Back Independent Consultant to support youth initiatives in response to a “Capacity Building Workshop on Fostering Inclusion and Social Cohesion” for the Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine project (SSA)

Background:

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is seeking an experienced Coach to support youth as they design and implement context-specific activities in follow up to Youth for Inclusion capacity building workshops on fostering inclusion and social cohesion.

The unprovoked military attack by the Russian Federation on Ukraine is arguably the most serious security and humanitarian crisis that the OSCE region has faced in decades. Responding to the resulting, ODIHR has adapted the activities within its Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine project in order to address the urgent human dimension challenges brought by the on-going conflict and introduces new activities tailored to the current needs of Ukrainian citizens in the human dimension of security. As part of these activities to support stakeholders in and around Ukraine, ODIHR will implement capacity building workshops for youth in Poland to promote mutual respect and understanding in order to foster inclusion and social cohesion.

Young people face particular difficulties as a result of conflict such as displacement, the loss of education and employment opportunities as well as increased vulnerability to intolerance and identity-based hate. In parallel, youth play a critical role in envisaging and contributing to building equal, inclusive and cohesive societies free from all forms of intolerance and discrimination; however, their important role is often marginalized in such efforts.

It is against this background that we are also witnessing, across the OSCE region and beyond, an increase in countless permutations of “us and “them” narratives and structures as groups define themselves ever more narrowly in contrast to one another. This splintering into divergent interest groups has already contributed in large part to the weakening of social cohesion and decreasing society’s resilience to adapt to large fluctuations and shifts in population demographics due to fear and distrust among and between individuals and groups, reducing individual and community capacity to forge solidarity and unity out of diversity.

With this in mind, ODIHR, in cooperation with municipal authorities, will organize a series of workshops in selected cities across Poland to build the capacity of youth from host communities and from Ukrainian refugee populations (including third country nationals, Roma and Sinti youth*, etc) to promote mutual respect and understanding and foster equal, inclusive and cohesive societies grounded in a common understanding of a shared human identity at a time of rapid and potentially unsettling demographic change.

It is hoped that the youth who have been trained will be strengthened in their commitment to tolerance, non-discrimination and dialogue, better able to address intolerance and discrimination in their communities, and equipped to contribute in the medium- and longer-term efforts to build more tolerant, equal and inclusive communities in Poland. A final conference will be held in Lublin, the 2023 European Youth Capital, in December 2023 where the youth will have an opportunity to showcase their achievements, take stock of lessons learned, share good and promising practices, and plan next steps. This activity should be seen as the starting point of a wider effort to expand conversations, coalitions and networks among young people towards inclusive and cohesive societies in the OSCE region.

These activities mainstream gender,and take special consideration to ensure participation of people with disabilities and people from vulnerable communities, including Roma and Sinti.

Objective of the assignment:

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide guidance and instruction for approximately 20 youth from each city (Lublin, Gdańsk, Rzeszów and Wrocław (TBD). The leadership coach will support youth as they design and implement context-specific activities, including through forming coalitions or networks, awareness raising activities, dialogues etc., to foster tolerance and inclusion in their local communities in follow up to the capacity building Youth for Inclusion workshops on fostering inclusion and social cohesion.

Duration of the assignment:

The Consultant is expected to work up to 39 working days between May-December 2023.

Location:

Home-based, travel to Rzeszów and Wrocław (TBD) for the workshops and travel to Lublin for the final conference.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Head of Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department (TND), and in close collaboration with TND’s Assistant Project Officer, the selected consultant will be responsible for:

Necessary Qualifications:

*For the purposes of this activity, “youth” refers to persons aged between 18 and 30.

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