International Expert on preventing and combating Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism (VERLT)
Alert
Vacancy
Background
The Mission’s mandate, outlined in OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 305 of 1 July 1999, gives the Mission a “leading role in matters relating to institution- and democracy building and human rights.” In furtherance of its mandate and commitments, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has been significantly engaged in activities related to prevention of Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism (VERLT) since 2015, upon the request for support from Kosovo institutions to draft the Strategy and Action Plan on Prevention of VERLT. This institution-building support has been delivered within the framework of the Ministerial Council’s Declaration MC.DOC/5/14 , which calls on OSCE executive structures to “offer assistance in capacity-building activities” as well as to “continue to promote OSCE efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, including through community policing approaches to preventing terrorism, in particular at the local level”. The OSCE’s multi-dimensional approach was further shaped through the 2015 Ministerial Council Declaration on Preventing and Countering VERLT (MC.DOC/4/15), which called upon the organization’s executive structures to “strengthen the role of civil society, women, youth and religious leaders”, as well as, within their respective mandate and available resources, to “facilitate the exchange of practical experiences and good practices” in efforts to prevent and counter VERLT. In response to this, the Mission has supported Kosovo institutions in the development of the Strategy and Action Plan on Prevention of VERLT 2015-2020. The Mission is also part of the Governmental Working Group on VERLT, which is chaired by the Coordinator on Counterterrorism / Countering Violent Extremism (CT/CVE). Moreover, during the past five years the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has implemented several activities in Kosovo that cover the promotion of community policing approaches, encouraging educational initiatives, co-operation among experts from institutions, civil society, academia, the media, as well as strengthening the role of civil society, women, youth and religious leaders to counter the phenomenon of VERLT. With views to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Mission’s work in the area, the Mission wishes to evaluate its past performance to inform and adjust future programming.
Scope of the evaluation
OSCE Mission in Kosovo is seeking to hire an international expert to evaluate its work in Preventing and Combating Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism (P/C VERLT) from programmatic and organisational point of view. The evaluation will focus on the following questions:
1.) Results
a. Relevance: To which extent the Mission’s P/C VERLT activities are relevant to address the needs of the beneficiaries in Kosovo, and to comply with the MC.DOC/4/15, Mission’s mandate and strategic priorities?
b. Effectiveness: To which extent the P/C VERLT interventions were effective in achieving the results (outputs and their contribution to outcomes)? What factors account for these results? Were there any unanticipated results? What was not achieved and why? How were the P/C VERTL interventions planned and implemented?
c. Coherence and added value: To which extent the P/C VERLT interventions complement other Mission’s interventions? To which extent the Mission provides meaningful contribution to the overall P/C VERLT efforts in Kosovo?
2.) Management
a. How effective are the Mission’s internal procedures related to the delivery of the P/C VERLT interventions (prioritization, decision-making, donor coordination, policy-setting vs its operationalization, functionality, composition and roles of the Working Group)?
3.) Lessons learned and recommendations
a. What lessons learned and successful practices can be extracted to inform further Mission’s programming? What unsuccessful practices can be identified to avoid in future and correct the course of Mission’s programming?
b. Which successful and unsuccessful practices can be identified to improve Mission’s internal processes of needs assessment, prioritization, decision-making, external (other donors) and internal (across Departments) coordination?
Evaluation methodology
The evaluator will be selected based on a proposed methodology for the evaluation. The methodology will be then finalised in details at the beginning of the contract based on feedback by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The draft methodology should include as mandatory chapters: Background, strategy and approach, including proposed evaluation questions with matrix consisting of preliminary indicators and means of verification, understanding of the task as per the ToR, key issues and limitations for the evaluation to be conducted, integration of cross-cutting issues in the evaluation, risks, methodological approach for evaluation, timeframe and workplan.
The evaluation will ensure that key stakeholders will be consulted. The evaluation will involve the following:
Desk review of all relevant documents, including research and evaluation of similar programmes in Western Balkans Interviews, surveys and/or group discussions with stakeholders and partners Field visits across Kosovo, depending on the COVID-19 epidemiological situation
Tasks and Responsibilities
The international consultant will work in co-ordination with the Mission’s Project/Programme Evaluation Officer, under overall supervision of the Mission’s VERLT Working Group, which will also act as evaluation Reference Group. The international consultant will be expected to perform the following duties:
Key Deliverables:
Table of Contents (1 page)
Executive summary (max. 2 pages)
Methodology (max. 5 pages)
Analysis and findings (max. 15 pages)
Lessons learned (max. 5 pages)
Recommendations (max. 2 pages)
Annexes (including interviews list, data collection instruments, key documents consulted)
Necessary Qualifications
Remuneration Package
Remuneration will depend on the qualifications and experience of individual experts as well as the detailed work plan to be agreed upon and will be based on the current OSCE consultancy rates.
How To Apply
In order to apply for this position you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under https://jobs.osce.org/.Applicants are encouraged to use the online recruitment and only fully completed OSCE applications will be accepted. However, if you have technical difficulties with the system you may use the offline application form found under https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: consultancy.omik@osce.org. In line with your qualifications please indicate preference to one or more field of expertise listed above (while using the online application the field of expertise preference can be indicated in the cover letter part). Kindly note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language would not be considered. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and socialbackgrounds to apply