Deputy Head, Democratization Department

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.

In furtherance of the Office's mandate to promote and develop awareness of and adherence to the OSCE human dimension commitments, the OSCE/ODIHR Democratization Department serves as a source of support and expertise to the OSCE field operations and participating States in five substantive areas: Rule of Law, Legislative Support, Migration/Freedom of Movement, Democratic Governance and Gender. It is mandated to strengthen the capacity of the ODIHR as an institution in addressing human dimension issues across the OSCE region by supporting and assisting state authorities in implementing their human dimension commitments and by providing them with specific human dimension expertise, best practices and implementing regional activities and facilitating the transfer of best practices throughout the OSCE area as a whole.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Democratization Department, the Deputy Head of the Democratization Department performs the following functions:

1. Identifying priority areas for ODIHR programmatic activities, target groups and the most effective means for tackling key areas of concern;
2. Providing advice to the ODIHR management and departments on strategies for promoting and supporting democratization processes;
3. Responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of projects covering a wide range of topics related to the implementation of human dimension commitments in the area of democratization;
4. Analysing political changes and trends in emerging democracies that may affect the planning of democratization activities;  formulating, initiating and developing conceptual approaches for the implementation of the democratization programme and projects;
5. Writing project and programme concepts and summaries for review by partner organizations and donor institutions to ensure continued funding of ODIHR's activities;
6. Managing administrative aspects of the Democratization Department;
7. Providing supervision of the Migration and Freedom of Movement Unit to guide and ensure the outcomes of the department professional staff assigned responsibilities for project development, implementation and evaluation in the area of migration/freedom of movement and related issues;
8. Co-ordinating activities with other departments and with other OSCE institutions, OSCE field operations and international organizations; Representing ODIHR and OSCE at regional and other meetings;
9. Performing other related duties as required.

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

• Second-level university degree in international relations; law; political science; social sciences public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in international relations, law, human rights, political science or public administration;
• Management experience is essential;
• Demonstrated experience in project management;
• Thorough knowledge of human rights and democracy-building issues is essential;
• Established knowledge of the functioning of political institutions and government offices is required;
• Knowledge of and experience in democratization issues in the OSCE area;
• Professional fluency in the English language, with excellent written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of other OSCE languages is desirable;
• Field experience and international organization experience desirable;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
• Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
• Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 5,998 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include possibility of 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 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://jobs.osce.org/vacancies.

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 qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

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.

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