National Consultant for Financial Independence and Budgetary Autonomy Framework

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Mission to Skopje 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 the region. The mission focuses on supporting the Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination (CPPD) and the Ombudsperson Institution (OI) to ensure compliance with international and EU standards for equality bodies and the UN Paris Principles for National Human Rights Institutions. The mission aims to strengthen institutional independence, effectiveness, and accountability of key human rights bodies, with a commitment to achieving these goals by 202

• The OSCE operates in multiple countries, promoting human rights, conflict prevention, and post-conflict rehabilitation, and has a diverse workforce dedicated to these objectives.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in developing the Financial Independence and Budgetary Autonomy Framework for both the CPPD and the OI. This position requires a deep understanding of financial independence, budgetary processes, and the legal frameworks governing public institutions. The consultant will be responsible for creating a comprehensive work plan and methodology, conducting stakeholder consultations, and drafting protocols that enhance the financial autonomy of these institutions. The consultant's work will directly contribute to the institutions' ability to operate independently and effectively, ensuring compliance with national legislation and international standards. The assignment is expected to last for five months, during which the consultant will engage with various stakeholders, analyze existing frameworks, and develop actionable recommendations for financial independence and budgetary autonomy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Inception Phase: Develop a detailed work plan and methodology for the financial and budgetary autonomy framework; review existing mandates and legal frameworks to identify high-risk issues.
• Data Collection and Stakeholder Consultations: Organize and facilitate meetings with stakeholders to map functions and challenges; conduct interviews with the Chairperson of the CPPD/OI to gather insights on gaps and improvement areas.
• Protocol Writing: Analyze data to develop a financial independence and budget autonomy framework; draft the protocol and incorporate feedback from CPPD/OI.
• Development of Internal Financial Autonomy Rules: Prepare draft internal rules and present them for feedback.
• Development of Medium-Term Budget Planning Document: Review legal requirements, prepare a layout for the budget document, and facilitate workshops to map priorities for 2027-202
• The consultant will also coordinate regularly with the Activity Lead and the CPPD/OI throughout the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Economy, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in economy, finances, budget planning, public administration, or institutional assessment is required. Candidates should have a strong understanding of public sector finances, governance, financial law, and budgetary planning processes. Experience in developing financial independence frameworks and conducting stakeholder consultations is essential. Strong facilitation skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders are also necessary. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Macedonian are mandatory, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and analytical tools for data collection and reporting.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree (first-level university degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Economy, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Law. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of financial independence and budgetary processes within public institutions.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in areas related to economy, finances, budget planning, and public administration. Experience with independent human rights bodies and familiarity with the legal frameworks governing these institutions is highly desirable. The consultant should also have a proven track record of developing financial independence frameworks and conducting stakeholder consultations, workshops, and interviews.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Macedonian is mandatory for this position. Candidates should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in both languages, as the role involves drafting reports, analytical documents, and policy recommendations. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) for a consultant role, with a total of 20 working days over a duration of 5 months. The consultant will be compensated at a rate of 140 Euro per day, with payment made upon successful completion of all tasks. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and integrity among its officials.