Roster Call for Experts on Multilingual Education (MLE)

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) is an organization focused on conflict prevention, particularly regarding national minority issues. Established to provide early warning and action, the HCNM assists participating States in shaping policies and legislation that respect minority rights. The organization has been active in supporting mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) initiatives in Central Asia since 2006, recognizing the importance of education in fostering the participation of national minorities in society. The HCNM operates through various programs, including the Central Asia Education Programme (CAEP), which has been in place since 2008 and aims to strengthen teacher training and facilitate regional knowledge exchange. The HCNM is committed to promoting multilingual education as a means to create balanced education systems that support both mother-tongue instruction and proficiency in the state language.

Job Overview:
The position involves identifying and pre-selecting a pool of highly qualified experts with hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the educational and linguistic landscapes of Central Asia and Mongolia. The selected experts will be engaged under a Special Service Agreement (SSA) to provide specialized technical and advisory support for HCNM activities in multilingual education. The role requires expertise in areas such as classroom teaching, school management, teacher training in MTB-MLE, and the development of educational methodologies and materials. Experts will also be responsible for advising education authorities on MLE strategies and policies, conducting assessments, and contributing to national and regional HCNM activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The expert(s) will undertake various tasks, including designing and conducting capacity and needs assessments of MLE provision, providing policy-oriented recommendations to education authorities in Central Asia, and advising on the development of multilingual education methodologies. They will also be responsible for developing teaching materials, contributing to HCNM activities such as workshops and conferences, and conducting training sessions for MLE practitioners. Additional duties may include performing related tasks as required and ensuring that all deliverables meet quality standards and deadlines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, pedagogy, linguistics, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree combined with extensive professional experience in MLE may be accepted. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of international norms regarding minority rights, proven expertise in multilingual education, and experience in international cooperation or technical assistance in education. Knowledge of the educational context in Central Asia and Mongolia is essential, along with strong communication skills in Russian and/or English, and potentially other regional languages.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as education, pedagogy, or linguistics. A Bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by significant professional experience in multilingual education. Candidates should have a solid understanding of educational policies and practices related to minority rights and multilingual education.

Experience:
Candidates should have progressively responsible experience in international cooperation and technical assistance in education, particularly in multilingual education contexts. Experience in conducting needs assessments, policy analysis, and capacity-building activities is essential. Proven expertise in MLE within Central Asia and Mongolia is required, along with experience in organizing workshops and training sessions.

Languages:
Mandatory languages include Russian and/or English, depending on the assignments. Knowledge of regional languages such as Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Mongolian, Turkmen, Tajik, or Uzbek is considered an asset and may be required for specific tasks.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered under a Special Service Agreement (SSA) and is classified as a consultant role. The duration and timing of assignments will vary based on operational needs and funding availability. Consultants will work from home but may need to travel for tasks. Remuneration will be based on qualifications and experience, following OSCE consultancy rates. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee contract awards, and the OSCE reserves the right to modify or close the roster at any time. The organization is committed to diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.