International Media Regulatory Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Presence in Albania is an integral 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, security, and stability in the region. The OSCE Presence in Albania focuses on various areas, including media development, human rights, and democratic governance. The organization aims to support national institutions, media professionals, and civil society organizations in enhancing Albania's media environment. The OSCE operates in multiple countries across Europe, with a mission to foster cooperation and dialogue among member states. The organization is committed to promoting democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law, and it engages in various projects to strengthen these principles in the countries where it operates.

Job Overview:
The position of International Media Regulatory Consultant is designed to engage a high-level international legal expert to conduct a comprehensive review of the Audio-Visual Media Authority's (AMA) existing bylaws and regulatory acts in Albania. The consultant will assess the alignment of these regulations with the applicable European Union legal framework and relevant international standards. The role is crucial in identifying regulatory gaps and inconsistencies, and in formulating concrete recommendations for the harmonization and improvement of the media regulatory framework. This assignment is part of the OSCE's project aimed at enhancing media literacy, legal frameworks, and journalistic standards in Albania, with a focus on promoting media freedom, institutional independence, and accountability. The consultant will work closely with national institutions, media professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure that the recommendations support the regulatory reform efforts of AMA and align with European and international standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks, including:

• Conducting a desk review and methodological preparation to define the scope of the assessment.
• Assessing AMA's regulatory framework to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Identifying regulatory gaps and inconsistencies within the existing bylaws and regulatory acts.
• Engaging in stakeholder consultations to gather input and validate preliminary findings.
• Preparing a draft legal assessment and recommendations based on the findings.
• Presenting and validating the findings with the OSCE Presence and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the recommendations are practical and implementable. The consultant will also be expected to deliver a comprehensive legal analysis that includes identifying gaps, overlaps, ambiguities, and outdated provisions in the regulatory framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law, European law, international law, media law, communications law, human rights law, regulatory law, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with additional qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in legal and regulatory analysis, particularly in media law, audiovisual regulation, European Union law, and freedom of expression. Demonstrated expertise in the EU audiovisual and media regulatory framework is essential, along with experience in reviewing legislation and preparing legal recommendations. Candidates should also have a sound knowledge of relevant EU legislation and European standards governing audiovisual media services and media freedom.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in law or a related field. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have substantial professional experience that compensates for the lack of an advanced degree. The focus should be on areas such as media law, European law, international law, and regulatory law, which are directly relevant to the responsibilities of the consultant.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience. This experience should include legal and regulatory analysis, particularly in the fields of media law, audiovisual regulation, and European Union law. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with media regulatory bodies and should be familiar with the EU audiovisual and media regulatory framework. Experience in drafting high-quality analytical reports, legal opinions, and policy papers is also essential, as is experience working with independent regulatory authorities or international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to prepare legal documents and engage with stakeholders in English. Knowledge of Albanian or other languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, but it is not a requirement for the position.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of one month, starting from August 1, 202

• The position is classified under a Special Service Agreement (SSA) and is categorized as a consultant role. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and integrity among its officials and does not request payment at any stage of the application process. Remuneration will be based on the consultant's qualifications and experience, as well as the tasks and deliverables associated with the position.