Background:
The state of media in Kosovo continues to suffer from similar problems as in past years, including the operational difficulties of key media institutions, journalists’ intimidation, and the inconsistency in maintaining high reporting and journalism standards. While freedom of media and expression is largely safeguarded from a legislative perspective, the implementation of the respective laws and regulations remains inadequate. Associations of journalists are finding it difficult to have a meaningful voice to protect their members and the triad of law enforcement, judiciary, and the prosecution are not coordinating effectively enough to process attacks against journalists. Such an environment has in turn led to prevailing pressure and intimidation against journalists with no sufficient mechanisms to keep them safe and enable them to perform their jobs without fear or hindrance.
This activity foresees a two-day training course and a concluding workshop in Prishtinë/Priština. Up to 30 young and aspiring journalists and students of law will partake in the mock court simulation in groups. The mock court exercise will cover the complete process of reporting from a trial hearing, including entering the building in the correct attire, finding the applicable courtroom, addressing the appropriate judicial personnel, and covering the hearing in the appropriate manner, from both perspectives, in the capacity of the judiciary and journalists reporting from the courts. Two local consultants with extensive experience in court monitoring and access to the Palace of Justice will be engaged to lead the exercise and engage local judges and prosecutors. The exercise will include three days of preparation, two days of mock court exercise implementation, and a concluding workshop. The workshop will engage all participants (judges, prosecutors, journalists, and students of law) to assess the exercise, address challenges, and provide recommendations, which will be summarised in a concluding report.
Objective of Assignment:
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo requires the services of two local consultants with proven records in media legislation to enhance the capacity of up to 30 journalists in mock court reporting.
Duration of Assignment:
The consultants will be engaged for 10 days.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The scope of the work performed by the consultants will include the following: a) Prepare the training material that will be used to deliver the training for the mock court reporting and share with the Activity Manager for review; b) Facilitate a two-day training course for the students of journalism, students of law and journalists on court reporting practices; c) Provide hands-on and real-life examples on court reporting; d) Engage judges, prosecutors, and other relevant representatives of justice institutions to partake in the training; e) Prepare and deliver post-training reports and evaluations.
Deliverables:
a) Between 1st October and 15th November the consultants deliver the plan to the Media Section (MS) Project/Activity Manager for preparation and delivery of a timeline for two sessions of mock reporting training, one day workshop, and follow-up; b) From 1 to 3 November conduct a two-day training course on mock court reporting and one day workshop for approximately 30 students of journalism, students of law, and journalists on court reporting practises, and a concluding workshop; c) From 1 to 3 November, the consultants will carry out preparatory and follow-up work for participants, assess developed skills, address challenges and best practices; d) By 10 November compose practices, and submit the final evaluation report to the MS Project/Activity Manager.
Performance Indicators:
- Final documents incorporating comments received from the MS Project Manager delivered in appropriate format and quality as requested by the Project Manager;
- Positive feedback provided by the participants on the activity, responsiveness, and effectiveness of the consultant during the engagement;
- The evaluation report by consultants and evaluation by participants on training and workshop, and implementation of activity submitted on time and to the quality agreed upon with the Project Manager.
Necessary Qualifications:
- University degree in law, political science, journalism or other related field;
- Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in media/journalism and communication sector;
- At least five years of experience in training of journalists and editors,
- Knowledge of media development and ability to deal with media development in South-eastern Europe with particular knowledge of Kosovo media landscape;
- Experience in court monitoring and/or court reporting;
- Professional knowledge of Albanian and English language; knowledge of Serbian language is desirable.
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.
In order to apply for this position you must complete the OSCE’s online application form, found under https://vacancies.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 at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: consultancy.omik@osce.org. In line with your qualifications please indicate a 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 social backgrounds to apply.
Additional Information
- Issued by: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
- Requisition ID: KOS000074
- Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
- Grade: No grade
- Job Type: Consultant
- Number of posts: two
- Location: KOS – OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Prishtine / Pristina
- Issue Date: Aug 8, 2023
- Closing Date: Aug 21, 2023
- Target Start Date: 01/10/2023