National Programme Officer, Democratic Development (NP1)

Background:

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Mission) continues to play a vital role in strengthening the country’s ability to foster a sustainable and stable security environment, to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s governance, and to encourage its consolidation as a democratic society. The Mission supports political and education reform and works to promote and protect human rights of all citizens of BiH.

Should you be selected for the position, you will be responsible for field level implementation of the Department’s Democratic Governance project. This includes the identification, design and implementation of appropriate project activities in conjunction with relevant partners at the local and regional (Cantonal) level of government as deemed relevant and necessary. You will have particular responsibility to design initiatives aiming to alter negative political dynamics, where and when deemed relevant; promote stability, conflict prevention and social cohesion.  You will monitor, analyse, report and advise regarding relevant developments and trends in the field of democratic development and governance within your Area of Responsibility (AOR). The key focus is on political, inter and intra institutional and social interactions and processes that promote stability and social cohesion.  You will also implement initiatives to develop the capacity of citizens and citizens groups to represent their views to local and regional governments and public institutions and to take actions on their own behalf. You will co-ordinate activities closely with the supervisor, Head of Field Office, and other Field Office staff to ensure that there is synergy between different initiatives undertaken at the Democratic Governance project level, at the level of the Human Dimension Department, and at the Field Office level. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be tasked with the following tasks:

1.    Implementing the Democratic Governance project within the Field Office AOR through the design and delivery of activities in order to achieve project’s objectives, which are related to improvement of the democratic governance at the local level through  strengthening political, inter and intra institutional and social interactions and processes that promote stability and social cohesion.  This will, in particular, relate to increasing engagement, co-operation and commitment of elected representatives and local leaders; strengthening inter-institutional co-operation, co-operation and partnership between citizens and local governments, and engagement of citizens, organised civil society groups and public institutions in promotion and strengthening of the social cohesion; 

2.    Contributing to the development of strategies aiming at ensuring sustainability of good governance and democratic development achievements within the Field Office AOR. This includes active monitoring, regular assessments, development and implementation of project initiatives based on identified needs;   

3.    Assessing relevant information on political, social and governance issues within the AOR, gathered thorough monitoring relevant developments and processes; and through direct contacts with the local counterparts.  Providing information and advice to the Supervisor, Mission’s Head Office and Head of Field Office on all governance and democratic development matters relevant to the implementation and future planning of the Mission’s Democratic Governance portfolio, through routine reporting, spot reports, periodic assessment reports and thematic assessments; 

4.    Ensuring that political, policy and administrative issues which might present obstacles to project implementation are addressed, either through direct intervention and/or by bringing such issues to the attention of the Supervisor, Head Office staff of the Democratic Governance Project or Head of Field Office;

5.    Co-ordinating with international and national organisations active in the area of democratic governance in the Field Office AOR in order to prevent duplication and to gain maximum benefit from related initiatives, through regular meetings and monitoring of activities, in consultations with the Supervisor and Head of Field Office;

6.    Other duties as assigned.

For more information on the work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Fist-level university degree in political or social sciences, public policy, law or humanities;
• Minimum two (2) years of professional experience, preferably in project management, local governance development, public administration, or civil society development; 
• Established knowledge of political structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina; competencies, functions and legal environment of local governments; and legal, political and operational environment of civil society;
• Understanding of the role of civil society in the democratic system; familiarity with the main mechanisms of citizens’ participation in public affairs; and general understanding of trends and issues of civil society activism in BiH;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English and local languages;
• 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;    
• Holding a valid driving license.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 3,228.92 BAM/month. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna health insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. At the discretion of the appointing authority a higher step may be approved up to a maximum of step 3 subject to specific conditions.
 

This position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina only. 

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies. Please note that offline applications submitted via email, fax, or mail will not be considered.

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

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post 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.

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.

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. 

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