Back International Expert on K9 SOP

Background:

The impact of uncontrolled proliferation and illegal possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), ammunition and explosives continue to constitute a major threat to public safety, social and economic development in Albania. Poorly controlled and illegal SALW, ammunition and explosives sustain criminal elements and organized crime, by enabling violence and insecurity. All of these aspects have very negative effects on security and confidence of the general public – thus undermining the law enforcement measures of the Albanian authorities in the country and the region.
Therefore, the project “Assisting the national authorities of the Republic of Albania to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)” aims to support the Republic of Albania’s efforts to implement OSCE commitments in the field of preventing and combating SALW proliferation, thus contributing to regional security and stability in the country.
This project will contribute to one of main priority areas as identified by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania and the Albanian State Police by supporting the development of an Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for the use of K9 capacity which will provide guidance to the MoI personnel on how to manage, maintain, educate, qualify, and deploy K9 capacity in a standardized and unified way.
In order to achieve this project objective the PIT in close consultations with Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albanian and the Albanian State Police will support the establishment and deliberations of a designated working group. This group will be tasked to develop the SOP as well as develop a K9 Master Plan for the modernization of the capability, which will map, sequence and prioritize each K9 capacity in need of support and actions to be undertaken over the period of next 3 to 5 years. Pursuant to these two documents the WG with the task to develop a Training Manual on the training and the deployment of K9 capacity in detecting SALW pursuant to the newly promulgated SOP for the use of K9 capacity. The TM will provide uniformed application, interpretation, and guidance to the MoI and ASP personnel about the proper and timely deployment of K9 in order to achieve the optimal success in detection of SALW, ammunition and explosives.

Therefore, the Project is now recruiting one international expert to provide guidance, expert advice, and support the Working Group in the process of developing SOP and the K9 Master Plan, as well as the Training Manual, in line with international standards and good practices, while liaising with the local expert.

Objective of Assignment:

Develop a Zero Draft SOP for the management, performance, education, and maintenance of K9 capacity that will advance the current capacities and develop new capabilities (including but not limited to professional development, management, maintenance, education, training, deployment etc.), with a specific focus on the capacity development in detecting and investigating SALW, ammunition and explosives related cases.

Develop a Zero Draft of a K9 Master plan for the modernization of the capability, which will map, sequence and prioritize each K9 segment of capacity in need of support, and actions to be undertaken by the project and other bilateral partners. Consultant will also provide guidance to the Working Group in the process of developing and finalizing the Master Plan.

Pursuant to the successful completion of the development of an SOP and the Master Plan consultant will provide support to the WG with the task to develop a Training Manual on the training and the deployment of K9 capacity in detecting SALW pursuant to the newly promulgated SOP for the use of K9 capacity. The Training Manual will provide uniformed application, interpretation, and guidance to MoI and ASP personnel about the proper selection, training, management, and timely deployment of K9 units in order to achieve the optimal success in detection of SALW, ammunition and explosives.

Duration of Assignment:
The expert shall be working from 03 October 2022 to 15 May 2023 the number of days during this period to be decided.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under direct supervision of the National Project Officer, the international expert is expected to:
 Analyse the current legal framework, K9 operational plans, policies and procedures and identify existing or emerging K9 units' management and performance gaps;
 In line with international standards and good practices develop a zero draft SOP on K9 unit management, performance, education, and maintenance;
 Provide advice and guidance to the working group members in the process of SOP localisation, adaptation and finalization ensuring its full compliance with international standards and practice;
 In line with international standards and good practices develop a zero draft Master Plan on improving the existing capacity and capability of the K9 unit with an emphasis of sustainability of project actions and national ownership of assistance provided well after the project is completed;
 Provide advice and guidance to working group in the process of finalizing and adopting the Master plan;
 Provide advice, examples and viable solutions to strategic policy issues that might arise in the process of SOP and Master plan finalization and adaptation in line with the international best practices;
 Participate remotely in at least four meetings with the Working Group and/or relevant Ministry of Interior personnel and departments;
 Participate in several meetings in person/online with the national working group and at least at one regional working groups;
 Work closely with the national expert on the K9 SOP and Master Plan development thus ensuring their due localisation, respect of local legislation, practices and institutional framework;
 Produce a Zero Draft of a Training Manual on the due application of the SOP, thus ensuring provision of uniformed application, interpretation, and provide advice and guidance to the MoI and ASP personnel about the proper selection, training, management, and timely deployment of K9 in order to achieve the optimal success in detection of SALW, ammunition and explosives.
 Draft the Training Manual (TM) in line with the international requirements for maintenance, education and handling of K9 – methodology and technical requirements, theoretical and practical training courses and provide practical inputs, solutions and examples on how the international best practices contained in the draft could be implemented.
 Present and prioritise draft provisions of the TM related to the international standards and practice based on MoSCoW method (must- haves; should-haves; could-haves and will not have at this time)
 Provide assistance in delivering K9 training course (theoretical/practical part) pursuant to the finalized and adopted TM
 Be in close communication with the working group members as appropriate, report progress to SALW project implementation team throughout the assignment and conduct continuously online meetings or in person in Albania with all project parties;
 Prepare and deliver a monthly progress reports to be submitted as per requested project implementation team template.
 Any other relevant duties that might be assigned
The international consultant will work home – based.

Deliverables:

No. Deliverable Indicator
1. Deliver a Zero Draft SOP for the use of K9 capacity in line with international standards and good practices This deliverable will be provided by the consultant in up to 50 pages, single spacing, font 12 Times new Roman
2. Finalize the Zero draft of the SOP for the use of K9 capacity and submission of the draft of the K9 Master Plan by providing the Opinion on the opportunities and challenges in the implementation of both documents This deliverable will be provided by the consultant in up to 70 pages, single spacing, font 12 Times new Roman
3. Deliver a Zero Draft Master Plan, In line with international standards and good practices, to be delivered to the Working Group, consultant shall provide a written initial document that would be further developed and localized by the Working Group This deliverable will be provided by the consultant in up to 20 pages, single spacing, font 12 Times new Roman
4. Review the final draft of the SOP and Master Plan localized and endoresed by the Working Group and provide written opinion on how the proposed document will ensure that the assistance and advice envisaged by the Master Plan will ensure institutionalization of new capability and change management. This deliverable will be provided by the consultant in up to 5 pages, single spacing, font 12 Times new Roman
5. Deliver a Zero Draft of a Training Manual on the due application of the SoP, in line with the international requirements for maintenance, education and handling of K9 – methodology and technical requirements, theoretical and practical training courses and provide practical inputs, solutions and examples on how the international best practices contained in the draft could be implemented, thus ensuring provision of uniformed application, interpretation, and guidance to the MoI and ASP personnel about the proper selection, training, management, and timely deployment of K9.
This deliverable will be provided by the consultant in up to 70 pages, single spacing, font 12 Times new Roman
6 Provide assistance in delivering K9 Training course (theoretical/ practical part) pursuant to the finalised and adopted TM
This deliverable will be provided by the consultant in supporting 1 day of Training Courses to be delivered to the participants and provide the national consultant guidance on delivering the 10 days of Training courses

Necessary Qualifications:

 Advanced university degree in security or/and defence studies or university degree in social sciences.
 Demonstrated experience in drafting K9 rules and regulation, strategic or tactical documents;
 A minimum of four years working experience in drafting strategic documents in the area of Law Enforcement;
 A minimum of four years’ experience in developing and drafting comprehensive materials and documentations, coordinating inputs from different experts and working groups;
 Demonstrated experience in developing Training Manuals and delivery of courses
 Research, analytical and organizational skills;
 Ability to work and deliver under tight deadlines, while coordinating inputs from various stakeholders ;
 Excellent spoken and written legal English;
 Excellent presentation skills and computer literate;
 Good interpersonal and communication skills.

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