International Consultant – Gender responsive and disability inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Background:
 

Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, from August 2021 until December 2021, for a total of approximately 50 working days.

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, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism 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.

As the largest regional security organization in the world, the OSCE has an important role to play in addressing the comprehensive aspects of women’s and men’s, girls’ and boys’ human rights and security. works towards the implementation of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan and relevant MC decisions and supports systematic efforts to mainstream gender equality across the Organization in all its policies, programmes, projects and activities in three dimensions of comprehensive security. 

The Gender Issues Programme of the Office of OSCE Secretary General (hereinafter “Gender Section”) multi-year, comprehensive project “WIN - Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality” will advance gender equality as a necessary prerequisite for achieving and maintaining stable, prosperous and peaceful societies in the OSCE area, in line with the OSCE 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the Women, and other MC commitments.   

The project seeks to build evidence on gender mainstreaming and women’s leadership and strengthen existing - and create new networks of female and male gender advocates in governments and civil society in order to foster and enhance an inclusive dialogue in the OSCE region.  Gender mainstreaming in DRR is one of the activities within the economic- and environmental pillar. Gender inequalities could be exacerbated in and after natural disasters. The intersectionality of gender and disability leave women and girls with disabilities less resilient in these circumstances.   (DRR)

The OSCE commitments on disaster risk reduction (DRR) include the 2003 OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension, the 2007 Madrid Declaration on Environment and Security and more importantly the 2014 Basel Ministerial Council Decision on Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). 

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

Objective of Assignment: 

The objective of the Economic and Environmental pillar of WIN on DRR is to provide data and analysis on gender responsive and disability inclusive DRR in a selected number of OSCE participating states and provide recommendations for more gender responsive and disability inclusive policy policies. 

The project will contribute to the realization of SDG 5 (Gender equality) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).
 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Based on OSCE commitments, the Sendai framework and relevant regional frameworks, the Consultant will be tasked with the following: 

1. Mapping and assessing gender responsiveness and disability inclusivity in DRR framework (and reporting) in a selected number OSCE participating states and undertake deeper assessment in selected countries in Central Asia, East and South East Europe; The assessment will also include Japan and, possibly, several selected Asian and Mediterranean partners for cooperation;  
2. Identifying barriers to women’s participation in the different phases of DRR, with a special attention to women with disabilities; 
3. Exploring gaps, barriers as well as opportunities for women’s leadership in crisis management bodies in OSCE region; 
4. Producing policy recommendations to ensure a more gender responsive and disability inclusive DRR approach;
5. Participating at expert roundtables organised by OSCE. Finalising the recommendations for a publication. The findings will be presented and discussed at virtual sub-regional expert roundtables (South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Mongolia). It is also envisaged that the critical findings and recommendations will be discussed at a high-level event in Vienna planned for 1st Quarter 2022;
6. Consulting with representatives from OSCE executive structures and relevant organisations (for example UN Women, UNDDR, UNECE, Aarhus Centers) during the process.

Deliverables:

• Outline of the study, methodology of mapping and assessment, in consultation with the OSCE gender team;
• Identification of relevant national, regional and international DRR frameworks in consultation OSCE field operations;
• Evaluation of if and how issues connected to gender and disability are included in DRR policies of OSCE participating States; identify and document good practices in inclusive and gender responsive DRR  policies and management, prepare 5-6 case studies;  
• Mapping of women’s leadership in crisis management bodies in OSCE region, identify good practices and develop several (up to 5) cases studies; 
• Draft for publication based on feedback and comments.

Timeline:

• An outline by 31 August 2021
• First draft by 1 October 2021
• Present preliminary findings (October/November 2021)
• Final draft for publication by 10 December 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in relevant areas (environmental studies, gender studies, social studies, political science);
• At least five years of working experience in the area of gender mainstreaming in DDR, and/or environmental areas, and/or crisis or emergency management;
• Sound knowledge of disability inclusion in DRR and crisis / emergency response;
• Proven research and analytical skills;
• Familiarity with OSCE activities in the field of environment and good environmental governance will be asset;
• Flexibility and ability to meet deadlines;
• Professional fluency and excellent drafting skills in English. Working knowledge of Russian is an asset;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Advanced ICT skills and ability to use virtual modalities of work;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the applicable fee scale that applies to the delivery of consultancy services by individual contractors, and shall depend on the complexity of the tasks and deliverables.

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 https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form.

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.