Senior Local Expert on Referendums

Background:
The OSCE Presence in Albania (PiA) through the ExB “Support to Electoral Reform and Process in Albania” project, supported by Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S Mission to the OSCE and Poland, aims to contribute to an all-inclusive and participatory electoral process in line with OSCE commitments and OSCE/ODIHR recommendations.

The referendums process is essential in a democratic society by allowing citizens to participate directly in decision-making process. In Albania, the referendums process has played an important role in shaping the country’s political landscape in the 1990s . However, the use of the referendums process has been challenging since the existing legal framework has been criticized for its inconsistencies, high thresholds, unclear rules, and some provisions not aligning with the constitution. Several draft laws have been proposed by political parties and civil society organizations, highlighting the need for a clearer, more effective law on referendums that meets international standards. Moreover, with a potential EU accession referendums in the future, this work is not only timely but essential to strengthening democratic engagement.

To address these challenges and build a path toward meaningful legal reform, the Project is seeking to hire a senior local expert for the assessment of the referendum processes in Albania with the purpose of gathering input on challenges and shortcoming of this process from different stakeholder’s perspectives. The assessment process will include the assessment of the legal framework and consultative meetings with elected officials from local government and employees from these structures, civil society, media, citizens and community members and other relevant stakeholders to discuss on the importance of referendum processes, current issues and potential legislative changes. The local consultation meetings across Albania will be held with the aim of collecting structured input for an evidence-based assessment of possible legislative and procedural changes. The discussions and feedback collected during these local consultation meetings will be processed and presented at the final workshop in Tirana.

Objective of Assignment:
The expert will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the referendum process in Albania, aimed at identifying legal, procedural, and practical challenges, and ensuring an inclusive understanding through structured local consultation meetings with key stakeholders.

Duration of Assignment:
This specific consultancy is envisaged to be developed during a period of approximately 3 months.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
1. Upon consultations with PiA, develop a methodology/work plan with milestones for carrying the assignment within a set timeframe.
2. Assess the legal framework governing referendums, including practices by the Parliament, Central Election Commission (CEC), and other institutions, by identifying institutional, procedural, and administrative challenges. Additionally, evaluate the inclusiveness of the referendum process, with attention to participation barriers affecting youth, women, and marginalized communities.
3. Organize and facilitate at least 12 structured local consultation meetings across Albania (online or on-site), ensuring geographic, demographic, and gender balance, and moderating discussions in an impartial and inclusive manner to create space for open dialogue.
4. Develop technical recommendations for legal and procedural reforms, highlighting actionable measures to enhance the transparency, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of the referendum process.
5. Present all findings and proposed recommendations in an online or on-site format.

Deliverables:
Methodology/ work plan / timeline for carrying out the assignment.

Produce a first draft report incorporating findings from the assessment of the legal framework.
Produce a report incorporating findings from all activities.
A final report, which includes all relevant research, assessments, and proposed recommendations, approximately 25–30 pages in length and structured to cover the legal framework assessment, institutional and procedural challenges, inclusiveness of the referendum process (with attention to youth, women, and marginalized groups), key findings, and concrete recommendations for reform.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Law, Political Science or related fields;
• Minimum 10 years of experience in electoral assistance and administration, including extensive referendum experience;
• Proven expertise in comparative electoral law and electoral integrity;
• Knowledge of international practices in the area;
• Familiarity with the political and social landscape in Albania;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills in English;
• Working knowledge of Albanian or prior experience in the Western Balkans region is considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated gender awareness and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities is considered an asset;
• Computer literate and able to adjust to online working.

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