Public Integrity Expert (SSA)

Job Posting Organization:
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is a key institution of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), established to promote and support democratic governance and human rights in the OSCE region. ODIHR was founded in 1990 and has since been instrumental in providing assistance to participating States in their efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. The organization operates in multiple countries across Europe and Central Asia, focusing on enhancing the rule of law, promoting human rights, and fostering democratic governance. ODIHR employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to advancing democratic values and practices, and it collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and international partners, to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Public Integrity Expert will play a crucial role in supporting ODIHR's project titled 'Stronger Democratic Institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries,' which aims to enhance the inclusivity, accountability, and transparency of democratic institutions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The expert will be responsible for developing a publication that provides guidance on Codes of Conduct for persons entrusted with executive functions, drawing on international standards and best practices. This position requires a deep understanding of public integrity frameworks, ethics in public office, and the challenges faced by democratic institutions in the region. The expert will conduct comparative research, draft a comprehensive guide, and ensure that the publication reflects gender-responsive and inclusive considerations. The role demands a high level of expertise in democratic governance and public integrity, as well as the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Public Integrity Expert will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct desk research on international standards and recommendations related to integrity frameworks and Codes of Conduct for persons entrusted with executive functions (PTEFs), including OSCE commitments, GRECO recommendations, and OECD standards.
• Review existing ODIHR publications and resources in the field of public integrity and democratic governance.
• Identify relevant case studies and examples from OSCE participating States, particularly in the Eastern Partnership region, and other international practices.
• Develop a detailed annotated outline of the publication, including proposed structure and methodology.
• Draft the publication 'Strengthening Integrity in the Executive Branch: Guidance on Codes of Conduct for Persons Entrusted with Executive Functions,' approximately 30-40 pages in length, excluding annexes.
• Develop practical guidance on the design, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for PTEFs, addressing anti-corruption and anti-harassment issues.
• Integrate international standards and comparative practices into the publication, ensuring gender-responsive and inclusive considerations are reflected.
• Participate in an online consultation with ODIHR to discuss comments and proposed revisions.
• Revise the draft publication based on feedback received from ODIHR through up to four rounds of internal review. 1
• Finalize the publication in accordance with ODIHR requirements, ensuring it is ready for editing and layout.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law, public administration, political science, public policy, governance, anti-corruption studies, or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 10 years of professional experience in areas related to democratic governance, public integrity, ethics, anti-corruption, or public sector reform. Proven expertise in analyzing political and institutional trends affecting democratic development at both national and regional levels is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in the development, implementation, or assessment of Codes of Conduct and integrity frameworks for public officials, as well as conducting comparative legal and policy analysis. A sound knowledge of relevant international standards and recommendations related to public integrity and ethics in public office is required, along with familiarity with democratic governance reforms in the OSCE region, particularly in Eastern Partnership countries. Experience working with international organizations, public institutions, and integrity bodies is an asset, as is the ability to present complex legal and policy issues clearly and concisely.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in law, public administration, political science, public policy, governance, anti-corruption studies, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of democratic governance and public integrity frameworks, as well as for conducting high-level research and analysis in these areas.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in relevant fields such as democratic governance, public integrity, ethics, anti-corruption, or public sector reform. This experience should include proven expertise in analyzing political and institutional trends, as well as a demonstrated ability to develop and implement Codes of Conduct and integrity frameworks for public officials. Experience in producing high-quality publications and guidance materials for international organizations or governments is also essential.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with an excellent command of both written and spoken English required. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the Eastern Partnership region, would be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) for a duration of 22 days. The role is classified as a consultant position, and the remuneration will be based on the selected expert's qualifications and experience, as well as the tasks and deliverables outlined in the job description. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization does not request payment at any stage of the application process.