International Consultant – International Experts in Behavioural Detection, Interviewing and Profiling for Border Security and Law Enforcement (Roster Call)

Background:

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) adopts a comprehensive approach to security, addressing a wide range of challenges through its politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions. Through its 57 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation, the OSCE supports efforts to strengthen security, stability and co-operation across the OSCE area.
The OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), through its Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU), supports participating States Partners for Co-operationin strengthening their capacities to address transnational threats associated with cross-border movements, including the movement of suspected foreign terrorist fighters, high-risk individuals and persons involved in organized crime.
In response to evolving security challenges, TNTD/BSMU implements the OSCE-led Mobile Training Team (MTT) extra-budgetary project, which provides specialized, operationally focused training and capacity-building support to frontline border and law enforcement officers. The project aims to enhance national capacities to identify, prevent and respond to cross-border threats while ensuring respect for international human rights standards, gender-sensitive approaches, and applicable national and international legal frameworks.
The MTT programme consists of a comprehensive modular training curriculum covering five priority areas: Identity Management and Travel Document Security; Behavioural Detection and Interviewing Techniques; Crisis Management at Borders; Identifying and Addressing Trafficking in Small Arms, Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition; and Countering Trafficking in Human Beings.
The Behavioural Detection and Interviewing Techniques module aims to strengthen the capacity of frontline border and law enforcement officers to conduct professional interactions and interviews with travellers, identify potential security concerns, recognize indicators associated with suspected foreign terrorist fighters and perpetrators of cross-border crime, and identify persons requiring protection, including potential victims of trafficking and other vulnerable individuals.
The training promotes behavioural detection and interviewing as professional tools that support informed decision-making and risk assessment. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based approaches, avoidance of discriminatory practices, respect for privacy and human rights, and the application of gender- and age-sensitive considerations in border security and law enforcement contexts.
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat

Objective of Assignment:

The OSCE is seeking to establish a roster of qualified international consultants with expertise in behavioural detection, interviewing techniques and related professional assessment methodologies.
Roster experts will be engaged on a short-term basis to support capacity-building activities, including training delivery, advisory support, curriculum development, technical assistance, and other related activities implemented within border security and management projects and, where relevant, the wider law enforcement sector.
Applicants are requested to specify the following elements in their application:
• area(s) of expertise;
• relevant operational experience;
• geographical and regional experience;
• relevant professional qualifications and number of years of professional experience.
Inclusion in the roster does not constitute a guarantee of assignment. When specific consultancy opportunities arise, shortlisted experts will be contacted to confirm their availability and suitability. The selection process for individual assignments may include an additional assessment, an interview or a written test.

Duration of Assignment:

This is a roster call. Duration of the assignment depends on the tasks, deliverables, location and modality of each specific consultancy assigned.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The OSCE is seeking professionals with demonstrated expertise in behavioural analysis, interviewing techniques, border security, law enforcement interviewing and operational risk assessment.

Depending on the specific assignment, roster experts may be requested to:
1. Develop, adapt, update and tailor training materials, including presentations, practical exercises, case studies, role-play scenarios, checklists, assessment tools and other training-related resources;
2. Deliver specialized training courses and workshops for frontline border and law enforcement officers on topics including, but not limited to:
• Principles and limitations of behavioural detection and analysis;
• Identification and assessment of behavioural indicators in border environments;
• Observation and assessment techniques;
• Professional interviewing methodologies;
• Open-ended questioning and active listening techniques;
• Rapport-building approaches;
• Credibility assessment methodologies;
• Risk-based decision-making;
• Interviewing approaches in relation to persons suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities or organized crime;
• Identification and referral of vulnerable persons and potential victims of crime.

3. Design and facilitate scenario-based exercises and simulations reflecting operational border-control environments, including airports, land border crossing points, seaports and green/blue border areas;
4. Provide expert advice on integrating human rights principles, non-discrimination standards, privacy safeguards, and gender- and age-sensitive approaches into behavioural analysis and interviewing practices;
5. Support mentoring, coaching, knowledge transfer and training-of-trainers initiatives aimed at strengthening sustainable national training capacities;
6. Conduct training needs assessments and advisory missions;
7. Prepare technical reports, assessments and recommendations;
8. Contribute to regional conferences, workshops, expert meetings and professional exchanges.

Necessary Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's university degree in psychology, behavioural sciences, criminology, law, security studies, border management, law enforcement, public administration, international relations, or another relevant discipline.
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in border security, customs, police, immigration, aviation security, intelligence or another relevant law enforcement field. (Candidates with extensive professional experience and specialized qualifications in behavioural detection, interviewing, profiling or related operational fields may be considered in lieu of formal academic qualifications).
• Experience providing technical assistance, advisory support or capacity-building activities to law enforcement authorities, international organizations or donor-funded capacity-building projects is considered a strong asset;
• Experience developing scenario-based training exercises, simulations and practical learning activities for adult learners;
• Proven operational experience applying interviewing techniques in professional environments, including border control, investigations, intelligence gathering, security screening or related areas;
• Experience integrating human rights standards, ethical considerations, non-discrimination principles, and gender- and age-sensitive approaches into training and operational practices;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian will be considered an asset for activities implemented in Central Asia.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation and communication skills;
• Ability to work in multicultural and multinational environments;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and ability to integrate gender perspectives into training and operational activities;
• Willingness and ability to travel for assignments.

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.

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.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC001052
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: Multiple
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Jul 16, 2026
• Closing Date: Jul 30, 2026
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Rule of Law