Deadline: 31 March 2014
Open to: candidates with five years of work experience on issues related to democracy and human rights, precisely youth political participation
Remuneration: will be commensurate with the years of experience of applicants
Description
ODIHR recently began implementing the project “Promoting and increasing youth political participation and civic engagement in the OSCE region” that will build on the OSCE’s commitments and on-going OSCE national and regional engagement with youth organisations. These organizations include the Polish Young Leaders Association, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) Democracy School in Georgia, the School of Young Political Leaders of the Eastern Partnership countries, the European Students’ Forum, and the Tunisian School of Politics. Through this project, ODIHR aims to organise two regional events (youth forums – the first one to be held in Warsaw) in the field of youth empowerment, political participation and civic engagement, providing a forum for exchanging good practices and experiences for youth in the OSCE region.
ODIHR will contract an expert consultant to develop a discussion paper, from 5 to 8 pages each, analysing the evolution of youth political participation in the OSCE region. The paper will serve as food for thought for the youth forums, setting the tone for the discussions. The paper will be practical and user friendly so that an open and interesting discussion can arise from them. In an effort to cover the whole spectrum of youth political participation – from the most informal mechanisms to the institutionalized ones, the organization will define three categories, which will form the substance of the research paper.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The objective of the research papers is to prepare Youth Forum participants and set the tone for the Youth Forums in order for participants to engage in fruitful discussions leading to concrete recommendations. The expected outcomes on preparing the research paper are:
- Contextualize the issues that will be discussed at the Youth Forums;
- Enable the participants to better define the challenges they face, exchange opinions, connect with each other, and come up with possible directions and solutions in an interactive manner;
- Contribute to creating a process rather than some isolated events, a process that will allow participants to be better prepared, which will ultimately lead to better recommendations and sustainability.
Under the supervision of ODIHR’s Chief of Democratic Governance and Gender Unit (DGGU), the consultant will:
- Prepare a discussion paper addressing the category of Governance;
- Participate in an online discussion with Youth Forum participants on the research paper. The research papers will be uploaded to a closed online forum moderated by ODIHR where participants will be asked to comment on and provide input into the discussion paper. Include and consolidate these comments from Youth Forum participants into the discussion paper ahead of the youth forums;
- Participate in at least one youth forum organized by ODIHR;
- Support ODIHR staff in preparing and finalizing recommendations.
Eligibility
- University degree in political science, human rights, sociology or a related field in an asset;
- Five years of experience as an expert/practitioner/researcher/civil servant or equivalent working on issues related to democracy and human rights and more specifically on youth political participation;
- Ability to research and analyse complex matters related to youth political participation, democracy and human rights as well as to present them in an audience-appropriate and user-friendly manner;
- Involved and experienced in the issues of political participation in one or several of the areas of; Voice, Influence and Governance;
- Experience of working through a gender mainstreamed approach on issues related to democracy and human rights;
- Knowledge of international and OSCE democratic governance standards and principles;
- Excellent knowledge of English; working knowledge in Russian is an asset;
- Excellent writing and presentation skills;
- Microsoft Office proficiency (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
- Flexibility, ability to work under minimum supervision and deliver against tight deadlines;
- Gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
Remuneration
Remuneration will be commensurate with the years of experience of applicants, based pro rata per working day subject to the provision of a monthly time-sheet and an invoice to ODIHR.
Application
Please note that employment is subject to availability of funds. Please send the following to recruit@odihr.pl quoting the VN post title: 1) a cover letter stating how you could contribute to this assignment, and 2) your CV.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Find the official call HERE.
