Background:

Violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism (VERLT) poses serious threats to peace, security, and stability at both global and regional levels. Effectively addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach that prioritizes preventive measures, community resilience, and evidence-based strategies.
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) is committed to support the Government of Tajikistan to prevent and counter VERLT in line with OSCE principles. In line with its mandate and the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, POiD currently assists the host country in implementing the National Strategy and Action Plan on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (2021–2025).
To strengthen these efforts and ensure the availability of highly qualified expertise, POiD is expanding its roster of national experts to support the implementation of P/CVERLT-related initiatives in Tajikistan. Experts in this roster will contribute to key areas such as policy development, capacity-building, community engagement, training, research, and awareness-raising. Their work will reinforce national responses to violent extremism while ensuring that interventions are context-specific, gender-sensitive, and aligned with human rights principles.
This call seeks professionals with expertise in security and law enforcement, social cohesion, youth engagement, education, gender perspectives, and media and strategic communications. The selected experts will be engaged on a need basis to support POiD’s ongoing and future P/CVERLT activities.

Objective of Assignment:

The objective of the roster call is to expand the pool of qualified national consultants/experts who can provide technical expertise and support the OSCE POiD in running its programmatic activities in the field of prevention and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism in Tajikistan.
The roster will serve as a resource for engaging professionals on a need basis to contribute to various P/CVERLT-related project interventions. By expanding the roster, the POiD aims to ensure timely access to expertise that will enhance national efforts to prevent radicalization, promote social cohesion, and strengthen community resilience against violent extremism.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the National Programme Officer, POiD, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Policy and Strategic Support:
   – Assist in reviewing, analysing and improving policy documents, legal frameworks, and guidelines related to P/CVERLT.
   – Provide technical advice and recommendations to government institutions, civil society organisations, and local stakeholders on P/CVERLT policies, strategies, and action plans.
2. Capacity-Building and Training:
   – Develop and deliver tailored training programmes, workshops, and seminars for law enforcement, educators, youth leaders, community representatives, and other relevant actors and draft final reports.
   – Design training materials, toolkits, and manuals based on international best practices and local context.
3. Community Engagement and Awareness-Raising:
   – Facilitate dialogue and collaboration between government institutions, civil society, religious leaders, and local communities to promote resilience against violent extremism.
   – Support the design and implementation of community-based initiatives, campaigns, and interventions to prevent radicalization.
4. Research and Analysis:
   – Conduct assessments, research studies, and evaluations on the drivers of violent extremism and the effectiveness of existing countermeasures.
   – Develop policy briefs, analytical reports, and recommendations based on research findings.
5. Strategic Communication
   – Support the development of counter-narratives and communication strategies to prevent extremist propaganda and online radicalization.
   – Provide guidance on engaging media and digital platforms to promote positive messaging and alternative narratives.
6. Integration of Gender and Human Rights Perspectives in P/CVERLT Programming:
   – Ensure that P/CVERLT initiatives are inclusive, gender-sensitive, and aligned with human rights principles.
   – Provide expertise on addressing the specific vulnerabilities of women, youth, and marginalized groups in the context of violent extremism.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: http://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-dushanbe

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in law, international relations/studies, public administration, social sciences, security or military sciences, or an equivalent qualification and/or related field;
• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant work experience in law enforcement agencies, civil society or government organizations, research institutions, or public administration within state entities, focusing on preventive and countering measures against terrorism and violent extremism is desirable;
• Thorough understanding of the notions related to ‘terrorism’, ‘violent extremism’, ‘terrorist radicalisation’ on the basis of Tajikistan’s national legal framework;
• Knowledge of internationally recognized standards and practices in terms of external evaluation, enriched by experience in a successfully conducted institutional reform endeavours, strategy planning and programs evaluation, project management and fundraising;
• Understanding of the specific challenges of institutional reform, including gender mainstreaming and human rights considerations in P/CVERLT initiatives;
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills, with sound judgment and decision-making abilities;
• Good knowledge of the OSCE and UN organization’s area of operation. Previous work-experience within OSCE, UN or EU is an asset;
• Strong teamwork, coordination, and interpersonal skills to work effectively with stakeholders from diverse cultural, religious, and political backgrounds;
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines and pressure while maintaining high-quality outputs;
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills;
• Professional fluency in the Russian and Tajik languages, working knowledge of English is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Strong digital literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as internet and email communication.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.