the project team on research matters during the assignment.
Expected Output/Deliverable:
Deliverables
Deliverable no.1
Prepare during one week period training materials on VERLT and guidance for the young researchers in these 4 topics: i) women’s role in preventing violent extremism; (ii) youth radicalization in Albania; (iii) online radicalization; and (iv) judicial response to violent extremism: security and human rights paradigms.
Timeframe: 15-22 January 2018
Deliverable no.2
In a 3 days’ workshop:
a) Take part and deliver interactive lectures on CVE issues during the first day of the workshop,
b) Take part and deliver training and technical guidance to the researchers in relation to their respective research during the second day,
c) Take part in a brainstorming session on curricula development by sharing with the participants models and practices on how CVE related topics are researched and toughed in various academic and research settings, during the third day.
Timeframe: Before February 1, 2018
Deliverable no.3
Prepare a final report that includes the presentation (together with a list / set of literature or reading materials), specific recommendations for the targeted research in Albania in four outlined areas, as well as curricula models and a set of recommendations regarding the curricula on the CVE in Albania.
Timeframe: within two weeks after the workshop, by 15 February the latest.
Necessary Qualifications:
• Advanced Degree in a discipline relevant to one or more of the following topics: Security Studies, Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Human Rights or in a related field;
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience and knowledge related to one or more of the following areas: Security, Counter-terrorism, Anthropology, Social Sciences (Sociology and Psychology) and Human Rights ;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of academic experience on developing and delivering training in one or more topics: Interdisciplinary courses on Security and Terrorism, Social Studies, Human Rights Studies, Security Journalism , engaging and empowering civil society and youth;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Professional knowledge of English with excellent writing skills
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in applying monitoring, evaluation and learning techniques, including innovative approaches for complex social settings in the area of Research Methodologies in P/CVERLT
• Proven didactic skills and ability to use modern training approaches (inclusive and interactive);
• Previous experience in international capacity-building assistance, preferably with the OSCE or the United Nations, or any other regional or international organizations, is an asset;
• Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Computer literate;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
Remuneration:
The international expert will be receiving a total of 3000 euros paid in instalments, after the submission of the respective deliverables, upon the approval of the hiring department.
The Presence shall provide Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at the Tirana rate for the duration of the stay in Albania, and terminal allowances in accordance with the OSCE regulatory framework, subject to submission of appropriate invoices.
In addition, the Presence shall provide a round-trip ticket to Tirana at the most direct economic route, according to the OSCE regulatory framework.
How to apply:
All applications are due by 05 January 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.