Background:
The OSCE’s commitment to promote the role and inclusion of youth in its peace and security agenda is part of its founding document, the Helsinki Final Act, and it has been strengthened through subsequent OSCE decisions. In 2025, the OSCE will celebrate its 50th anniversary with Finland holding the Chairpersonship-in-Office of the Organization. With youth engagement as one of Finland’s key priorities, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro (the Mission) intends to redouble its efforts in promoting meaningful inclusion of young men and women in decision-making processes.
The Mission’s Youth UB project “Enabling environment for meaningful youth participation in decision making and peacebuilding processes” is dedicated to strengthening the capacities of youth and those working with and for youth to achieve meaningful youth participation and successful implementation of youth policy at the national and local level, and create an enabling environment for gender balanced youth entrepreneurship.
This will be achieved through a variety of project activities aiming at raising awareness, improving knowledge, and building the capacities of different actors, at the national and local level. All activities will be implemented in accordance with the Law on Youth, Youth Strategy (2023-2027), Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy (2025-2027) and local youth action plans (2025-2027).
The Mission will implement the project in close co-operation with the Regional Youth Co-operation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office in Montenegro, Parliament of Montenegro, Ministry of Sports and Youth, local self-governments, and NGOs working with and for youth. It will contribute to enhancing an environment in which the voices of young men and women will be heard and acted upon.
Objective of Assignment:
The overall objective of this Call is to create a Roster of Local Consultants on Youth Affairs experienced in conceptualizing, developing, delivering and evaluating capacity development programmes, tools, knowledge products and policies targeting youth and those working with and for them, applying youth sensitive approach in needs analysis, policy making, reporting, definition of services and creation of organizational/institutional structures for the Mission’s partners.
Duration of Assignment:
The duration of the consultancies in the field of youth affairs will depend on the specific projects/activities.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the relevant Programme Manager, the Local Consultant on Youth Affairs will conduct one or multiple tasks from the following list:
1. Contributing to the development and drafting of new tools and knowledge products (guides, handbooks, manuals, factsheets, newsletters, etc.) on youth issues. This assignment might include the conceptualization of research, including the development of research methods and tools, data collection and analysis;
2. Conceptualizing, developing, delivering and evaluating online, face-to-face (offline) or hybrid capacity development programmes (including trainings, workshops, coaching, mentoring, facilitating, hands-on assistance), targeting one or multiple target groups, including youth in general, young entrepreneurs, public officers, representatives of NGOs and regional/international entities, etc;
3. Contributing to institutional processes in Montenegro, by conducting youth assessments/audits and supporting the development of strategies, action plans, roadmaps, youth-responsive budgets or other policies aiming at meaningful youth participation in decision-making and peacebuilding processes.
4. Contributing with knowledge, expertise and tools to diverse programmes/activities which demand expert level support when mainstreaming a youth perspective into democratic governance, inclusion and political participation, law and policy making, and overall developments related to democratic institutions, including evaluation of the current youth-mainstreaming work of the Mission.
Necessary Qualifications:
University degree in political sciences, social sciences or any other relevant field. A post-graduate degree or certification will be considered an advantage; A minimum of 4 to 6 years of relevant experience in the field of youth development, with demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating youth-focused projects, programmes, policies, and capacity-building initiatives. We are looking for experts with diverse backgrounds and levels of specialization in areas such as reconciliation, peacebuilding, regional co-operation, intercultural learning, youth inclusion, meaningful youth participation, youth empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, gender equality, and related fields. Experience may include research, policy development, advocacy, direct engagement with youth, or support to youth-serving organizations. Professionals with varied expertise in these areas are encouraged to apply; Experience in applying innovative approaches to engage young women and men and developing sustainable programmes/activities will be considered an advantage; Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; Excellent negotiation, organizational and co-ordination skills; Ability to work flexibly, under pressure, and within limited deadlines; Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; Very good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in teams and with groups composed of individuals of different cultural and political backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity; Previous experience in working with international and regional organizations would be considered as an asset.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
Issued by: OSCE Mission to Montenegro Requisition ID: MNG000022 Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant Grade: NP2 Job Level: Professional Job Type: Consultant Number of posts: Multiple Location: MNG - OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Podgorica Issue Date: Mar 10, 2025 Closing Date: Mar 31, 2025 Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent) Job Field: Democratization