Rule of Law Officer

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at OSCE/ODIHR 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 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.

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, Administrative Justice and Gender, Diversity and Justice throughout the OSCE Region.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Rule of Law Unit, the Rule of Law Officer performs the following duties:

1. Designing and implementing ODIHR Rule of Law programme activities, including the management of administrative and financial aspects;
2. Providing legal advice and expertise to the ODIHR, the OSCE institutions and field operations on human dimension areas related to the rule of law;
3. Coordinating and undertaking research and analysis on specific rule of law issues;
4. Representing ODIHR at international conferences, seminars and expert meetings including providing expertise and presentations on ODIHR rule of law activities;
5. Following political and legal developments in selected OSCE participating States;
6. Performing other related duties as assigned.

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

• First-level university degree in Law;
• At least six years (full-time equivalent) of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the field of 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.
• 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;
• Professional Fluency in the English language;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Working knowledge of Russian and other OSCE languages is an asset.

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 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 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.

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

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.