Deputy Head, Legal Affairs

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

• Second-level university degree in law or significant work experience in criminal justice and/or law enforcement (the latter required for police corrections officer training)
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Experience in the practice of law, e.g. judges, prosecutors, lawyers, etc.
• Knowledge of courtroom proceedings and criminal law and procedure
• Knowledge of international legal procedure standards and instruments
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree, certified training course in a relevant field desirable

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the actual position

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Proven supervisory skills;
• Excellent knowledge of International Law;
• Proven experience drafting and/or reviewing legislation and legal texts;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to take into account various policy implications and identify strategic issues for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (Mission);
• Discretion and sound judgment in applying expertise to resolve sensitive and/or complex issues for the Mission;
• Professional fluency in English language;
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical and communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and e-mail.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of substantive law applied in the Mission area;
• Knowledge of relevant international agreements and directives applicable to the  Mission;
• Previous experience in an international environment;
• Previous experience in field missions;
• Knowledge of the regional political and cultural situation;
• Working knowledge of the local language(s) spoken in the Mission area.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Legal Affairs, the Deputy Head of Legal Affairs will be tasked with:

1. Assisting the Head of Legal Affairs in directing and supervising the work and staff of the Office of Legal Affairs and acting as the Head of Legal Affairs in his/her absence;
2. Providing legal advice and analysis a) on the interpretation of all areas of the Mission  mandate, inter alia, human rights, democratization, media, elections, police and public safety training; b) on issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the Mission; and c) with respect to the general applicable law in the Mission area;
3. Assisting the Head of Legal Affairs in co-ordinating and supervising and, as appropriate, undertaking research and studying legal precedents related to the function, structure and activities of the Mission, inter alia the areas set out in the Mission’s mandate and international, public, private and administrative law; and assisting in ensuring consistency of interpretations of legal instruments relevant to the work of the Mission;
4. Reviewing, revising and clearing from a legal perspective draft letters, reports, proposals, agreements and other texts prior to approval by the Head of Mission;
5. Providing legal advice and analyses on questions of international law affecting the status and privileges and immunities of the Mission and its legal relationships with governments and international organizations;
6. Providing legal advice and interpretation of OSCE Permanent Council Decisions and United Nation Security Council Resolutions affecting the Mission and its mandate; advising on the interpretation of international agreements, treaties, and conventions affecting the Mission; preparing drafts of correspondence, notes and agreements, as required, relating to the above; reviewing, revising and clearing the legal portions of reports as required;
7. Advising on claims by and against the Mission, customs and tax matters, international transport law, and contracts; assisting in reviewing and clearing of and drafting legal documents, including contracts, Memoranda of Understanding, Implementing Partner Agreements, Notes Verbale and correspondence related to proceedings before courts and other bodies in Kosovo;
8. Drafting documents and advising on matters related to Mission Committees and Boards, including the Fund Material Management Committee and other committees and boards as established;
9. Performing other duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, please see: http://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo  

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

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.

Only those applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.