The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE’s role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of conflict, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security.

Since 2002, the OSCE has been supporting the establishment and operations of Aarhus Centres, through the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the OSCE Field Operations. With the aim to provide a platform to engage citizens, governments and the private sector in a dialogue on environmental challenges, the Aarhus Centres (known as “Public Environmental Information Centres” in some countries) support the implementation of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention).

The Aarhus Centres network has been rapidly growing over the years, with currently more than fifty Centres established in 16 countries in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia.

In 2021, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, promoted the elaboration of a Strategy and Action Plan to improve the efficiency of the Aarhus Centres and Public Environmental Information Centres. Among other long-term strategic goals to be achieved by 2027, the new Strategy indicates the need to achieve financial self-sustainability. For the majority of Aarhus Centres, the self-sustainable prospects are particularly uncertain: the OCEEA, as well as the OSCE Field Operations, are continuing to promote the functions of Aarhus Centres and Public Environmental Information Centres. However, for the Aarhus Centres to continue their operations in an effectively manner, it is necessary to explore the existence of other funding channels to improve their impact and their action on the ground.

Objective Of Assignment

To develop an Action Plan on effective fundraising and crowdfunding strategies for the Aarhus Centres, and conduct a one-day training course during the 2022 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting.

Duration Of Assignment

10 working days between June and October

Tasks And Responsibilities

In close consultation with the Environmental Governance Officer, the international expert will:

• Develop a fundraising Action Plan for the Aarhus Centres to improve fundraising and crowdfunding capacities of their staff and to channel the fundraising activities in a effective way;
• Develop materials and modules for a one-day training on fundraising and financial sustainability of the Aarhus Centres;
• Conduct the one-day training during the 2022 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting in Vienna, tentatively in September-October 2022 (the meeting will be organized in a blended format);
• Provide any further assistance as needed.
  

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat

Deliverables

• Fundraising Action Plan for the Aarhus Centres, with clear indication of concrete steps and activities to be carried out by the Centres;
• One-day training course on fundraising and financial sustainability at the 2022 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting.
  

Necessary Qualifications

• First-level university degree or higher in Economicd, International law, or other relevant disciplines;
• Minimum 3 years of experience in fundraising planning, strategic planning, project/programme management, sustainability, preferably at international level;
• Experience in the development of Action Plans and Strategic documents for NGOs, non-profit organizations, civil society;
• Experience in the field of environment and sustainable development would be an asset;
• Outstanding analytical, drafting and communication skills;
• 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;
• Professional fluency in English including excellent communication and drafting skills; knowledge of another OSCE language would be an asset;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  

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.