Consultant – Trafficking in human beings (THB) - Methodology online THB mapping

Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of approximately 25 working days.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, as well as 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, counterterrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States (pS) enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (SR/CTHB) represents the OSCE at the political level on anti-trafficking issues. The Office of the SR/CTHB assists OSCE participating States in the implementation of commitments and full usage of recommendations set forth in the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. The Office provides a co-ordinating function among OSCE structures and institutions involved in combating trafficking in human beings (CTHB) with a focus on the following activities: enhancing the awareness and understanding of THB across the OSCE region; policy planning and advocacy especially in the area of emerging trends of THB and effective approaches to combating THB; and direct assistance to participating States in practical and technical areas, at their request.

The Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (OSR/CTHB) is implementing an Extra-Budgetary project (ExB) focusing on addressing technology facilitated trafficking in human beings. One of the objectives of the project is to increase the capacity of the relevant anti-trafficking stakeholders in the OSCE area, especially the law enforcement authorities, to address technology facilitated trafficking in human beings. The online platforms that facilitate human trafficking could be virtually limitless - social media, on-line games, apps etc. The anti-trafficking stakeholders have to have concrete guidance on which platforms are associated with risk of human trafficking. In this regard, one of the activities planned under the project is to provide guidance on how to identify and map websites with high risk of human trafficking and what indicators could be used to flag possible instances of THB on those platforms.

The objectives of the consultancy are to increase the understanding and capacity of the anti-trafficking stakeholders in the OSCE area in developing practices to systematically identify and monitor online platforms where the risks of trafficking in human beings are high.

Under the supervision of the Associate Officer on Combating Trafficking in Human beings, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Drafting a handbook on methodologies to map online platforms with high risks of trafficking and developing indicators of possible instances of THB on those platforms. The handbook will include at minimum the following sections:

Mapping online platforms with high risks of trafficking:

• Taking stock of and describing the categories of online platforms where the risk of trafficking is high;
• Mapping online platforms with high risks of trafficking through the use of Internet search engines and a list of keywords;
• Mapping online platforms with high risks of trafficking through interviews with relevant stakeholders, especially survivors of human trafficking, NGOs, relevant state institutions;
• Mapping online platforms with high risks of trafficking through consultation with the private sector, especially the technology companies, including social media;
• Development of databases of online platforms with high risks of trafficking with the purpose of systematic monitoring and categories of information and data to collect from platforms to be included in the database.

Indicators of possible instances of THB on online platforms:

• Brief review of existing research and resources on indicators of THB on online platforms;
• Typology of indicators and their description;
• List of red flag examples;
• Practical case studies in applying indicators to the analyses of possible human trafficking instances.

The consultant will work remotely with possible travels pre-approved by the OSCE.

Expected Output/Deliverable

• The final version of the handbook containing between 40 and 50 standardized pages.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat  

• University degree in criminal justice, public policy, public administration, computer science, cybercrime and other similar disciplines;
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the fields of combating trafficking in human beings, especially for sexual exploitation or cybercrime working in a state institution, international organization, NGO, academia or private sector;
• Proven knowledge and experience in developing guiding materials, especially for law enforcement authorities;
• Professional fluency in the English language, both oral and written;
• Computer literacy with knowledge of the Microsoft Office package;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
• Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
• Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies.

If you are not a national of a participating State, you must apply by submitting an offline application form which can be found under http://www.osce.org/employment.

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 applicants 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.

Applicants should be aware that OSCE staff/mission members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. The OSCE subscribes to the following core ethical standards or values: integrity, diversity, commitment and accountability.

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