Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union.
Technical Assistance Service Contract for the Implementation of the Project
“Capacity Building of Civil Society in the IPA Countries and Territories”
TERMS OF REFERENCE
CSO expert(s) for the preparation and presentation of a key topic during the regional civil society
conference “FOR EUROPE OF THE WESTERN BALKANS AND TURKEY” in Zadar from 27-28
September 2012.
Regional Office in Sarajevo
Background
The technical assistance service contract for the implementation of “Capacity Building of Civil Society
in the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Countries and Territories” (Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*,1Montenegro, Serbia and
Turkey) otherwise known as Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations (TACSO) is an EUfunded project (EuropeAid/127427/C/SER/Multi - additional services) that is led by SIPU International
AB on behalf of a consortium from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Poland and Romania.
The Project
The general objectives of the project are to strengthen the overall capacities and accountability of
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) within the IPA beneficiaries and to guarantee the quality of services
of CSOs and a sustainable role of CSOs in the democratic process. The main purposes of the project
are to increase and improve the capacity and actions of CSOs and to improve the democratic role of
CSOs. More information can be found on the TACSO Web site.
The Conference
TACSO project together with European Citizens Action Service (ECAS), EC Directorate General for
Enlargement and National Foundation for Civil Society Development Croatia will hold a regional Civil
Society conference “FOR EUROPE OF THE WESTERN BALKANS AND TURKEY” scheduled from 27-28
September 2012 in Zadar, Croatia.
This event will bring together civil society representatives, government representatives and EU
officials to examine the broad trends in the reform process which are necessary for a participatory
democracy and a sustainable civil society.
There will be three main themes for debate:
- Benchmarking progress across the region.
- Sustainability of civil society in the medium-term.
- The outlook for EU policies towards the region.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration
of independence.
TACSO Regional Office • Potoklinica 16 • 71 000 Sarajevo • t: +387 33 532 757 • f: +387 33 532 757 • e-mail: info@tacso.org
SIPU International AB Sweden • Civil Society Promotion Centre Bosnia and Herzegovina • Human Resource Development Foundation Turkey
Foundation in Support of Local Democracy Poland • Partners Foundation for Local Development Romania
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union.
It is expected that the event will attract around 130 participants from the Western Balkans and
Turkey.
The Position
The expert(s) will be involved in the following process:
1. Preparation of a presentation for the Zadar conference in accordance with speaking points
provided by the TACSO Regional Office team,
2. Finalisation of the presentation in coordination with the TACSO Civil Society Capacity Building
Coordinator, and
3. Delivery of the presentation during the two-day conference, and playing an active role during
the plenary discussions and during the rest of the conference.
Qualifications, experience and competences
We are looking for the expert with extensive experience in working in the CSO and
government/parliamentary environments on the topic “CSOs and Citizen’s Participation in Decision
Making Processes in the IPA Region”:
Qualifications and experience
 The expert is expected to have an international background and a Master’s degree in a field
related to CSO development (or an additional five years of professional experience to the
requirements in the next paragraph – i.e. a total of 15 years of professional experience, and
10 years of specific professional experience).

The expert should have a minimum of ten years of professional experience and a minimum of
five years of specific experience working on CSO cooperation with institutions in the Western
Balkans and Turkey. In particular, s/he should have a good reputation and proven track
record in the field of CSO Government / Parliament cooperation.

S/he must be a dynamic presenter, and have previous experience in presenting at
international conferences/other events.

S/he must be fluent in written and spoken English language.

Previous experience working with the EU IPA grant schemes will be an advantage.
Expected competences:
 Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
 Excellent analytical skills
 Excellent written and spoken English
 Excellent presentation skills
 Experience working for international organisations/projects
 Experience with the CSO environment in the Western Balkans and/or Turkey
 Excellent computer skills.
TACSO Regional Office • Potoklinica 16 • 71 000 Sarajevo • t: +387 33 532 757 • f: +387 33 532 757 • e-mail: info@tacso.org
SIPU International AB Sweden • Civil Society Promotion Centre Bosnia and Herzegovina • Human Resource Development Foundation Turkey
Foundation in Support of Local Democracy Poland • Partners Foundation for Local Development Romania
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union.
Assignment
The work is expected to include two days of analytical research work for the supplementary paper
and new analysis for reflection to the Manual “CSOs and Citizens’ Participation” published on the
TACSO Web site in July 2011. An additional three days will be dedicated to the preparation and the
delivery of the presentation during the conference. The total number of days will be five.
Contact information.
The application must include:
1) a motivation letter (no longer than two pages), addressing each of the points raised in the
“Qualifications, experience and competences” section above and outlining remuneration
expectations,
2) an updated EU standard CV with photo,
3) information on three references,
4) one example of a presentation in the required field, and
5) an outline proposal for the content of the presentation (no longer than two pages).
The application must be sent in English by e-mail to TL@tacso.org no later than 11:00 hrs. on 01
August 2012.
For more information, please contact the Civil Society Capacity Building Coordinator info@tacso.org.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applicants who have not heard from TACSO by 10
August 2012 should assume that their applications have not been successful.
TACSO Regional Office • Potoklinica 16 • 71 000 Sarajevo • t: +387 33 532 757 • f: +387 33 532 757 • e-mail: info@tacso.org
SIPU International AB Sweden • Civil Society Promotion Centre Bosnia and Herzegovina • Human Resource Development Foundation Turkey
Foundation in Support of Local Democracy Poland • Partners Foundation for Local Development Romania