National Consultant - Experts on Biological Safety and Security in Ukraine (SSA)

Consultant

Overview

Provide expertise in biological safety and security to support Ukrainian authorities.

You have:

• First-level University degree in biology, medicine, public health, veterinary medicine, broader CBRN security or similar.
• Proven practical experience in dealing with biosafety and biosecurity issues in Ukraine; good general knowledge of Ukrainian public management issues; some comparative international experience would be an advantage.
• Good analytical skills and knowledge of Ukrainian and international biosafety and biosecurity standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to relate easily and openly with players in this field; self-motivation.
• Good communication skills, good drafting ability to produce documents that are clear, concise and comprehensible to public officials and a wider public audience.
• Ability to work with office information technology, including word processing, graphics software, and the Internet.
• A good understanding of the English language (reading, speaking), as well as professional fluency in the Ukrainian language.
• 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 a team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background:

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is actively involved in supporting its participating States in the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery, upon request.

In Ukraine, the OSCE supports Government’s efforts to prevent non-State actors from acquiring WMD in line with UNSCR 1540, the CWC, and the BWC. Since 2018, the OSCE has been implementing projects in Ukraine with the aim to strengthen Ukraine’s Chemical and Biological safety and security.

Through its Chemical safety and security projects, the OSCE has supported strengthening of Ukraine’s legislative and regulatory framework in the field of chemical safety and security, as well as border controls over the cross-boundary movement of controlled and toxic chemicals. The OSCE has also supported establishment of a National Reference Centre for identification of controlled and toxic chemicals, supplying cutting-edge laboratory analytical equipment, and developing documents on inter-agency co-operation. Furthermore, continued support was equally provided through a project aimed to strengthen Ukraine’s biological safety and security by development of a specialized comprehensive training course and learning management system, as well as establishment of a multimedia classroom. The OSCE has likewise worked with national and international experts on harmonization of Ukrainian legislation on biosafety and biosecurity with international standards by developing the draft law on biosafety and biosecurity with relevant bylaws.

Objective of Assignment:

The OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre now enters a second stage of support to Ukraine in the field of biological safety and security and therefore requires services of national experts, who can substantially contribute by being a biological safety and security subject-matter experts, as well as being able to support coordination with the local authorities throughout the implementation phases of the project activities.

Duration of Assignment: The duration of the consultancies will depend on specific activity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The selected experts will be placed on a Roster of Experts, and when selected for a concrete assignment, will work under the supervision of a Project Manager from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC). The Experts are expected to assist with:

1. Providing support to project management on planning and execution of the project’s activities;
2. Communicating with responsible representatives of the involved governmental institutions in order to ensure their timely involvement and acceptance of the projects activities and results;
3. Participating in organizing and scheduling of working meetings with national authorities as required for the implementation of the projects, especially during the initial assessment stages;
4. Co-ordinating and facilitating regular communication between beneficiaries and experts, as might be required;
5. Participating in an assessment of biological safety and security in Ukraine, and current needs of national authorities;
6. Support drafting of a technical ToR and selection of national and international subject matter experts, as might be required;
7. Drafting of technical reports, including technical assessments and gap analysis;
8. Participating in organizing and conducting national and international workshops, seminars and other project-related events;
9. Coordinate and support of trainers from various Ukrainian life sciences institutions who will be able to disseminate knowledge on biosafety, biosecurity and bioethics principles, best laboratory practices, techniques and methods for bio-risk management in the laboratories;
10. Regularly inform the project management about the development of project activities, including any possible delays and perceived obstacles, and make recommendations.

Deliverables:

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Forum for Security Co-operation, please see: https://www.osce.org/forum-for-security-cooperation

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level University degree / training in the field of biology, medicine, public health, veterinary medicine, broader CBRN security or similar;
• Proven practical experience in dealing with biosafety and biosecurity issues in Ukraine; good general knowledge of the Ukrainian public management issues; some comparative international experience would be an advantage;
• Good analytical skills and knowledge of Ukrainian and international biosafety and biosecurity standards;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to relate easily and openly with players in this field; self-motivation;
• Good communication skills, good drafting ability to produce documents that are clear, concise and comprehendible to public officials and a wider public audience;
• Ability to work with office information technology, including word processing, graphics software, and the Internet.
• A good understanding of English language (reading, speaking), as well as professional fluency in Ukrainian language;
• 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;

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: SEC000634
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Level: Professional
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: Roster Call
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Sep 25, 2024
• Closing Date: Oct 7, 2024
• Employee Status: Short-Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: vacancies.osce.org