National Consultant in Business Development

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Programme Office in Astana is part of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which was established to promote peace, stability, and democracy in its member states. The OSCE has a mission to enhance security through dialogue and cooperation among its 57 participating states. The office in Astana focuses on various initiatives, including women's economic empowerment, which is crucial for fostering social cohesion and reducing inequalities. The OSCE operates in multiple countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, employing a diverse workforce committed to the principles of democracy and human rights.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant in Business Development is aimed at supporting the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in organizing and coordinating art therapy workshops for socially vulnerable groups, particularly women. The consultant will play a vital role in enhancing the employability and entrepreneurship skills of selected participants by developing a structured mentorship workshop schedule and ensuring effective follow-up support. This initiative is part of a broader effort to empower women economically, thereby contributing to social stability and sustainable development in Kazakhstan. The consultant will be responsible for creating a safe and inclusive environment for participants, facilitating workshops that build confidence and resilience, and documenting the outcomes of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: developing a comprehensive mentorship workshop schedule; submitting detailed session reports and attendance lists after each workshop, ensuring an established feedback mechanism is in place; maintaining individual mentoring notes for women who require follow-up support; assisting participants in developing personal goals and action plans; preparing a final summary of results that encapsulates the key findings, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the project. The consultant will also conduct pre-workshop and post-workshop evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the workshops and ensure that project participants receive regular support, particularly those needing additional assistance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Gender Studies, or a related field. Training in group facilitation, coaching, or mentoring is highly desirable. A minimum of 2 years of experience in group facilitation, mentoring, psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support, or adult education is required. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with socially vulnerable groups, especially women, and experience in designing and conducting workshops that enhance confidence, life skills, or resilience. Strong skills in group dynamics, conflict resolution, and participatory facilitation methods are essential, along with the ability to create safe and inclusive spaces for open dialogue. Competence in basic reporting, documentation, and monitoring of participant progress is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Bachelor’s degree, which is considered a first-level university degree or equivalent. The degree should be in a relevant field such as Psychology, Social Work, Education, or Gender Studies, which aligns with the responsibilities of the role and the objectives of the OSCE's initiatives.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in areas such as group facilitation, mentoring, psychosocial support, or adult education. This experience should include working with socially vulnerable groups, particularly women, and designing workshops that focus on building confidence and resilience. The ability to adapt to the evolving needs of participants and provide tailored support is crucial for this role.

Languages:
While the job posting does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in both Kazakh and Russian is likely essential given the local context of the position in Kazakhstan. Knowledge of English may also be beneficial, particularly for documentation and reporting purposes, as the OSCE operates in multiple languages.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) for a consultant role, with a duration from October to November 2025, although these dates may change. The position is open exclusively to Kazakhstan nationals and permanent residents. The remuneration package will be based on the consultant's qualifications and experience, as well as the tasks and deliverables associated with the role, and will be discussed during the interview process. Payment will be made in local currency (tenge) to the consultant's bank account. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.