Roster Call - Support to the establishment of API Systems in the OSCE area

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counterterrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE’s border security and management activities are an integral part of the Organization’s efforts in addressing transnational threats in the OSCE area. Within the OSCE Secretariat, the Transnational Threats Department/Border Security and Management Unit (TNTD/BSMU) is the focal point for the OSCE’s border security and management related activities. TNTD/BSMU contributes to the implementation of the OSCE's activities in addressing cross-border, transnational threats to international security by providing support to the Chairperson-in-Office, the Secretary General and the participating States on border security and management aspects and by enhancing co-ordination within the OSCE on related issues.

TNTD/BSMU delivers impactful capacity- and institution-building projects to law enforcement partners in participating States and Partners for Co-operation in response to concretely defined needs. BSMU provides law enforcement authorities with the necessary support to address some of the most challenging cross-border threats encountered today and in the near future and to uphold international standards and compliance with human rights obligations.

The TNTD/BSMU’s portfolio includes projects on identification of forged documents and impostors, biometrics, countering illicit trafficking of cultural property, establishing API systems, airport security, detection of suspected FTFs, and cross-border crimes at the border crossing points.

Activities on these topics may include awareness raising workshops, curriculum-development and capacity-building training, conferences, needs assessment missions and similar initiatives that bring together experts and relevant authorities on national, regional or international levels.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat.

Objective of Assignment:

The objective of this roster call is to establish a list of qualified candidates with a range of skills and expertise in establishing API systems.

This may entail providing:

• Advice on developing national API roadmaps and awareness initiatives;
• Legal support and guidance to national authorities in the development of a national legal framework, in line with international legal requirements and standards (UNSC resolutions, ICAO provisions, IATA guidelines);
• Technical and methodological expertise at the operational level, including identifying tasks and responsibilities of national agencies dealing with passenger data and supporting the establishment of national targeting centers;
• Advice on building the required ICT infrastructures, including IT solutions and technical equipment ensuring interoperability and connectivity;
• Advice on technical aspects of configuring communication channels and data transmission methods between national authorities and the transport industry.

Once admitted to the roster, members will be considered for upcoming consultancy opportunities. Short-listed members will be contacted regarding specific consultancies and requested to confirm their interest and availability. The final selection among short-listed candidates may involve interviews and a written test.

Duration of Assignment:

This is a roster call. Duration of the assignment depends on the tasks and deliverables assigned.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The candidates admitted to the roster will be able to deliver expertise, mentoring and training on API for law enforcement authorities. This will include conducting needs assessment analysis, providing advice on methodological approaches to API systems, providing legal support to national authorities in developing API legislation, identifying technical solutions for ICT infrastructures, connectivity with airlines and interoperability. It may also include developing and delivering capacity-building training activities.

The OSCE is looking for professionals with demonstrated and in-depth expertise in one or more of these thematic areas to perform tasks of various nature within the programmatic scope of TNTD/BSMU. For more detailed information on the TNTD/BSMU mandate and thematic portfolios, please see: https://www.osce.org/secretariat/borders.

The expert might be hired in order to cover several tasks including, but not limited to: needs assessments, capacity-building development and delivering of training activities involving diverse stakeholders, policy advice, report writing, strategic communication, project design, development of national roadmaps, technical tools and guidelines, monitoring and evaluation. Assignment-specific tasks and responsibilities and the required level of expertise will be outlined in the terms of references shared with the candidates short-listed for a specific assignment.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Depending on the assignment, a university degree in a relevant field (law enforcement, international security, data science, law, or similar) or technical expertise gained through other types of education, training or professional experience gained with law enforcement, the military or security services;
• A minimum of 5 years of documented professional experience required in relation to developing API systems in a law enforcement setting and/or related thematic expertise, based on the assignment;

• Knowledge of analysis methodologies and tools and familiarity with the practical aspects of establishing an API system;

• Professional fluency in English with excellent writing skills; knowledge of Russian and/or other languages spoken in the OSCE area is an asset;

• Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Desirable qualifications:

• Professional work experience at the international level;
• Knowledge of international human rights standards applied to travel security contexts and ability to integrate these into the candidate’s own work;
• Geographical expertise in the OSCE area, in particular Central Asia, Eastern Europe and South-Eastern Europe, would be an asset.

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: SEC000265
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: multiple
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Aug 1, 2023
• Closing Date: Sep 14, 2023
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Rule of Law