Background:
Human rights defenders (HRDs) in the OSCE region face challenges in conducting their human rights work safely and securely, in effectively advocating for and communicating about human rights and in taking full advantage of new technologies. To address these challenges, within “Increasing effectiveness, strengthening the enabling environment for human rights defenders” project, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) implements a set of interventions to promote a safe and enabling environment for HRDs, including National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and journalists, and to support them in conducting their work more effectively and securely.
This includes building their capacity to conduct their human rights work safely and strengthening their ability to communicate their messages with target audiences and conduct advocacy on key human rights concerns, including through the use of technology tools. These interventions are to be based on reliable data, including on the basis of ODIHR’s monitoring of the situation of HRDs in an impartial and objective manner, through collection, verification and analysis of the range of information relevant to HRDs’ work.
Due to current security situation in the region, a significant number of HRD teams work remotely, struggling to maintain effective teamwork while operating from different locations. ODIHR is seeking to provide support to HRDs to continue their work effectively in a remote setting. To this end, ODIHR seeks a consultant who would carry out a number of capacity building events on supporting organization of effective remote work for civil society organizations working in the human rights area.
Duration of Special Service Agreement:
The Consultant is expected to work circa 4 (four) working days per event/training (including preparatory, delivery and follow-up).
Location:
The consultant will work from home with travel required for delivery of the tasks. ODIHR will cover the cost of travel in line with ODIHR travel policies.
Objective:
The Human Rights Department seeks to engage a trainer to carry out a number of capacity building events (with the first one planned for the end of October 2023) on supporting the organization of effective remote work for human rights civil society organizations in the OSCE region.
Tasks and responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Project Officer, the consultant will be responsible for:
- Participating in virtual preparatory meetings with the ODIHR staff;
- Developing a pre-training survey and incorporating its findings in the training’s curriculum with a view to ensuring that the training is adapted to the participants’ needs and concerns;
- Developing a one-day training curriculum in English language for a capacity building event on effective remote work for civil society organizations working in the human rights area in the OSCE region. The training should include communication and collaboration tools for teams working remotely as well as sessions devoted to development and maintaining healthy culture of trust and teamwork. ODIHR will share with a trainer summary of needs assessment of the teams of HRDs, who due to various circumstances, work in different locations. The draft training curriculum must be sent to ODIHR for comments and review ahead of training; The training must be highly interactive and take into account the adult learning principles (andragogy); must integrate a gender perspective and needs to address challenges and obstacles faced by women HRDs in remote work setting; needs to be tailored to the context HRDs work, including sensitive environment and security challenges.
- Preparing complementary training materials, including presentations, case studies and hand-outs;
- Delivering in person training on effective remote work for HRDs teams. The language of training will depend on the selected trainer and the group, in case of need ODIHR will ensure simultaneous interpretation;
- Contributing to the developing of a post-training evaluation survey. Based on results of post-training evaluation, the consultant will prepare recommendations as to what further support for the participants organisations may be required;
- Participating in virtual a de-briefing session after the training delivery.Remote work in the context of the training should be understood as comprising telecommuting, telework, work from home, hybrid work, and other terms. It is the practice of working from one’s home or another space rather than from an office. It usually includes no obligation for team members to stay in one geographical area.
Necessary Skills and Qualifications:
- First level university degree in management, administration, law, political science, psychology or other relevant field;
- At least six years of relevant experience, including experience in managing remote work of teams on national and international level;
- In-depth applied knowledge of evidence-based effective approaches to remote working, including strategies for maintaining staff’s morale and mental well-being;
- Experience in delivering training on remote or hybrid working based on interactive methodology, ideally, for civil society organisations;
- Familiarity with the human rights framework and a good understanding of the specific challenges of remote work with civil society organization settings would be a strong advantage;
- Gender awareness and sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Respect for diversity and experience of working in a multilateral/multicultural environment;
- Professional fluency in the English language, both oral and written;
- Proficiency in the Belarusian, Russian and/or Ukrainian language(s) is considered an asset.
Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted. 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.
Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
Additional Information
- Issued by: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
- Requisition ID: ODI000080
- Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
- Grade: No grade
- Job Type: Consultant
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: ODI – Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw
- Issue Date: Jul 31, 2023
- Closing Date: Aug 21, 2023
- Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
- Job Field: Human Rights
