Local Consultant - Access to Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Mission to Serbia is dedicated to enhancing accountability, transparency, good governance, and the protection of citizens' rights within the country. Established to support Serbian institutions, the mission focuses on fostering a democratic environment through various initiatives. The organization operates in multiple countries, emphasizing the importance of human rights and democratic governance. The OSCE has a significant presence in the region, working collaboratively with local authorities and civil society to promote effective governance and uphold the rule of law. The mission's efforts are geared towards strengthening the capacities of independent oversight bodies, ensuring they can effectively fulfill their mandates and serve the public interest.

Job Overview:
The position of Local Consultant is pivotal in supporting the OSCE Mission to Serbia's project aimed at enhancing accountability and governance. The consultant will be engaged in a variety of tasks that require specialized expertise in access to information and personal data protection. This role involves conducting legal and policy research, providing expert advice, and developing practical tools that align with European human rights standards. The consultant will also be responsible for analyzing access to information requests and contributing to the development of capacity-building activities for the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection. The overarching goal is to ensure that the principles of transparency and accountability are upheld while balancing privacy concerns and the public interest. The consultant will work closely with stakeholders to deliver high-quality outputs that support the mission's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting in-depth legal, policy, and institutional research and analysis; developing assessments and recommendations on access to information and privacy issues; providing expert advice on drafting guidance documents, handbooks, and methodologies; conceptualizing and delivering training seminars and workshops for the Commissioner’s staff; and offering specialized expertise on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as they relate to privacy and data protection. The consultant will also analyze gender-disaggregated data and access requests to ensure that gender-responsive approaches are integrated into the project activities. Collaboration with various stakeholders is essential to ensure that the outputs meet the needs of the Commissioner and align with relevant legal frameworks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess citizenship or permanent residency in Serbia, along with a university degree in law, social sciences, public administration, information technology, or a related field. A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience is required, demonstrating expertise in access to information, privacy, and personal data protection. Candidates should have a strong background in European human rights and EU law standards, as well as experience in providing expert advice and conducting research. Familiarity with the national legal framework governing access to information and personal data protection is essential, and experience working with independent oversight bodies is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should have good analytical, presentation, and communication skills, along with full computer literacy.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as law, social sciences, public administration, or information technology. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of access to information laws and personal data protection regulations, as well as the broader context of governance and human rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience. This experience should encompass a demonstrated ability to conduct legal, policy, and institutional research, as well as the development of practical tools and capacity-building activities. Candidates should have a proven track record of providing expert advice and engaging with stakeholders in the field of access to information and personal data protection.

Languages:
Professional fluency in both English and Serbian is mandatory, with strong oral and written communication skills in both languages. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective collaboration and communication with various stakeholders, including government officials and civil society organizations. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be offered under a Special Service Agreement (SSA), with the specific terms and conditions dependent on the needs of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the availability of funds. The consultancy fee will be determined based on the nature of the services provided and in accordance with OSCE rules and procedures. Candidates are encouraged to propose their daily fees in RSD as part of their application. The position may require both on-site and home-based work, depending on the assignment's nature. The OSCE is committed to achieving a balanced representation of women and men within the organization and retains the discretion to modify the terms of the consultancy as necessary.