Deputy Head, Human Dimension Unit (S3)

General Minimum Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical and health condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving licence 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

Field of Expertise Requirements

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

• Experience working with human rights, minority or gender issues
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in drafting reports

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

• Second-level university education in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, international human rights law or other human rights related fields; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree

Experience:

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

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Previous work experience in relevant fields such as conflict resolution and/or dialogue facilitation, human dimension, human rights and rule of law, preferably with international organizations, multi-dimensional missions or government;
• Knowledge of conflict resolution mechanisms, negotiation and peacebuilding tools;
• Comprehensive knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights frameworks and principles;
• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills, including the capacity to convey complex concepts and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion for different audiences;
• Experience in liaising with representatives of governmental and non-governmental entities;
• Ability to identify and analyze emerging human rights problems and propose solutions;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and proven resilience to high stress environment;
• Professional fluency in English, both oral and written, and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely;
• Demonstrated ability in managing a multinational team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Willingness to travel to conflict area;
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail.

Desirable:

• Experience in working in Eastern Europe, and/or knowledge of the region;
• Knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments;
• Experience with the UN common system and/or other international organizations, preferably in a peace mission context;
• Experience in working with governmental/diplomatic structures;
• Experience with track I and/or track II negotiations;
• Working knowledge of the Russian and/or Ukrainian language(s).

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), in line with the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the SMM. Currently, women professionals are underrepresented in senior management positions. Qualified women candidates are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for this management opportunity.

If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment.

Applicants are hereby notified that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is designated by the OSCE as a non-family duty station. This designation is based on the fluid and dynamic working environment in the SMM. The currently prevailing working conditions in the duty station may include working in a hazardous location with extended hours of service, and possibly curtailed freedom of movement. Successful candidates who are appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will receive hazard pay. In addition, all successful candidates will be required to participate in the OSCE accident and life insurance scheme in accordance with the OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules.

Under the general direction of the Deputy Chief Monitor and direct supervision of the Head of Human Dimension Unit (HDU), the Deputy Head of the Human Dimension Unit is responsible for the following:

1. Supporting the Head of HDU in managing the overall work of the unit;
2. Advising the Head of HDU and senior management on developments related to the human dimension in Ukraine, including the impact of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine on civilians; rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rights of individuals belonging to national minorities and/or other issues related to the promotion and protection of rights;
3. Supporting the Head of HDU in strategy development;
4. Supporting the Head of HDU in operational, administrative and budgetary matters;
5. Deputizing in managing the work of the HDU at the Head Office as well as the work of human dimension staff in field offices, ensuring staff working on human dimension issues receive sufficient support from responsible thematic sections;
6. Contributing to guiding the development of operational guidance and data collection tools to support the implementation of human rights monitoring and reporting;
7. Supporting and developing the implementation of dialogue initiatives;
8. Establishing and maintaining contacts with national authorities, NGOs, universities and research institutions as well as with international organizations and other field operations on human dimension issues;
9. Co-ordinating with other units at SMM Head Office to ensure integration of human dimension monitoring activities into planning and operational processes;
10. Contributing to the integration of gender mainstreaming into all tasked activities, including monitoring, reporting and dialogue facilitation: 
11. Supporting the Head of HDU in co-ordinating human dimension issues with other OSCE Institutions, in particular the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), and the Project Co-ordination Unit (PCU) in Ukraine;
12. Performing other duties and assignments as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, please see https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine

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 country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

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 well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.