International Expert

**Background**:
Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of up to 120 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 OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the OSCE decision-making bodies in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

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.

**Objective of Assignment**:
To further support these processes, the FSC SU is seeking to employ a consultant who will be entrusted with substantive responsibilities in providing necessary expertise and advisory related to all aspects of further development and building of canine (K9) capacities of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in OSCE region to detect and confiscate SALW, ammunition and explosives, including all other subsequent actions to be undertaken in support of these activities.

The consultant canine (K9) expert will work under the overall supervision of the FSC SU Project Officers and the direct supervision and guidance of the project officers in the respective FOs.

**Duration of Assignment**:
120 days

**Tasks and Responsibilities**:
To provide support in analysing and reviewing the existing K9 operational plans, policies and procedures within the beneficiary LEAs, to identify gaps and provide advisory support and recommendations for their improvement in line with best practices and international standards in place;
To analyse and review existing practices and policies related to management, operation, and budgeting, and thus ensure an up-to-date status of K9 units with regards to efficient and standardized management and deployment of the K9 assets;
To provide technical assistance and expertise necessary to deliver, standardize and institutionalize the K9 training for detection of SALW, ammunition and explosives, in accordance with international standards and best practices;
To perform remote and face-to-face consultations (should these be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with the relevant stakeholders at various stages of the assignment;
To perform, as required, any other tasks related to providing support and assistance pertaining to K9 capacity building activities.

**Deliverables**:
**Necessary Qualifications**:
First-level university degree in police, security and/or military sciences, or similar education;
Minimum eight (8) years of professional experience at the national and international level, including progressively responsible experience in technical assistance activities ranging from managerial, legal, operational management to technical advisory support;
Profound knowledge of K9 capability and usage of it in the context of SALW;
Excellent analytical skills, and strong knowledge and understanding of the nexus between K9 capabilities used in the firearms related investigations;
Strong ability to carry out work independently;
Excellent analytical, diplomatic and negotiation skills;
Flexibility and ability to work under pressure in a challenging environment and within limited time frames;
Professional fluency in English with excellent written/spoken communication skills; knowledge of other OSCE languages would be an asset; knowledge of local languages in the geographical area of OSCE practical assistance projects in South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia would be of distinct advantage;
Ability to establish and maintain effective and con