Witness Engagement Consultant – Ukraine Monitoring Initiative (roster, SSA)

Background:
 

As the main OSCE institution concerned with the Human Dimension of security, ODIHR is tasked, inter alia, with assisting OSCE participating States in the implementation of their Human Dimension commitments (Helsinki 1992). ODIHR’s monitoring mandate is based on a number of commitments (Helsinki 1992, Budapest 1994, Oslo 1998, Maastricht 2003). Moreover, ODIHR serves as a point of contact for information provided by participating States (Rome 1993), and participating States have expressed their determination to co-operate within the OSCE and with its institutions and representatives in a spirit of solidarity and partnership in a continuing review of implementation (Istanbul 1999).

ODIHR assists OSCE participating States with implementing their Human Dimension commitments, which includes human rights monitoring and capacity building of State and non-State actors in nine thematic portfolios. The objective of ODIHR’s Human Rights Monitoring Fund is to collect thematic and country-based information on the human rights situation in participating States based on OSCE commitments and international human rights standards, identify areas of concern, and develop targeted, gender-sensitive recommendations to OSCE participating States on how to address the identified gaps.

The international armed conflict following the invasion by the Russian Federation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, has led to widespread civilian suffering, with mounting evidence of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL).  

In order to fulfil its mandate, since 24 February 2022, ODIHR has undertaken a comprehensive monitoring initiative – the Ukraine Monitoring Initiative (UMI) – focusing on the most pressing issues affecting civilians and prisoners of war. As part of the monitoring, ODIHR deploys teams of monitors to interview witnesses and survivors of IHL and IHRL violations, including internally displaced persons, humanitarian workers, journalists, prisoners of war and former prisoners of war, representatives of local authorities, and others who may have information of relevance to the monitoring initiative. ODIHR may seek to conduct monitoring in other countries or other regions of Ukraine in the future.
 

Objective of Assignment: 
 

The Witness Engagement Consultant will support ODIHR deployments with identifying and engaging witnesses of alleged IHL and IHRL violations to be interviewed by ODIHR within the framework of the Ukraine Monitoring Initiative. 

Duration of Assignment:
 

roster selection

Tasks and Responsibilities:
 

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Human Rights Department and in close cooperation with the Monitoring Team Leader, the Witness Engagement Consultant will:

 

1.  Liaise with the Team Leader and the UMI team to determine the most appropriate profile of interviewees for a given mission;

2. Liaise with relevant actors on the ground and provide them with information about the monitoring initiative, with a view to identifying suitable interviewees;

3. Contact and vet potential interviewees;

4. Collect, organize and present information about potential interviewees in the pre-agreed format to the Monitoring Team Leader in advance of the monitoring mission;

5. Assist with arranging interviewees’ travel between their place of residence and the interview venue, including any required overnight accommodation;

6. Assist interviewees with the transfer of relevant media in their possession (via safe digital transfer applications) to ODIHR digital storage platforms;

7. Be present at the interview venue for the duration of the interviews; 

8. Organise and conduct meetings with representatives of non-governmental organisations, authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the mission area if needed; 

9. Advise the Team Leader and the monitoring team on the most appropriate profiles of interviewees for future deployments;

10. Participate in briefings prior to and upon completion of deployments.
     

Necessary Qualifications:

• A minimum first level university degree in law, history, social sciences, international relations, or other related field; 
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience (previous experience in civil society or in the human rights sector will be considered an asset); 
• Demonstrated understanding of human rights issues arising from the international armed conflict, as well as displacement patterns affecting refugees and IDPs;
• Good knowledge of the local context regarding Ukrainian refugees/IDPs; 
• Good awareness of the situation and developments pertaining to the international armed conflict in the wider region; 
• Established relations with civil society actors, communities, and human rights activists;
• Good understanding of the nature and work of international organizations, including ODIHR’s mandate in relation to the international armed conflict in Ukraine;
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, both oral and written;
• Availability for travel within the country of operation;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; 
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks;
• Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
   

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.