Local Consultant to support Kosovo institutions in conducting an assessment of Informal Settlements situation (SSAs)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background:

The Vienna Declaration defines Informal Settlements (Ifs) as “human settlements, which for a variety of reasons do not meet requirements for legal recognition … exist in their respective countries and hamper economic development.” The Declaratin further notes that there is diversity in their manifestation, but they are mainly characterised by “informal or insecure land tenure, inadequate access to basic services, both social and physical infrastructure and housing finance.” According to Law No. 04/L-174 on Spatial Planning municipalities are responsible to address Ifs through municipal zoning maps , while the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI) is responsible for the development of policy on treatment of Ifs . Treatment of Ifs is important especially due to the fact that residents of these settlements are in most of the cases members of the social vulnerable groups, including Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Ashkali and Kosovo Egyptian communities. In this context, the European Commission 2021 Kosovo report has invited Kosovo institutions to address the issue of Ifs . Therefore, the Mission, acting on its mandate to support vulnerable communities in Kosovo, seeks to support the MESPI to conduct an assessment on Ifs in Kosovo. The Mission will hire a consultant who will conduct an assessment on Ifs and, based on the results of the assessment, will discuss with MESPI and other potential donorson further steps on regularisation of Ifs.

Objective of Assignment:

The objective of this assignment is to support the MESPI in fulfilling its legal obligations and provide solutions for the regularization of Ifs, and contribute in improving the living conditions and ensure property titles for vulnerable communities residing in Ifs.

Duration of Assignment:

Duration of the assignment will be 3 months.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Property Rights portfolio manager (Property, Cultural Heritage and Interfaith Dialogue Section), the local consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Liaise/coordinate with the MESPI Department of Spatial Planning, Construction and Housing and municipalities to gather information and guidance on treatment of Ifs, as foreseen in the Law No. 04/L-174 on Spatial Planning;
• Meet with Governments office for Strategic Planning to consult on the elements an assessment should include for the purpose of policy development;
• Liaise/consult with relevant municipal officials on Ifs;
• Meet with spatial planning, architecture, construction, environmental, infrastructure specialists from civil society sector to discuss Ifs;
• Perform the assessment of the Ifs Kosovo-wide;
• Draft initial Ifs assessment report, and send for review and pre-approval to the Property Rights portfolio manager and MESPI;
• Present the draft assessment report on Ifs to all relevant stakeholders; receive, address and incorporate justified comments; and,
• Deliver final report on assessment of Ifs in Kosovo to Property rights portfolio manager in hard copy and e-version.

Deliverables:

• By 15 June gathers inputs from meetings with MESPI, government officials, institutional and civil society specialists;
• From 16 June to 14 June drafts the first versions of the assessment report on Ifs;
• From 15 to 25 July presents, discusses and agrees with Property rights portfolio manager and MESPI first draft version of the assessment report on Ifs;
• From 26 July to 5 August presents the draft version of the assessment report on Ifs to relevant stakeholders and interested parties;
• From 6 August to 15 August incorporates justified comments and suggestions of the stakeholders and interested parties on the draft version of the assessment report on Ifs;
• By 28 August submits the final draft of the assessment report on Ifs to property rights portfolio manager;
• By 30 August submits a report on completion of the assignment.

Performance Indicators:

• Submits a report on the meetings with relevant parties and stakeholders, as scheduled;
• Submits a copy of the draft assessment report on Ifs, as specified;
• Timely and quality submission of a final draft of the assessment report on Ifs as per the requirements of the Property Rights portfolio manager ;
• Submits a report on completion of the assignment, as determined in the contract.

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in spatial/urban planning, architecture, construction, public policy, or the law. A combination of two or more fields is preferred;
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience with duties on assessment or drafting of the spatial/urban planning;
• Experience in consultation and coordination with governmental bodies and civil society;
• Familiar with the spatial/urban planning rules, procedures, and legislation;
• Familiar with the situation in Kosovo related to Ifs;
• Familiar with practices/experiences in the Balkans, and wider, on the treatment of Ifs;
• Good command in Windows software, Microsoft Office and PowerPoint;
• Familiarity with gender equality and gender mainstreaming principles;
• Relevant experience working with OSCE, UN agencies, international organizations, and/or NGOs is desirable.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in assessments for purpose of development of policies;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent knowledge of English and local official languages (written and spoken); and
• Excellent computer skills.

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 under https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: [email protected]. In line with your qualifications please indicate preference to one or more fields 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: PRO00001Q
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: one
• Location: OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Prishtine / Pristina
• Posting Date: May 10, 2022
• Closing Date: May 24, 2022
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Human Rights
• Target Start Date: 04/06/2022