Project: Promoting community engagement, public safety, and Women empowerment for a resilient security sector in Kosovo
Implementing Partner: Jahjaga Foundation
Location: Kosovo (central institutions and northern municipalities: North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan)
Duration: 6–8 weeks
- Background
The Kosovo Women Security Network (KWSN) is a strategic initiative by the Jahjaga Foundation to strengthen women’s participation, leadership, and influence in Kosovo’s security sector. By establishing a sustainable platform for advocacy, mentorship, and collaboration, KWSN seeks to foster gender-inclusive institutional reforms, professional development, and community-centered security practices.
KWSN will engage women from key institutions, as well as underrepresented groups such as K-Serb women in northern municipalities. The network will also support policy advocacy through evidence-based policy briefs and foster dialogue between women professionals and decision-makers.
A baseline study is critical to provide empirical evidence for program design, operationalization, and long-term monitoring and evaluation of KWSN activities.
- Objective of the Baseline Study
The baseline study will:
- Assess the current level of women’s participation and leadership in Kosovo’s security institutions.
- Identify structural, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers to women’s engagement.
- Explore opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and policy influence.
- Provide evidence to inform KWSN operational frameworks, mentorship programs, and advocacy initiatives.
- Offer targeted recommendations for increasing K-Serb women’s representation in northern municipalities.
- Scope of Work
The expert will be responsible for:
A. Research Design and Methodology:
- Employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- Ensure the inclusion of women from security sector and K-Serb communities in northern municipalities.
B. Data Collection:
- In-depth Interviews – Minimum of 10 interviews with key stakeholders and female professionals from the institutions listed above.
- Online Survey – Up to 60 respondents from central and local security institutions to capture experiences, institutional perceptions, and career trajectories.
- Focus Group Discussions – With K-Serb women in northern municipalities to explore local security concerns and barriers to participation.
- Desk Review – Review relevant legislation, institutional reports, policies, statistical data, and best practices from regional contexts.
C. Data Analysis:
- Qualitative Analysis: Thematic analysis of interviews and focus groups to identify patterns, barriers, and opportunities.
- Quantitative Analysis: Statistical analysis of survey data, using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify trends and correlations.
- Deliverables
- Inception Report – Detailing methodology, tools, and work plan.
- Field Data Collection Completed – Including all survey, interview, and focus group data.
- Draft Baseline Report – Comprehensive draft submitted for review, including preliminary findings and recommendations.
- Final Baseline Report – Incorporating feedback, structured according to:
- Title of the Report
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary/Key Findings (400–700 words)
- Context Analysis (1,500 words)
- Successes and Challenges, Including Proposed Alternatives (2,000 words)
- Recommendations (700 words)
- References (interviews, survey, desk research sources)
All citations must be in endnotes, with footnotes reserved for clarifications. The final report should not exceed 4,500 words.
- Timeline and Milestones
| Milestone | Deliverable | Timeline |
| Week 1–2 | Inception report with methodology, work plan, and tools | Submission by end of Week 2 |
| Week 3–5 | Fieldwork completed (interviews, surveys, focus groups) | Submission of raw data by end of Week 5 |
| Week 6 | Draft baseline report | Submission for review by Jahjaga Foundation |
| Week 7–8 | Final baseline report | Submission incorporating feedback |
- Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced degree in Law, Security Studies, Public policy, Social Sciences, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in drafting reports and analysis, or policy research.
- Strong analytical, report-writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Knowledge of Kosovo’s security institutions, gender policies, and inter-ethnic dynamics is an advantage.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian is desirable.
- Reporting and Supervision
- The expert will report to the Project Manager at Jahjaga Foundation.
- Coordination with project staff for access to stakeholders, logistics, and data support.
- Regular progress updates and meetings to ensure alignment with project objectives.
- Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents to contact@jahjagafoundation.org no later than 19 October 2025 (23:59) with the email subject line: “Application – Baseline Study Expert KWSN”
The application must include:
- A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience;
- A technical proposal outlining the methodological approach and work plan;
- A financial proposal (in EUR, excluding VAT).
Note:
This activity is implemented within the framework of a project funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the MATRA and Human Rights Fund, implemented by the Jahjaga Foundation in partnership with BIRN Kosovo, ACDC, and PREVENT Institute.
The content of this call is the sole responsibility of the Jahjaga Foundation and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of the Netherlands.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
The Kosovo Women Security Network (KWSN), spearheaded by the Jahjaga Foundation, represents a strategic initiative to promote gender equality, professional development, and institutional reform within Kosovo’s security sector. By establishing a sustainable platform for advocacy, mentorship, and collaboration, the network aims to strengthen women’s representation, leadership, and influence in critical national institutions.
The baseline study will provide evidence-based insights to inform the operational framework of KWSN, guide mentorship programs, and support policy advocacy efforts. The study will focus on women working in key security institutions, as well as women from underrepresented communities, particularly K-Serb women in northern municipalities.
This research is essential to ensure that KWSN interventions are targeted, impactful, and aligned with broader goals of institutional resilience, inclusive governance, and community-centered security practices in Kosovo.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. This approach will allow for a comprehensive understanding of the barriers, opportunities, and institutional dynamics affecting women’s participation and career progression in Kosovo’s security sector.
DATA COLLECTION METHODS
In-depth Interviews:
- 10 in-depth interviews with female professionals and key decision-makers from the Kosovo Police, Kosovo Police Inspectorate, Kosovo Security Force, and the Correctional Service of Kosovo.
- These interviews will explore participants’ perspectives on institutional barriers, career advancement opportunities, mentorship, and the role of women in shaping security policies.
Online Survey:
- An online survey will be administered to up to sixty (60) women working across these security institutions.
- The survey will assess participants’ professional experiences, perceptions of gender integration, access to institutional support, and engagement in decision-making processes.
Focus Group Discussions:
- Structured focus groups will be conducted with K-Serb women in northern municipalities (North Mitrovica, Leposavić, Zubin Potok, Zvečan).
- These discussions will explore local security concerns, barriers to institutional access, and potential pathways for engagement in the security sector.
Desk Review:
- A comprehensive review of relevant policies, legislation, institutional reports, and statistical data on women’s participation in Kosovo’s security sector.
- Review of best practices and regional case studies will provide comparative insights to strengthen KWSN interventions.
DATA ANALYSIS
Qualitative Analysis:
- Data from in-depth interviews and focus groups will be transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.
- This method will identify recurring themes, institutional and cultural barriers, and opportunities for enhancing women’s engagement in security institutions.
Quantitative Analysis:
- Survey data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to identify trends, correlations, and patterns among participants.
- Results will provide evidence on the broader population of women in Kosovo’s security institutions and inform targeted program interventions.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study will address the following key questions:
- What is the current level of women’s participation and leadership in the security sector in Kosovo?
- What structural, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers limit women’s engagement in the security sector?
- What opportunities exist for mentorship, professional development, and career advancement for women in these institutions?
- How can KWSN effectively support women’s inclusion and influence policy reforms within the security sector?
- What targeted interventions are required to increase the participation and representation of K-Serb women in northern municipalities?
PAPER LENGTH, STRUCTURE, AND QUOTATION FORMAT
The final report should be concise and limited to 4,500 words, ensuring clarity and accessibility for stakeholders. The report should include the following sections:
- Title of the Report
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary/Key Findings (400–700 words)
- Context Analysis (1,500 words)
- Successes and Challenges, Including Proposed Alternatives (2,000 words)
- Recommendations (700 words)
- References: List of interviews, online survey responses, and desk research sources
All citations must appear as endnotes. Footnotes may be used only for additional clarifications on specific sections.