International Expert on Youth Climate Citizens Assemblies

Background:

In line with its commitment to fostering inclusive democratic governance and enhancing youth participation, the OSCE Presence in Albania (hereinafter “the Presence”) is implementing the project “Supporting Central and Local Institutions for Inclusive Democratic Processes in Albania: Empowering Women, Youth and Civil Society (Phase 1).” A core pillar of this project involves piloting Albania’s first Youth Climate Assembly (YCA) in partnership with the Municipality of Tirana.

The YCA represents a pioneering participatory democracy mechanism designed to elevate youth voices in climate policy decision-making. The model aligns with the OSCE’s strategic priorities of democratic institution building and environmental governance. To ensure a robust and context-sensitive foundation for the pilot, the Presence seeks to engage a qualified international expert to develop the full methodology for the YCA. This includes designing institutional and procedural frameworks, roles and responsibilities, selection processes, and facilitation and educational tools necessary for a successful implementation.

This engagement builds on the preliminary feasibility assessment conducted in 2024 and aims to provide practical, scalable, and rights-based guidance for operationalizing the YCA in Albania.

Objective of Assignment:
The International Expert (to be hired in the framework of the above-mentioned project, Activity 2.4), will be responsible for preparing a comprehensive methodology to guide the establishment and operation of the Youth Climate Assembly in Tirana. This methodology will define the Assembly's structure, governance, procedures and educational content, ensuring inclusivity, transparency and youth ownership.

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy is envisaged to last for 1 month during the period May-June 2025.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Share a preliminary concept document about the methodology
- Draft a detailed framework defining roles, decision-making structures, and oversight mechanisms to ensure a transparent and accountable assembly process.
- Draft a set of specific guidelines/manuals for each key structure of the YCA (e.g. facilitators, coordinators, experts, oversight committee) detailing responsibilities, duties, and best practices as per the structures shared in the feasibility assessment report;
- Draft Rules and Procedures Document outlining Code of Conduct, Speaker and debate rules, consensus-building methods, decision-making processes for the Assembly;
- Draft thematic briefings and education materials for participants – youth friendly background materials
- Submit the comprehensive methodology document, incorporating all previously drafted components (concept document, governance framework, role-specific guidelines, rules and procedures, stakeholder engagement strategy, educational materials)

Deliverables:
A concept document outlining the methodology structure, components and approach will be shared for review and approval to the Presence.
Share the detailed framework defining institutional roles, decision-making structures and oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
The draft tailored guidelines/manuals for each key role (facilitators, coordinators, expert panel, oversight committee) based on feasibility report recommendations submitted to the Presence for review and approval.
Draft of the Assembly’s internal regulations including Code of Conduct, debate rules, consensus-building approaches and decision-making protocols.
Submit youth-friendly educational materials on climate issues and civic participation to be used in the Assembly.
Compilation of all previous components into a comprehensive, coherent and user-friendly methodology package submitted to the Presence for review and approval.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in political science, public administration, international relations, environmental policy, development studies or related fields.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant professional experience in designing and facilitating Citizens’ Assemblies or participatory processes, preferably with demonstrated success in implementation.
• Proven expertise in climate governance, public engagement and youth empowerment.
• Prior experience in the Western Balkans or comparable socio-political contexts is a strong asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills.
• Fluent command of English (written and spoken); knowledge of Albanian is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality analytical and methodological documents.

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