Local Expert election participation of the voters with disabilities

Background:
The OSCE Presence in Albania (the Presence), in line with its mandate, through its project “Enhancing electoral legislation and administration in Albania (Phase III)” is providing targeted support to Albanian institutions to strengthen electoral processes and enhance electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 local elections.
While progress has been made in electoral management over the last years, the OSCE/ODIHR Final Report on 2025 parliamentary elections raised concerns on the participation of people with disabilities. The 2025 Report noted that although the CEC made efforts to improve accessibility at voting centres for persons with disabilities, the election day observers reported accessibility problems in many places.
According to the CEC, in the last parliamentary elections there were approximately 26,000 registered voters with disabilities. By law, voters must vote in person at voting centres, as there are no provisions for homebound voting or other special voting arrangements. Persons with disabilities, unable to vote independently, could request assistance from a family member or another voter in the voting centre. To improve accessibility of polling sites, the CEC instructed second-level commissions to install ramps, provide signage, and barrier-free access, and trained electoral commissioners on assisting voters with disabilities. Despite these efforts, on election day ODIHR observers have reported that many voting centres still lacked adequate access for persons with disabilities.
Additionally, CEC competences to address accessibility issues are shared with other institutions such as municipalities which are in charge of the physical conditions of the voting centers and the handling of the information regarding number of voters with disabilities in their respective voter lists.
In the 2025 Report ODIHR recommended “When determining the location of voting centres, election authorities and municipalities should take proactive measures to ensure accessibility to and within the voting centres for persons with disabilities.”
To improve participation of voters with disabilities and contribute towards addressing ODIHR recommendation, the Presence will support the CEC in assessing accessibility barriers throughout the electoral process of voters with disabilities. The assessment will identify existing barriers, good practices and gaps, and propose concrete, feasible and actionable measures to improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of the electoral process for persons with disabilities. Particular attention will be given to accessibility-related responsibilities and measures that can be implemented by relevant central authorities and municipalities.

Objective of Assignment:
The objective of this SSA consultancy is to engage the services of an experienced local expert to conduct a comprehensive review of accessibility of voting centers and procedures to evaluate physical, procedural and informational accessibility. The assessment will examine compliance with national legislation and OSCE/ODIHR findings and propose concrete measures to enhance inclusiveness. The activity will result in one detailed assessment report which will inform and guide policies to address shortcomings identified. Findings will be shared during a stakeholder presentation with officials of municipalities in charge of accessibility of voting centers, civil society and disability organizations to promote institutional follow-up.

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy has been envisaged to be performed during a period of 1 month.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
1. One assessment methodology and detailed workplan, including assessment criteria/tools for physical, procedural and informational accessibility, submitted to and agreed with the OSCE Presence.
2. Desk research mapping of the relevant national legal/institutional framework, including applicable legislation, institutional responsibilities and relevant OSCE/ODIHR findings and recommendations. Consultations conducted with relevant representatives of the CEC, People's Advocate, Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, selected municipalities, and CSOs/organizations of persons with disabilities, with key findings documented and reflected in the assessment.
3. One comprehensive final assessment report incorporating the desk review, field assessment, stakeholder consultations, findings, good practices, conclusions and actionable recommendations. Final assessment report revised, where appropriate, following factual comments and inputs received following review by the OSCE Presence.
4. One stakeholder presentation/discussion of the assessment findings and recommendations with relevant public institutions, municipalities, civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities, aimed at promoting institutional ownership and follow-up.

Deliverables:
- Assessment methodology and workplan
- Produce a first draft report incorporating findings legal and institutional review and consultations

- Finalization of the assessment
- Stakeholder presentation

Necessary Qualifications:

1. Education

• University degree in law, human rights law, public administration, social sciences, social policy, or other related field.
  2. Professional Experience
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities, human rights, equality and non-discrimination, electoral processes, election administration, election monitoring, public administration, or related fields.
• Experience working with or consulting on election-related matters and working with organizations of persons with disabilities is required.
• Experience in conducting research, assessments, fieldwork and stakeholder consultations, including with public institutions and civil society organizations.
• Experience in analysing legislation, policies, institutional practices and administrative procedures and translating findings into concrete recommendations.
• Experience in preparing analytical reports, assessments or studies for public institutions, international organizations, civil society organizations or other relevant stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational and report-writing skills, with demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality outputs within agreed deadlines.
  3. Desirable Requirements
• Familiarity with the work of the Central Election Commission and the role of municipalities in supporting accessible voting arrangements.
• Previous experience conducting accessibility audits or assessments of public facilities, including voting centres, public buildings or other facilities providing public services.
• Previous experience working with an international organization or development partner.

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.