Rule of Law Officer

Background:

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights 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 activities and provides assistance in the areas of Judicial Independence and Accountability, Fair Trial and Trial Monitoring, Criminal Justice Reforms, and Administrative Justice throughout the OSCE Region.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Rule of Law Unit of the Democratization Department, the Rule of Law Officer is responsible for:

• Conducting research, analysis, and assessments on rule of law issues with a particular focus on criminal justice reforms, ;
• Monitoring political and rule of law developments in the OSCE region, particularly in the countries where ODIHR carries out programmes, providing briefings to the ODIHR and OSCE officials on rule of law issues;
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating ODIHR projects and activities in the area of criminal justice reforms, including the organisation of Criminal Justice Forum in Central Asia;
• Providing professional advice and expertise to ODIHR, the OSCE institutions and field operations, governmental and non-governmental agencies in the participating States;
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• University degree in Law.
• Minimum of six years of professional work experience, in law, rule of law development or policy issues relating to law, and at least three years of experience specifically in rule of law development in a country in transition to democracy.
• Sound knowledge of international human rights and fair trial standards is essential.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, knowledge of Russian or other OSCE working languages would be an asset.
• Working experience as a practicing legal professional would be an asset;
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement.
• Good project development and implementation skills.
• Ability to advise high-level officials on the rule of law and legal policy issues.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective.

How to apply:

This post is open for secondment. Candidates are requested to apply through the OSCE desk of the respective Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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 shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation.

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