Expert for drafting report “The right to monitor peaceful assemblies in the OSCE region: experiences from the field” (SSA)

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.

Freedom of peaceful assembly constitutes a key part of OSCE’s human dimension commitments and is one of the important issues ODIHR is addressing through its monitoring and capacity building activities aimed at assisting participating States in complying with human dimension commitments. 

In addition, ODIHR has been engaged in supporting the work of civil society organizations, which are monitoring freedom of peaceful assembly across the OSCE region. The report The right to monitor peaceful assemblies in the OSCE region: experiences from the field will reflect on the experiences of assembly monitors in various participanting States and will elaborate on the obstacles, challenges and efforts put in place by state authorities to faciliate their work.  

The report will be developed based on the desk research, legislative analysis and interviews with civil society organizations from diverse OSCE participating States. It will serve as an informative document to bring attention of public authorities to the challenges which the monitors are experiencing, while also emphasising the important contribution of the civil society organizations in ensuring stronger respect of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

 

Objective of Assignment: 

ODIHR requires the services of an experienced Expert to act as lead drafter of the report: "The right to monitor peaceful assemblies in the OSCE region: experiences from the field".

 

Duration of Assignment:

27 days 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of Human Rights Advisor/Monitoring and Response Co-ordinator, the Consultant will act as lead drafter of the report: "The right to monitor peaceful assemblies in the OSCE region: experiences from the field", and in particular:

 

1. Develop a proposed Outline by, including the table of contents and methodology for the report and submit to ODIHR as the first component of this assignment. The Outline should be up to 2 pages;
2. Discuss the Outline with ODIHR and incorporate the agreed comments;
3. Prepare the initial draft of the report (not exceeding 20 pages) according to the agreed Outline based on the desk research and interviews with civil society organizations, facilitated with assistance of the Human Rights Adviser / Monitoring and Response Co-ordinator;
4. Discuss the first draft of the report with the ODIHR’s Human Rights Department and incorporate the agreed oral and written comments in the second draft of the report.
5. Discuss the second draft of the report with the ODIHR’s Human Rights Department and incorporate the final comments and edits.

 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in law, the social sciences, or related field;
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience;
• Sound understanding of freedom of assembly related challenges in the OSCE participating States;
• Good knowledge of the relevant international human rights standards and OSCE commitments;
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing and applying international human rights standards;
• Excellent research and drafting skills;
• Experience with conducting interviews as part of research projects is desirable;
• Flexibility and demonstrated ability to work under minimum supervision, under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Gender and diversity awareness and sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender / diversity perspective into tasks and activities;
• Computer literacy;
• Professional fluency and excellent drafting skills in English;
• Russian language knowledge is desirable.

 

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.