National Consultants/Experts on Penitentiary System Reform and Torture Prevention (Roster call)

Information

Common information

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek remains a reliable partner to the Kyrgyz Republic in fulfilling its human dimension commitments. Specifically, the POiB provides support in promoting penitentiary system reform and contributing to the prevention of torture prevention with a special focus on:

• Implementation of the host State’s OSCE commitments in the field of penitentiary system reform and combating torture in the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Implementation of the State Programme on Penitentiary and Probation Systems Reform for 2024-2028;
• Prevention of violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (hereinafter “VERLT”) and the promotion of rehabilitation programmes in prisons;
• Strengthening the capacity of the state authorities, civic society organizations and other stakeholders in the field of penitentiary system reform and torture prevention in closed and semi-closed facilities;
• Aligning national legislation, policy and practice with international obligations on torture prevention bу boosting со-ореrаtiоn and dialogue between state authorities and civil society;
• Enhancing the capacity of key actors such as the National Center for the prevention of torture (hereinafter “NCPT”), civil society organizations and State institutions in combating torture in Kyrgyzstan.

Objective of Assignment: 

The POiB is establishing a roster of suitable candidates to support the implementation of the human dimension programme. The consultants will be engaged in projects aimed at promoting penitentiary system reform, contributing to torture prevention, and providing expertise in one or more of the following fields:

• Penitentiary system reform;
• Prevention of VERLT (Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism);
• Rehabilitation programmes in prisons;
• Monitoring of semi-closed and closed facilities;
• Torture prevention.

Qualification requirements

• University degree in political sciences, social sciences, law, education or a related field;
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in the field of human rights, penitentiary systems, or related fields;
• In-depth understanding of the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, with a focus on issues related to torture and ill-treatment;
• Experience working on issues related to the penitentiary system and/or torture prevention is highly desirable;
• Knowledge of international standards and Kyrgyz domestic legislation related to torture prevention, VERLT, and human rights;
• Proven experience in legislative drafting and legal analysis;
• Experience in conducting an independent evaluation of projects/programmes/national strategic documents etc;
• Experience in conducting capacity-building activities for law-enforcement bodies on topics related to VERLT prevention, the introduction of rehabilitation programmes in prisons, and monitoring of closed facilities;
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with experience in developing analytical materials and reports;
• Full computer literacy, with proficiency in relevant software and tools;
• Professional fluency in Russian (both oral and written) with excellent communication skills; professional fluency in English and Kyrgyz would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

Duties

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Programme Manager and the Rule of Law Officer, national consultants will provide consultancy/expertise and contribute to reaching the above objectives by:

• Conducting needs assessment and surveys in the field of the penitentiary system, prevention of VERLT in prisons, and the promotion of rehabilitation programmes in closed facilities;
• Providing expert support to the Penitentiary System in conducting capacity-building activities on topics related to the prevention of VERLT in prisons and rehabilitation programmes.
• Providing expert support to the Penitentiary System in the development and approbation of rehabilitation programmes for inmates serving sentences in closed facilities;
• Offering expert support to the Ombudsperson’s Office, the NCPT, and civil society organisations in collecting and documenting human rights violations in closed and semi-closed facilities, including cases of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and reviewing the compliance (non-compliance) of national legislation/practices with international norms in relation to the violation of detainees' and prisoners' fundamental freedoms and human rights;
• Providing expert support to promote the human rights of detainees through legal consultations;
• Supporting the Ombudsperson’s Office and the NCPT in conducting independent monitoring visits to law enforcement, social and medical closed and semi-closed facilities and producing brief summary reports on key findings following each visit;
• Writing analytical and situational reports on the state of torture and ill-treatment in closed and semi-closed facilities in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as on legislative developments affecting the fight against torture in the country;
• Contributing to the consolidated analytical report, if any, prepared by the Coalition against Torture in Kyrgyzstan by providing relevant data, analysis, and specific recommendations on legislative developments on torture-related issues, compliance with international standards and recommendations made by relevant UN bodies, findings from monitoring visits;
• Facilitating and providing expert support to the events such as round-tables, conferences related to the penitentiary system’s challenges and torture prevention-related issues in the Kyrgyz Republic.

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

Conditions

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, /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.