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, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counterterrorism, and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States (pS) enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the Field Operations (FOs), and, as appropriate, to other OSCE institutions and bodies. The Office of Internal Oversight (OIO) is part of the OSCE Secretariat and is responsible for planning and delivering internal audits, investigations, and independent evaluations of the Organization’s activities. The work of OIO assures the adequacy of governance, risk management, and internal control, ensures compliance with the Organization’s internal control framework, and enhances performance and the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. The Evaluation Unit of OIO conducts independent evaluations, contributes to organizational learning, and helps ensure the quality and relevance of the OSCE’s work.

As part of its annual work plan, the OIO is launching an Independent Evaluation of the OSCE’s Work on Border Management. The OSCE’s work on border management is guided by the 2005 Border Security and Management Concept and various OSCE Ministerial Council Decisions (MCDs) that provide the framework for co-operation among OSCE pS and for the contributions of the OSCE. OSCE’s border management related work aims to support pS and Partners for Co-operation to cooperate and promote open yet secure borders that facilitate legitimate cross-border movement of people, goods, services, and investments, while addressing security challenges such as terrorism, transnational organized crime, illegal migration, and trafficking, and ensuring the protection of human rights.

OSCE activities in this area have included, inter alia, strengthening cooperation and coordination among pS, supporting the harmonization of border management policies, and building the institutional and operational capacities of border agencies. Interventions have ranged from technical assistance, legislative support, and capacity-building to fostering cross-border cooperation through mechanisms such as training activities, joint patrols, risk assessment, early warning groups, and regional dialogue platforms. Implementation has involved multiple OSCE stakeholders within the Secretariat (notably the Trans National Treats/Border Security and Management Unit, The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and the Conflict Prevention Centre), the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and a range of FOs in Central Asia, South-Eastern Europe, and Eastern Europe.

Geographically, the OSCE’s border management work covers the entire OSCE region, with significant activity in Central Asia, particularly through the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and national capacity-building projects, as well as in other pS such as Kyrgyzstan and North Macedonia. The OSCE also works in partnership with other international actors, including FRONTEX, INTERPOL, IOM, UNCCT and UNODC.

This evaluation is the first independent, organization-wide assessment of OSCE’s thematic work on border management. Its aims to enhance accountability for results, foster institutional learning, and 3) inform strategic decision-making.

Objective of Assignment:

The evaluation has the following three objectives:

1. Enhance accountability for results, by assessing OSCE’s performance over the last +/- 12 years to support pS in managing open but secure borders; This includes an assessment of how the OSCE has implemented its mandate on border management and with what results, including the incorporation of gender equality in line with the 2003 OSCE Gender Action Plan. The accountability purpose is underlined by the fact that, until now, no independent evaluation of OSCE-wide thematic work on border management has been conducted (apart from a 2017 evaluation on the Border Management Staff College).

2. To promote organizational learning, by providing insights in factors that support or hinder the achievement of results, and the effectiveness and efficiency of OSCE’s work on border management;
   This includes highlighting good practices and lessons learned related to OSCE’s border management work. Special attention will be paid to the role of internal and external coordination and collaboration, needs and risk assessment approaches and other factors driving effectiveness and efficiency of OSCEs work in this area.

3. To inform decision-making, by offering actionable, strategic and operational, recommendations that can support future effectiveness, efficiency and impact of OSCE’s border management work.
   This includes providing insights in OSCE’s added value and comparative advantage that can support decision-making on the future direction of OSCE’s work on border management, as well as actionable recommendations that can improve OSCE’s effectiveness and efficiency in times of increasing budget constraints.

   The initial mapping of OSCE interventions in the area of border management revealed that the geographical coverage spans the entire OSCE region, with a particularly extensive portfolio of activities in Central Asia. The evaluation framework and focus are defined in its Terms of Reference, which is currently being finalized, and can be further refined during subsequent phases of the evaluation. The final output of this evaluation will be a report presenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The document will identify lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations at the operational level as well as at the strategic level. The evaluation core target groups are OSCE program managers and higher staff categories that are involved in program and project level decision-making and design and OSCE pS (accountability for results). Other actors, such as PfC and civil society organizations, might also benefit from the evaluation.

   Management of the Evaluation

   The evaluation is managed by a Senior Evaluator at the OIO, who also acts as the evaluation Team Leader. Other members of the evaluation team are the Senior Expert Consultant – Border Management, Evaluation (SSA), and an Evaluation Officer at the OIO. The Head of Evaluation, along with the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG), has a quality assurance role in the evaluation process.
   

Duration of Assignment:

The duration of this SSA contract is estimated at 50 working days between November 2025 and March 2026. However, this is a results-based assignment where payments are linked to the submissions and approvals of key deliverables (as outlined below).

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The selected Senior Expert Consultant – Border Management will be expected to contribute to/finalize the following deliverables, under the supervision and guidance of the evaluation Team Leader:

1. To substantively contribute to the Inception Report (IR, Deliverable 1), in collaboration with other team members. This includes supporting the development of the evaluation approach and methodology, including the Evaluation Matrix; and assisting in the preparation of data collection protocols and timelines. The consultant will also contribute to the IR’s in-depth review of the OSCE’s border management work - drawing on desk research, portfolio analysis, interviews with staff from relevant OSCE executive structures and other stakeholders - and to the reconstruction of the Theory of Change. Additionally, the consultant will help to develop the detailed evaluation work plan, including key steps and milestones;

2. To conduct data collection and analysis, including up to three field visits as part of the evaluation process. Following each visit, the consultant will prepare a brief and concise Field Visit Reports summarizing observations and findings. These reports (Deliverable 2) will be based on data collected during the field visits and should not exceed 5 pages each;

3. To substantively contribute to the Evaluation Report, Executive Summary and PowerPoint Presentation Slides (Deliverable 3), in close collaboration with the evaluation team. The evaluation Report (maximum 40 pages, excluding annexes) will incorporate feedback from the OIO, the ERG, and relevant OSCE staff. It will present the main evaluation findings (linked to the Evaluation Questions), conclusions and recommendations for future work, following a predefined report template and structure. Conclusions must be based on findings and substantiated by evidence and result in actionable recommendations in line with relevant UNEG quality criteria. A separate Executive Summary of the report will serve as a stand-alone document. The consultant will also support the preparation of the PowerPoint presentation, which will be based on the report and highlight evaluation findings and draft recommendations for discussion with the ERG.
   

Deliverables:

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office of Internal Oversight, Evaluation Unit, please see: https://www.osce.org/oio/evaluation

Necessary Qualifications:

• A second-level (Masters), or similar higher-level university degree, in law enforcement, political science, social science, international relations, security, public policy, law or related field(s) from an accredited university;

• A minimum of 7 years of documented and relevant professional experience in border management, security sector reform, or related areas, - incl. analytical assessments, research, monitoring and evaluation, policy/strategy advice and project/programme management - in the context of international organization, an NGO, governmental department or an academic institution;

• Experience with/knowledge of international and/or regional organizations - especially those dealing with border management;

• Documented experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis;

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

• Excellent report writing skills and the ability to convey complex information in a logical, clear and concise manner.

• Professional fluency in English (written and verbal);

• Professional experience in Central Asia and familiarity with one or more of the region's languages are considered assets.

• 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. Ability to use relevant software and applications for data analysis.

  To respect the principle of independence and impartiality, the external expert should not have been involved in the design or implementation of OSCE’s work on border management related activities.

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.

Interested candidates should provide in their cover letter examples of their previous experience with similar assignments, especially in relation to border management related capacity building activities, international cross-border cooperation and the human rights compliance of border management practices and policies.

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.