STA, National Legal Officer (NP2)

NOTE: This is a short-term appointment with an approximate duration until June 2027 in our filed office in Mostar.

Background:

Should you be selected for the post, you will be one of the four National Legal Officers (two based in HO, one in Mostar and one in Banja Luka) performing similar duties. You will be monitoring and analyzing domestic legislation and providing written and oral legal advice on various issues of draft and existing legislation, implementation regulatory frameworks and policy affecting human rights. Such advisory services are regularly required to be provided to Field Officers as well as Programmatic Advisors and Officers at Head Office and in the Field. National Legal Officers also provide targeted inputs for the Head of Human Dimension Department, Deputy Head, Legal Advisors, Human Rights Officers and other senior staff, as appropriate. National Legal Officers play a crucial role in ensuring that the Department is able to follow domestic legislation, identify key legal issues and human rights concerns, and plan appropriate responses, actions and advocacy steps. Legal assessments made by the National Legal Officers are important components for formulating and executing Department strategy. For the planning and implementation of any programmatic actions within the sphere of human rights, they are key staff that influence the quality of analysis and possibilities for informed and appropriate actions taken by the Human Rights Project.
 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Human Rights (S3), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Analyzing legal issues on human rights, as indicated by the supervisor or relevant advisers of the Human Rights Project, including, civil law (substantive and procedural), administrative law, laws on social protection, antidiscrimination and national human rights institutions, as well as Annex 7 related legal and policy framework and relevant court decisions; Reviewing domestic legislation and advises on compliance with international human rights standards;

2. Supervising and co-ordinating the work of National Programme Offìcers, Human Rights in monitoring and analyzing human rights issues in the field; or, analyzing and advising on national legislation;

3. Providing oral and written feedback and analysis on diverse human rights issues following the requests made by the Human Rights Officers and other members of the Human Rights Team in the field, including advice on individual cases;

4. Meeting with various international and domestic organizations and institutions and representing the Mission's position. Such meetings also serve to inform other organizations of the Mission's activities and ensure appropriate co-ordination with other organizations as necessary;

5. Performing other related duties, as required.    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level University Degree in Law (LLB), preferably with Bar Examination passed;

• A minimum of four (4) years of professional experience degree in domestic legal system, including experience in human rights work. A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the first-level university degree;

• Established ability to interpret, analyze and apply legislation to factual situations;

• Established knowledge of European and international human rights conventions;

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;

• Professional fluency in English and in local languages with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;

• Holding a valid driving license.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 4,205 BAM /month. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna health insurance scheme.
 

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment.

This position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

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.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 62 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.