Current Vacancies

.

Junior Non-key Expert for Qualitative in-depth research to support the 2024 Assessment against the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society

EU TACSO 3 – EU Civil Society Grants Database for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

Please apply by sending your CV in the standard EU format to opportunities@gdsi.ie by September 12, 2024, 15.00 CET time.

Please indicated in the subject line position your are applying for. 

 

Terms of Reference for Junior Non-key Expert for Qualitative in-depth research to support the 2024 Assessment against the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society

Time input:   Up to 23 working days during September – December 2024

Objectives and purpose of the TACSO 3 project: 

The overall objective of the Civil Society Facility, of which this EU TACSO 3 project is a part, is to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU approximation process in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*,1North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) and Türkiye. The main goal of EU TACSO 3 is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) to actively take part in the democratic processes and to stimulate an enabling environment for civil society and pluralistic media development. 

General background of this assignment: 

This capacity-building activity primarily refers to the CSOs’ organisational and operational capacity development area of the EU TACSO 3 project (Result Area no. 1).  

Quality of governance is essential for public trust in the civil society sector across the region, and trust is a key factor for the sustainability of the sector. However, the quality of CSO governance was identified as a challenge in the 2021 and 2023 Assessments against the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society which are conducted by the EU TACSO 3 project.

The EU TACSO 3 project initiated a series of capacity-building activities to stimulate exchanges of knowledge and experiences among CSOs and CSO networks from the WBT and EU on this topic, including the strengthening of capacities of the governing bodies members of the CSOs from the WBT region. Documentation from the previous events organised is available at the EU TACSO 3 online library. However, it is clear from the engagements with CSOs that there is little systematic understanding of the situation regarding CSO governance in the region, and little available research.

Up to date examples of good practice in CSO governance are needed in order to provide content for training and dissemination of good practice in governance more widely. The case studies need to go beyond a theoretical and normative approach, and to identify the issues and dilemmas faced by CSOs in real life, with practical lessons learned that correspond to good practice, and which can inspire other organisations.

Approach and Scope of Work: 

Under this assignment, research on governing bodies’ practices of CSOs and CSO networks acting in the WBT region will be conducted with the purpose of creating at least 3 case studies presenting the current practices, including the key features, advantages, and challenges, and the reasons why organisations decided on such a governing approach.

The case studies should present a variety of practices, including vertical and horizontal decision-making and different types of governing bodies. The geographical balance should also be considered when presenting examples from practice.

The set of lessons learned from practice and recommendations for other CSOs should also be prepared.

The EU TACSO 3 project will publish and promote the case studies, conclusions, and recommendations created. An online workshop will be organised to promote the research and its recommendations

The Junior Non-Key Expert (JNKE) is expected to conduct the following tasks:  

Task 1: Participate in a preparatory meeting with the EU TACSO 3 staff to discuss the approach to work, clarify expectations, provide guidelines, and agree on the deadlines.  The Expert is expected to prepare for a meeting by reviewing the available EU TACSO 3 documentation on the CSO governance events organised.

Task 2: Design a detailed methodological approach (methods, work plan) and submit it to EU TACSO 3 for approval. 

Task 3: Conduct research activities with the support of the EU TACSO 3 staff (provision of contacts, support in establishing contacts in the region, etc.).

Task 4: Draft key findings and structure of the case studies

  • The findings and structure of the case studies should be discussed and approved by the EU TACSO 3 project before the actual work on the development of case studies.

Task 5: Development of case studies

  • A draft of the case studies should be submitted to the EU TACSO 3 project for review before finalisation.

Task 6: Finalisation of case studies

Task 7: Presentation of the research process and case studies at the online promotional event organised by the EU TACSO 3 project.

Task 8: Preparation of the assignment report

Target Group: 

CSOs and CSO networks from the Western Balkans and Türkiye will be contacted to participate in this ad-hoc research activity by providing information and sharing their experiences on CSO governance in the region.

Time input requested: Up to 23 working days from September to December 2024.

Input and location: Preparation, delivery, and reporting on the activity will be conducted at the expert’s home base. 

 

Activities and Outputs

No. w/ 

days 

JNKE

Location

Indicative Timetable

Preparatory meeting with the EU TACSO 3 team of experts  (including preparation for the meeting)

0,5

0,5

Home-based

September 2024

Design of the detailed methodological approach   

 1 

1

Home-based

September 2024

Conduct research activities

9

9

Home-based

September – October 2024

Draft key findings and structure of the case studies

2

2

Home-based

October – November 2024

Development of case studies

6

6

Home-based

November 2024

Finalisation of case studies

3

3

Home-based

November – December 2024

Presentation at promotional event (including preparation of presentation)

1

1

Home-based

December 2024

Production of the assignment report 

0,5

0,5

Home-based

December 2024 

Total  

 23

23

 

 

Key Outputs of Assignment: 

  • Detailed methodological approach (methods, work plan, approach to identification of appropriate organisations for case studies);
  • A report detailing the governance approach and practices of at least 3 CSOs in the WBT region, including lessons learned and recommendations for other organisations;
  • A PowerPoint presentation of the case studies, lessons learned and recommendations;
  • Assignment report on the key activities of the assignment conducted. 

Task Management: The Expert will closely cooperate with and report to the Capacity Building Expert, the EU TACSO 3 Team Leader, and the GDSI Project Director. 

Required Profile of Expert: 

Junior Non-Key Expert (JNKE) will be engaged to conduct research activities and develop case studies on the CSO governing bodies good practices from the WBT region. The Expert should have the following educational background and professional experience: 

  1. Junior Non-Key Expert (JNKE) for the Preparation of the Case Studies on the CSO Governing Bodies good practices from the Western Balkans and Türkiye region

Qualification and skills: 

  • University degree in economics, finances, law, non-profit management, social sciences, education, political science, international relations, EU studies or equivalent (i.e. 8 years of professional experience following secondary education).
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills.
  • Fluency in English.
  • Fluency in at least one language of the WBT region.

General professional experience/competencies: 

  • At least 5 years of experience working in the civil society sector.
  • In-depth understanding of the state of civil society capacity in the WBT region.
  • Strong knowledge of the governing practices of the CSOs.

Specific professional experience: 

  • At least 3 years of practical experience in designing and implementing ad-hoc research activities.
  • At least 3 years of experience in working on organisational development issues with civil society from the WBT region.

Language Requirements: 

The primary language of the assignment is English, including communication and reporting to EU TACSO 3.