National expert for providing social assistance to victims of Trafficking in Persons, (SSAs)

Background:

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, within the framework of the Project on Counteracting Trafficking in Persons and Supporting Victims Access to Justice, implements a number of activities aimed at counteracting trafficking in Tajikistan and protecting the rights of VoTs. Among these activities is the provision of direct assistance to the most vulnerable VoTs, which includes the provision of legal, social and psychological assistance to VoTs. Social assistance represents an additional package of services provided to those VoTs, who will receive legal assistance at the stage of criminal and civil proceedings, and aims to ensure the full restoration of their rights and opportunities for subsequent effective participation in the administration of justice. Furthermore, it is planned to provide social assistance to other categories of vulnerable VoTs, regardless of their participation in criminal proceedings on TiP cases.

In this regard, the task of providing comprehensive social assistance will be performed by a National Expert with appropriate educational background and experience in social work with victims of crimes, including those related to TiP.

Objective of Assignment: 

The National Expert will provide a range of social services to the most vulnerable VoTs, including those who are involved in the consideration of cases related to trafficking in persons (TiP) within the criminal and civil proceedings of the Republic of Tajikistan. This duty includes providing auxiliary social-legal, socio-pedagogical, social-labor and referral support to VoTs. It is expected that the national expert will develop and send to the staff of the OSCE Anti-Trafficking Project periodical reports on the results of social support services provided to VoTs.

Duration of Assignment:
3 months in the period from 15 February 2024 to 15 May 2024.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the National Anti-Trafficking Officer of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, the National Expert will perform the following tasks:

1. Directly providing auxiliary social and rehabilitation assistance to the most vulnerable TiP victims (recipients of social services), including those who are involved in the examination of cases related to TiP within the criminal and civil proceedings of the Republic of Tajikistan (in the courts of first and second instances). The complex of social services should include:

• social and domestic help, aimed at supporting the recipients of social services in everyday life;
• socio-medical services, aimed at maintaining and preserving the health of recipients of social services by assisting in the implementation of recreational activities, systematic monitoring of social services’ recipients to identify deviations in their health;
• socio-pedagogical services, aimed at preventing deviations in the behavior and developing the personality of social services’ recipients, forming their positive interests (including in the field of leisure), organizing their leisure, assisting the family in raising children;
• socio-labor services, aimed at providing assistance in finding employment and in solving other problems related to labor adaptation;
• socio-legal services, aimed at providing assistance in obtaining legal services (including free of charge), protecting the rights and legitimate interests of recipients of social services, familiarizing recipients with the legislation on issues of interest, assisting in drafting requests and referring recipients to the appropriate authorities to resolve issues concerning their rights and interests;
• services to increase the communicative capacity of recipients of social services with disabilities, including children with disabilities;
• urgent social services.

2. Providing free social assistance to VoTs during the period of appointment and performance of functions;

3. Taking the necessary measures to effectively address the social problems of VoTs;

4. Promoting through provision of services the fullest possible restoration of victims’ abilities, improvement of the quality of their life and self-esteem, improvement of social adaptation and social integration of VoTs;

5. Taking into account the peculiarities of social work with minor VoTs;

6. Acting conscientiously and delicately when providing services to VoTs (especially minors), avoiding harm to their health and legitimate interests;

7. Maintaining the confidentiality of VoTs’ data (do not disclose information that became known in the course of work with VoTs) in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan;

8. Providing other assistance necessary to ensure effective social rehabilitation of VoTs;

9. On monthly basis providing general statistic information on support provided to beneficiaries;

10. On a quarterly basis, providing staff of the OSCE Anti-Trafficking Project with a report on the work done and the results of social assistance provided.

Deliverables:

• VoTs were provided with comprehensive, high-quality and effective social assistance;
• A completed report submitted on a quarterly basis on the results of the rendered social assistance to track the results of the services provided;
• The final report on the work done, submitted after the completion of all duties under this ToR.

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:

• Advanced university degree in the field of legal, social and/or related sciences;
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in providing social, legal and rehabilitation assistance to TiP victims;
• Good organizational and communication skills;
• Ability to work under stress and complete tasks under tight deadlines;
• Knowledge of Tajik and Russian languages;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;
• Experience working with international organizations will be an advantage;
• 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;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

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.