International gender mainstreaming Consultant_(SSA)

Background:

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OSCE) is committed to supporting electoral institutions to exercise their mandate in compliance with international standards and good governance principles, and supporting the activities of these institutions towards the implementation of the 2025 European Union Election Observation Missions (EU EOM) recommendations. The Central Election Commission (CEC) plays a vital role as an independent body responsible for organizing electoral processes in Kosovo. Charged with upholding the integrity and transparency of elections, CEC engages in comprehensive planning, execution, and supervision of all electoral activities. The OSCE has been instrumental in supporting the CEC by providing technical and operational advice, along with planning, reporting, and co-ordination.

CEC as an independent body is responsible for administering elections and ensuring their integrity, inclusiveness, and transparency. In this context, promoting gender equality and strengthening women’s participation in electoral processes remains a key institutional priority. In 2018, the CEC adopted its Gender Action Plan (GAP) as a strategic framework to advance gender equality within the institution and across electoral processes. Since then, new developments, including the Kosovo Programme for Gender Equality and the gender component of the CEC Strategic Plan 2023–2026, require the revision and updating of the GAP to ensure alignment with current legal, policy, and institutional frameworks.

In its effort to increase gender equality in electoral process, in 2025, the OSCE organised five events in central and municipal levels with the aim to strengthen women’s participation in the electoral process both as voters and as part of the election processes. It brought together Election Management Bodies (EMBs), and key stakeholders, advocating for greater gender balance and the meaningful inclusion of women’s perspectives throughout the electoral process: before, during, and after voting. The participants included municipal assembly (MA) members and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media representatives, and Municipal Officers for Gender Equality (MOGEs). Through this support, the Mission reiterated its commitment to promoting non-discriminatory laws and policies, emphasizing the fundamental human right of women's participation in politics and the electoral process.

Within the framework of the ExB Election Activity 2.3 “Promoting gender equality and strengthening women’s participation in electoral processes” the OSCE Mission will support the review, update, and implementation of the CEC Gender Action Plan. This process will include consultative forums with relevant stakeholders at all levels, as well as integration of findings from a potential EMB gender audit (upon the request of the CEC, in co-operation with ODIHR).

To support this process, the OSCE will engage one international and one local consultant ensuring alignment with international standards, best practices, and Kosovo’s legal and policy frameworks on gender equality. The international consultant will lead the overall process, in close coordination with the CEC, with the support of the local consultant. The consultant will be responsible to develop the methodology, and draft and finalise the Gender Action Plan.

Objective of Assignment:

The objective of this assignment is to lead the review, update, and operationalization of the CEC GAP, ensuring alignment with international standards, good practices, and Kosovo’s applicable legal framework.

Duration of Assignment:

The Consultant will be hired for 48 working days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Lead the review and analysis of the existing Gender Action Plan (GAP), by conducting a comprehensive baseline assessment of the current GAP (2018), relevant international standards and good practices, in co-ordination with the Local Consultant.
2. In co-operation with the CEC, the Local Consultant and the OSCE Activity Manager, organize and facilitate consultative forums, by designing the consultative approach, tools, and methodology.
3. Lead the analsysis of inputs collected during the consultative, and aggreagate them to formulate key reccomendations and priorities. Ensure co-ordination with the CEC, Local Consultant, and the OSCE Activity Manager, as well as coherence, quality, and alignment with the objectives of the updated GAP troughout the assignment.

4. Lead the drafting of the updated GAP, including strategic objectives, indicators, implementation mechanisms, and monitoring framework, in coordination with the CEC, OSCE Activity Manager, while ensuring co-operation with the Local Consultant. In co-ordination wit the OSCE

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   Activity Manager, consult with relevant OSCE structures, including ODIHR, as required, to ensure alignment with international standards and good practices.

5. Support the validation and finalization of the updated GAP, by reviewing and integrating feedback from stakeholders, OSCE Mission and

   Structures, and the CEC, and by ensuring the document meets required technical quality and aligns with international standards.

6. In coordination with the Local Consultant, submit a final report summarising the consultancy assignment, in line with reporting standards and ensuring high quality of outputs.
   

Deliverables:

• Analytical summary highlighting gaps, progress, and key areas for revision and update - by 30 September 2026.
• At least two consultative forums conducted in person, with representatives of CEC, electoral stakeholders, civil society organisations, and relevant public institutions, with documented inputs (meeting minutes, participant lists, and key findings) - by 30 September 2026.
• Consolidated stakeholder input report summarizing key recommendations and priorities - by 16 November 2026.
• Draft GAP, including objectives, indicators, implementation mechanisms, and monitoring framework - by 30 November 2026.
• Final revised GAP, incorporating feedback received, and ready for CEC approval by 30 November 2026.
• Final Report submitted to the OSCE Project Manager, including a summary of all activities undertaken during the assignment and key recommendations, by 10 December 2026.
  

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in political science, social sciences, public policy, international relations, or a related field.Minimum seven years of relevant experience in governance, public institutions, or international development, with proven experience in leading strategic gender equality initiatives internationally, with at least three similar international assignments in advancing gender equality or developing Gender Action Plans, as well as drafting related strategic documents, policies, and implementation frameworks.Proven experience in designing, leading, and facilitating international-level workshops, awareness campaigns, and multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken); knowledge of Albanian or Serbian is an asset, but not mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience in leading stakeholder engagement and consultations at national and international levels, with strong focus on gender mainstreaming, inclusion of non-majority communities, and underrepresented groups.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with proven ability to coordinate international and local teams, work independently, and provide technical guidance to institutional partners.
  

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.

In order to apply for this position, you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under OSCE Careers- Jobs. 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 at Offline application form | OSCE Employment and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by email to: consultancy.omik@osce.org. In line with your qualifications please indicate a preference for 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 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.