Background:

Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of up to 180 working days per calendar year. Work location: home-based and field work. Travel within the OSCE region.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is an autonomous OSCE decision-making body that deals with military aspects of security. The FSC Support Unit co-ordinates and facilitates the OSCE’s role in the politico-military dimension. The primary task of the Unit is to provide expertise and support to the FSC. The Unit initiates, develops, implements technical assistance projects in the field of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA), including preventing and combating illicit trafficking in all aspects, as well as performs quality assurance and quality control of the implementing agencies (OSCE Field Operations, UN agencies, and commercial contractors). The amount of Unit’s workload, as well as the need for technical expertise under specific assistance projects, including those delegated for implementation to the Field Operations require relying on additional technical capacity hired through consultancy.

The extra-budgetary project no. 1102023 “In support of strengthening capacities of Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives in all its aspects” - implemented by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre / Forum for Security Co-operation Support Unit - aims to address challenges and risks related to illicit trafficking and misuse of weapons, ammunition, and explosives (WAE) in Ukraine.

The project co-operates with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the State Border Guards Service, the State Customs Service, and the Security Service of Ukraine.

Objective of Assignment:

The services of consultants are required to provide programmatic assistance to the project and support implementation of a wide range of its tasks and activities to assist Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating illicit trafficking of WAE.

Duration of Assignment:

Up to 180 days per calendar year.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The consultant's/expert's services will be engaged by the FSC Support Unit, within the following clusters of tasks that will be further specified in the additional Terms of Reference, including maximum number of days per task. The consultant/expert must submit a report each time a given task is completed and delivered.

Providing analysis, strategic and operational support (including needs/ feasibility assessments) and/or technical advisory on preventing and combating illicit trafficking in SALW, ammunition and explosives, inter alia, in the following thematic areas: (i) risk management, (ii) detection and seizure, (iii) investigation and tracing, including open-source intelligence (OSINT) cycle relevant to the thematic area for law enforcement actors, (iv) criminal procedures, (v) information management and exchanges.

Providing analysis, strategic and operational support (including needs/ feasibility assessments) and/or technical advisory in support of national capacity development to regulate, manage and co-ordinate specific aspects of preventing and combating illicit trafficking in SALW, ammunition and explosives, inter alia, in the following capability areas: (i) legal and regulatory framework, (ii) organizational framework, (iii) education / training framework, (iv) infrastructure and equipment, (vii) information and communication management, and (viii) security and safety aspects.

Providing analysis, strategic and operational support (including needs/ feasibility assessments) and/or technical advisory on preventing and combating illicit trafficking in SALW, ammunition and explosives, inter alia, in the following contexts: (i) supporting development of inter-agency co-ordination and co-operation resulting in developing strategic approaches, data-collection and analysis in prevention and combatting illicit trafficking in WAE in all its aspects, (ii) advise on the development of national strategies and action plan to combat illicit WAE trafficking, (iii) border security and management, (iv) promoting gender equality, (v) advocacy and awareness raising.

Deliverables:
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Forum for Security Co-operation, please see: https://www.osce.org/forum-for-security-cooperation

Necessary Qualifications:

Second-level university degree in security/defense studies, law-enforcement, humanities, political science, law, international relations or similar field;
Minimum eight (8) years of professional experience at the national and international level, including experience in technical assistance activities ranging from managerial, legal, operational management to technical advisory support;
Knowledge and understanding of standard policies and practices in politico-military dimension as well as transnational aspects of security in international organizations, as well as practical experience in their implementation;
Knowledge and skills of the project management frameworks and methodologies in international organizations, including results-based management within the project cycle;
Knowledge of the Ukrainian law-enforcement structure and legal framework;
Proven experience in the field of combating illicit trafficking in WAE;
Experience in delivering SALW-related trainings and developing training materials;
Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian, including excellent communication and presentation skills. Knowledge of English with written/spoken communication skills would be an asset;
Availability at short notice, flexibility and ability to work under deadlines;
Professional competence with MS Office and Windows applications;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse national and cultural backgrounds;
Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity as well as ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

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.

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 be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
Requisition ID: SEC000837
Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
Grade: No grade
Job Level: Senior Professional
Job Type: Consultant
Number of posts: Multiple
Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
Issue Date: Jul 1, 2025
Closing Date: Jul 15, 2025
Employee Status: Short-Term
Schedule: Full-time
Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
Target Start Date: AUG 01, 2025

International Consultant - Expert on preventing and combating illicit trafficking in SALW, ammunition and explosives