International Consultant/Expert in Psychology and Institutional Capacity Building

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization, comprising 57 participating States. Established to promote peace, security, and stability in Europe, the OSCE operates on a consensus basis, ensuring that all member states have equal status. The organization focuses on various areas including conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. The OSCE has a significant presence in various countries, working on issues related to security, democracy, and human rights. The organization emphasizes the importance of peaceful dispute resolution, as highlighted in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Conflict Prevention Centre in 199

• The OSCE has been involved in numerous initiatives to support democratic governance and security sector reform, particularly in Armenia through the Armenia Co-operation Programme (ACP).

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant/Expert in Psychology and Institutional Capacity Building is aimed at assessing the needs and existing capacities for psychological support services within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Armenia. The consultant will work within the framework of the OSCE's Extra-budgetary project, which focuses on strengthening good governance and democratic practices in the security sector. The consultant will be responsible for conducting stakeholder consultations, data collection, and institutional capacity assessments to identify gaps in psychological support services for MIA personnel. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers, particularly in relation to trauma, chronic stress, and burnout. The consultant will also develop policy recommendations to enhance the provision of psychological support services, ensuring that they are responsive to the needs of uniformed personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will perform a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Project Manager, including:

• Conducting stakeholder consultations and data collection to assess institutional capacity;
• Preparing and conducting meetings, interviews, and focus group discussions with MIA senior management and other relevant stakeholders;
• Finalizing an assessment of perceptions and barriers related to accessing psychological support;
• Mapping existing MIA structures and resources for psychological support services;
• Reviewing referral pathways to external psychological support providers;
• Analyzing collected information and preparing a draft needs assessment report;
• Identifying key needs, capacity gaps, risks, and opportunities;
• Developing recommendations for a psychological support service model;
• Presenting preliminary findings to the MIA and facilitating validation of the assessment; 1
• Finalizing the assessment and recommendations based on feedback received.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in psychology, clinical psychology, occupational psychology, mental health, public health, social sciences, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in designing, delivering, or assessing psychological support services is required. Experience within law enforcement or high-stress environments is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in policy planning, conducting needs assessments, and institutional capacity assessments. Familiarity with gender-responsive approaches to workplace psychological support is essential, as is a strong understanding of the Armenian law enforcement system. Professional fluency in Armenian and working knowledge of English are mandatory, while knowledge of another OSCE language is an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a first-level university degree, which can be a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, in fields related to psychology, mental health, social sciences, or public health. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of psychological support and institutional capacity-building within the context of law enforcement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience. This experience should encompass the design, delivery, or assessment of psychological support services, particularly in environments that are high-stress or involve uniformed services. Candidates should have a proven track record in conducting needs assessments and institutional capacity evaluations, ideally at both national and international levels.

Languages:
Fluency in Armenian is mandatory, as the consultant will be working closely with the MIA and other local stakeholders. Excellent communication and drafting skills in Armenian are essential. Additionally, a working knowledge of English is required, and proficiency in another OSCE language would be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) and is classified as a consultant role. The assignment is expected to last for up to 20 working days, with the possibility of extending up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year, depending on project needs. The work will primarily be conducted off-site. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. The organization emphasizes ethical conduct and integrity among its officials, and candidates should be aware that no payment is requested at any stage of the application process.