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 for the preparation and presentation of the TACSO report on cooperation between
CSOs and the governments/parliaments in the Western Balkans and Turkey
Regional Office in Sarajevo
Organisation
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 the project Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations (TACSO).
The EU-funded project (EuropeAid/127427/C/SER/Multi - additional services) 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 the 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 Report
TACSO will hold a regional conference “Keeping up the Momentum: Civil Society Cooperation with
Institutions in the Western Balkans and Turkey” in Skopje from 07-08 November 2012. In
preparation for that conference, we plan to publish a report on cooperation between CSOs and the
governments/parliaments in the Western Balkans and Turkey.
The Position
The expert will be expected to research and write the report during the period between June and
September 2012, so that the report can be finalised and published in mid of the October 2012. In
addition, the expert will be expected to present the report at the November 2012 conference.
Research and preparation of the report
S/he will be involved in desk research in at least six stages of the process:
 Developing the content of the report and research plan
 Developing a questionnaire (content/structure, format and common methodology) for
TACSO Resident Advisors in each country
 Implementing Skype interviews with key players in the Parliament, Government, TACSO Local
Advisory Groups (LAG), TACSO Resident Advisors, CSOs and the donor community
* 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.
Analysing the 2011 TACSO Needs Assessments, other key relevant documents on the
situation in the region, the TACSO Resident Advisors’ responses to the questionnaire, the
results of the Skype interviews and other related information
Preparing the draft report, including a comparison of cooperation between CSOs and the
government/parliament in the region
Preparing the final report after consultation with the TACSO team.
Presentation of report
The expert will also present the final report during the regional conference “Keeping up the
Momentum: Civil Society Cooperation with Institutions in the Western Balkans and Turkey” in Skopje
from 07-08 November 2012.
Qualifications, experience and competences
We are looking for an expert with extensive experience in working with the CSO and
government/parliamentary environments.
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 has to be ready to do the “leg work” of actually doing the research and have excellent
analytical skills

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 in the administration of projects
 Experience in working for international organsations/projects.
 Experience with the CSO environment in the Western Balkans 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 20 days of analytical research work, interviews, preparation, writing,
consulting and finalising of the report. Additional days have been budgeted for the preparation of a
presentation on the report for the Skopje conference (one day) and for the presentation of the
report at the conference (two days). Total 23 days.
Please note that we are looking for a candidate who can start immediately after contracting, no
later than 20 June 2012. If you are not in a position to do this, please do not apply.
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) two examples of analysis/reports, preferably in the required field, and
5) a proposal for the content of this research (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 05
June, 2012.
For more information, please contact the Civil Society Capacity Building Coordinator
sanela.klaric@tacso.org.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applicants who have not heard from TACSO by 15 June
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