Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an 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 OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (SR/CTHB) represents the OSCE at the political level on anti-trafficking issues. The Office of the SR/CTHB assists OSCE participating States in the implementation of commitments and full usage of recommendations set forth in the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. The Office provides a co-ordinating function among OSCE structures and institutions involved in combating trafficking in human beings (CTHB) with a focus on the following activities: enhancing the awareness and understanding of THB across the OSCE region; policy planning and advocacy especially in the area of emerging trends of THB and effective approaches to combating THB; and direct assistance to participating States in practical and technical areas, at their request.

Ministerial Council Decision Nr. 3/06 of 21 June 2006 calls on the Secretary General and the Chairmanship-in-Office to consult each other regarding the appointment of a prominent personality with relevant professional and political expertise, who will act as a Special Representative and represent the OSCE at the political level, and head the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB).

Tasks and Responsibilities:

In an administrative capacity, the prominent personality will, under the direct supervision of the Secretary General and in support of the Chairperson-in-Office, head the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

The Chairperson-in-Office will confer upon the prominent personality the functions and title of Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. In this capacity, the incumbent will represent the OSCE at the political level and shall be politically accountable to, and will report regularly and when appropriate to the Permanent Council after consultation with the Chairmanship-in-Office and the Secretary General.

Specific duties include:

1. Assisting the OSCE participating States in the implementation of commitments and full usage of recommendations set forth in the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings and its addenda addressing the special needs of child victims of trafficking for protection and assistance;
2. Ensuring the co-ordination of the OSCE's efforts in combating trafficking in human beings across all three dimensions of the OSCE and acting as a focal point for the OSCE's efforts in this area;
3. Strengthening the co-operation among the relevant authorities of the participating States and between the OSCE and other relevant organizations; 
4. Raising the public and political profile of combating trafficking in human beings;
5. Operating in the whole the OSCE area and as appropriate, assisting participating States in a spirit of co-operation, and following the consultations with the relevant authorities of the participating States concerned, in their aims to implement their commitments in combating human trafficking;
6. Providing and facilitating the advice and technical assistance in the field of legislation as well as policy development, together, as necessary, with other OSCE structures engaged in this field;
7. Providing advice to senior level authorities representing the legislative, judicial, and executive branches in participating States and discussing with them the implementation of the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, including its Addendum, and their commitments in the field of combating trafficking in human beings. In specific cases calling for special attention, seeking direct contacts, in an appropriate manner with the participating State concerned and discussing the provision of advice and concrete assistance, if needed;
8. Conducting country visits and other official visits to support participating States in the implementation of OSCE anti-trafficking commitments and recommendations and to raise the profile of the anti-trafficking efforts in the country; 
9. Overseeing the Office's work in research and policy development on issues related to combating trafficking in human beings, including on emerging trends in the field; 
10. Co-operating with national co-ordinators, national rapporteurs or other national mechanisms established by participating States for co-ordinating and monitoring the anti-trafficking activities of State institutions. The Special Representative will also co-operate with relevant non-governmental organizations in the participating States, and will assume responsibility within the OSCE for hosting and facilitating meetings for the exchange of information and experience between national co-ordinators, representatives designated by participating States, or experts on combating trafficking in human beings;
11. Closely co-operating, in a co-ordinating role and in full respect of their mandates, with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and other OSCE institutions, relevant structures of the Secretariat including the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU), the Senior Gender Adviser, as well as, where appropriate, the OSCE field operations;
12. Co-operating and seeking synergies with relevant international actors, including regional organizations, intergovernmental agencies and non-governmental organizations; continuing the OSCE's role in convening, chairing and organizing joint initiatives of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons;
13. Taking on responsibility for the management, co-ordination and executive functioning of the Office.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Office of the SR/CTHB please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat/trafficking

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in political sciences, human rights, law, international relations, gender studies or related field;
• High-level and renowned experience at the political level in human rights, international law, international affairs, human trafficking or related fields;
• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in legislative, judiciary or administrative areas of government, and academia, at least half of which are at the international level;
• Experience at senior management and policy making level;
• Ability to lead, motivate and supervise staff of a work unit and co-ordinate activities to achieve overall objectives;
• Knowledge of the past and present functioning and activities of the OSCE;
• Experience in multi-lateral diplomacy or related field;
• Strong interpersonal skills coupled with sound judgement and a high level of integrity;
• Professional fluency in English; working knowledge of one other OSCE working language is desirable;
• Strong communication skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst remaining impartial and objective;
• Computer literacy including word processing, spreadsheets, internet and email.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. 

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. 

Only those candidates 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 https://www.osce.org/participating-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.

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.

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.