Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate. 

The purpose of the Democratization Department’s Rule of Law Unit is to strengthen the supremacy and legitimacy of law in compliance with OSCE principles and international law within the human dimension. Towards that end, the Rule of Law unit conducts projects and provides assistance in the areas of Judicial Independence and Accountability, Fair Trial Rights and Trial Monitoring, Criminal Justice Reforms, Prosecutorial Independence, Administrative Justice, Rule of Law Education of Youth, and Gender, Diversity and Justice throughout the OSCE Region. As a Rule of Law Adviser, the incumbent will advise the Chief, Rule of Law Unit, on designing and managing the implementation of all ODIHR rule of law activities, with delegated responsibility for certain portfolios.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Chief, Rule of Law Unit, the incumbent performs the following functions:

1. Designing ODIHR rule of law programmes and managing administrative and financial aspects of Extra-Budgetary projects in one or several of the following areas: Judicial Independence and Accountability, Fair Trial Rights and Trial Monitoring, Criminal Justice Reforms, Prosecutorial Independence, Administrative Justice, Rule of Law Education of Youth, and Gender, Diversity and Justice;
2. Co-ordinating and undertaking research and analysis activities on specific rule of law issues;
3. Following political and legal developments in selected OSCE participating States, providing briefings to the ODIHR management and OSCE officials on rule of law issues;
4. Administering and implementing rule of law projects and activities, evaluating the outcomes and impact;
5. Providing rule of law advice and expertise to ODIHR management and the OSCE field operations;
6. Representing ODIHR at international conferences, seminars and expert meetings, including providing expertise and presentations on ODIHR rule of law activities;
7. Performing other duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see https://www.osce.org/odihr

Necessary qualifications

• First-level university degree in Law;
• Minimum of six years of professional work experience in law, rule of law development or public administration, and at least three years of experience specifically in rule of law development in a country in transition to democracy;
• Good knowledge of public international law, constitutional law and comparative legal systems;
• Knowledge of human rights and democracy-building issues is essential;
• Knowledge of the functioning of political institutions and Government offices;
• Ability to advise high-level officials on the rule of law and legal policy issues;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English with good legal writing skills is required; knowledge of another OSCE language, particularly Russian, would be a valuable asset;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, ethical awareness and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 6,800 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee’s salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

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, to offer an appointment at a lower grade 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.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.

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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years. The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The organisation shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.