29 CHAPTER 3 Choosing an Institutional Model While the different types of trial-monitoring programmes as described in Chapter 1.4.1 refer to monitoring methodologies based on a programme’s scope, aims, manner of operation and outcomes, the institutional models for trial monitoring described in this chapter refer only to the structure of the team carrying out these activities. There are a number of institutional models through which a trial-monitoring programme may be established and supported. This chapter provides a comparative overview of these institutional models, based upon the OSCE’s experience. The resources available to an organization in a given field setting, including staff and funding, will heavily influence the choice of an institutional model. Nevertheless, consideration must be given to how particular models will best fulfil a programme’s aims, as well as the intended scope and duration of trial-monitoring operations. The results of the preliminary assessment and its evaluation of in-country conditions, organizational capacities and access will provide a basis for choosing the appropriate institutional model. Two basic institutional trial-monitoring models have been utilized most commonly within the OSCE context: the staff model and the project model. 3.1 Staff model A trial-monitoring programme using the staff model operates within and as part of an organization’s existing field operation. Monitors and other programme personnel, therefore, are staff members of the organization and are subject to regular hiring processes, management supervision and other obligations. For some operations, this may also confer on the monitor an official or quasi-diplomatic status, based on the status of the organization. Operationally, staff models may benefit from the use of existing support structures, such as field offices, means of transport, computers and other resources. Staff models are also subject to the planning or budgetary cycles of the organization and, thus, may be subject to annual review processes. The staff model has been used by several OSCE field operations, primarily in South-Eastern Europe. Overall, OSCE field operations have engaged in trial monitoring under their specific mandates, which provide a legal basis for human rights monitoring, supporting judicial reform and/or confidence-building activities. The staff model has been utilized by six OSCE field operations in the region: the Presence in Albania, the Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Mission to Croatia 32 , the Mission in Kosovo, the Mission to Serbia and the Mission to Skopje. As a result of the legal status and history of these field operations, monitors are viewed as staff of an international organization. Likewise, in issuing reports, making recommendations, and engaging in advocacy, staff models are supported by the mandate and particular political role of the field operation in question. Within OSCE staff-model programmes, supervision is usually provided by international staff, with monitoring teams comprised of international or local staff, or a combination of both. In all of these 32  The OSCE opened its first field presence in the country, the Mission to Croatia, in April 1996. The Mission was closed at the end of 2007, to be replaced by the OSCE Office in Zagreb, which opened on 1 January 2008. Following a decision by the 56 OSCE participating States that the Office’s mandate had been successfully completed, it was closed on 17 January 2012.