Legal Adviser

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communication and Media Relations, Legal Affairs, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Affairs, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Prague Office. The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General. The OSG is led by a Director who also functions as the Head of Executive Management.

Legal Affairs develops and strengthens the overall regulatory framework of the OSCE, advising on its implementation and responding to requests for legal advice OSCE-wide with respect to international public law, international civil service law, financial and contractual matters, as well as to legal issues related to the structure and activities of the OSCE.   

Under the general supervision of the Head, Office of  Legal Affairs, the Legal Adviser supports the work of Legal Affairs by providing legal advice to the Secretariat, to the field operations, to the Institutions, to the Chairmanship and to the Delegations on all legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the Organization. Specifically, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Providing legal advice on issues arising in relation to early conflict warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post conflict rehabilitation, including by participating in task forces;
2. Providing legal advice on issues concerning the legal status and privileges and immunities of the OSCE and its officials;
3. Reviewing, providing legal advice in the negotiation and interpretation of legal instruments, such as agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other legal materials relevant to the work of the Organization;
4. Providing legal advice on representation or procedure in the OSCE decision-making bodies;
5. Providing legal advice on the elaboration, review, interpretation and application of the regulatory framework of the Organization, including Staff Regulations, Rules, Instructions, Financial Regulations and other administrative issuances;
6. Providing legal advice in the negotiation or interpretation of contracts, such as for the lease of premises, as well as on issues concerning intellectual property rights and insurance;
7. Providing legal advice on dispute resolution, including by examining claims by or against the Organization and its officials;
8. Performing extensive legal research and analysis for the  preparation of legal opinions, studies, reports or correspondence;
9. Performing other related duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat.

• First-level degree in law, with specialization in public international law;
• A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of two years at the international level;
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills;
• Professional fluency in English, with excellent oral and drafting skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, particularly German, is desirable;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply for this internship opportunity, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies. Please mention your availability dates in the cover letter.

Only those applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment 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 retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or offer an internship with modified terms of reference or a different duration.

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.

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