International Consultant - Needs Assessment Afghanistan (SSA)

Contract

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Background:

As the world's largest regional security organization, the OSCE plays a crucial role in addressing the human rights and security of both women and men, girls and boys. The Gender Issues Programme, under the Office of the OSCE Secretary General (hereafter "Gender Section"), works to implement the 2004 OSCE Action Plan and relevant MC decisions. It also supports efforts to integrate gender equality into all OSCE policies, programs, projects, and activities across the three dimensions of comprehensive security.

The OSCE’s new multi-year, comprehensive project “WIN - Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality” will advance gender equality as a necessary prerequisite for achieving and maintaining stable, prosperous and peaceful societies in the OSCE area, in line with the OSCE 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the Women, and other MC commitments.

Security in Afghanistan is closely linked with security in Central Asia and the entire OSCE region. Three OSCE participating states from the central Asia region share borders with Afghanistan: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

In December 2007 the OSCE decided to strengthen its engagement with Afghanistan, which has been an OSCE Asian Partner for Co-operation since 2003. In December 2021, through Decision 4/11, the MC reiterated this commitment by further strengthening the OSCE’s engagement with Afghanistan on the basis of the OSCE concept of comprehensive, co-operative and indivisible security.”

In June 2022, the Special OSCE Asian Partners discussed a framework for responding to Afghanistan's impact on the OSCE region, emphasizing gender-related aspects and the effects on young women and men in Central Asia.

In March 2023, in the margins of the Commission of the Status of Women, the OSCE organised a conference on the digital empowerment of women in conflict settings. The event highlighted the role of digitalization in offering new economic opportunities for women from conflict countries, including income generation, access to services, information, education and receiving identification documents.

During an OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group meeting in May 2023, participants discussed the critical human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid noted that the OSCE would continue addressing the regional consequences of developments in Afghanistan and support the brave women and girls resisting and fighting for their dignity.

At a time where digital technologies are prevalent, equal access is a prerequisite for women and girls to fully enjoy human rights. These technologies can provide access to life-saving information, public services, and platforms for employment, training, and education. OSCE leaders have repeatedly called for further action to leverage innovation and digital technology to eradicate all forms of gender inequality.

Despite the potential of digitalization to combat gender inequality, more efforts are needed to bridge the gender digital divide and increase women's access to fundamental human rights. With this in mind, the Gender Section is seeking a consultant to conduct a needs assessment to identify the needs, gaps, and opportunities of digital tools for the economic empowerment of Afghan women residing in Central Asia. This assessment would inform the development of activities on digitalization tailored to the needs of Afghan women in Central Asia.

Issues to be explored in the needs assessment:

• What initiatives and networks are already in place? • What specific needs do Afghan women identify in this area? • What are the main gaps, challenges and opportunities for Afghan women to work with digital technologies? • What are the specific entry points for OSCE and the WIN project?

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The overall objective of the assignment is to conduct a needs assessment to identify the needs, gaps and opportunities of digital tools for the economic empowerment of Afghan women living in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Following main deliverables are expected: 1. Propose timeline and methodology (2-3 working days) - Methodology and detailed work plan developed based on consultative meetings with GIP/WIN team with clear timelines and deliverables.

2. Desk Review (3 days) - A thorough desk review is conducted, mapping the different activities focused on the development and support of digital tools for Afghan women living in Central Asia.

3. Conducting key informant interviews (5 days) - Interviews are conducted with a minimum of 12 Afghan women and experts on the topic in Central Asia

4. Draft Needs Assessment Report (5 days) approx. 10 pages - A draft Needs assessment report is presented for discussion with GIP/WIN team

5. Final Needs Assessment Report (2 days) approx. 10 pages - Needs Assessment completed and comments addressed/incorporated, presented to GIP/WIN team.

6. Draft ToRs for Implementing Partner (1 day) - The ToRs for an implementing partner are prepared in the OSCE format

Necessary Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant area (gender studies, human rights, social and political sciences) supplemented by formal training on gender issues and/or digital tools • Minimum 8 years of professional experience in the development of needs assessments • Proven experience in conducting research (i.e., desk reviews, questionnaires, interviews) and drafting reports on the topics indicated for this assignment. • Proven experience in project/programmes on the use of digital tools for the economic empowerment of women • Excellent knowledge of English, including excellent communication and drafting skills • Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

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: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC000487
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Jun 12, 2024
• Closing Date: Jun 26, 2024
• Job Field: Human Rights