Chief of Communities Section

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:

• University education in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, international human rights law or other human rights related fields
• Experience working with human rights, minority or gender issues
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in drafting reports

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Advanced education/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:

• Advanced university degree in law, human rights, political science, international relations or relevant professional experience
• Proven management and supervisory experience
• Project and budget management experience
• Extensive knowledge of international human and community rights standards and of the legislative framework in Kosovo
• Previous experience of working on community rights issues, with governments, and/or other relevant stakeholders
• Proven ability to design monitoring programmes for data collection on a variety of thematic issues dealing with community rights
• Ability to develop strategic programming for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo on community issues
• Ability to produce analytical reports
• Knowledge of the political environment of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, including mandate and structure of the international presence in Kosovo
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity
• Cultural sensitivity and judgement
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and with limited time frames
• Professional fluency in the English language
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail

Desirable:

• Familiarization with the Council on Europe's Framework Convention on National Minorities and, more generally, the international framework on community rights
• Experience in negotiation/mediation
• Knowledge of a local language or most common lingua franca
• Previous experience in field missions, preferably in South East Europe

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of the Department of Human Rights and Communities, the Chief of Communities Section:

1. Identifies community related issues, analyses their implications and advises on programmatic policies to achieve measured improvement in the performance of Kosovo institutions, including the municipalities, in respect of community policies and community rights. Develops strategies to implement recommendations and policy decisions adopted in analytical reports;
2. Co-ordinates the analysis of findings and the proactive monitoring of Kosovo institutions, the implementation and effective application of legislation, policies and procedures with respect to community policies and community rights;
3. Based on the findings of proactive monitoring, proposes the design and development of programmes in the area of community policies and rights;
4. Supports the implementation of pro-active monitoring and the capacity building programmes through the OSCE Headquarters (HQ) units and Field Teams by providing expertise and guidance on issues of community policies and community rights;
5. Closely co-operates with the other Chief of Sections in the Department and closely co-ordinates activities with the Senior Human Rights Advisor/non-Albanian Communities;
6. Acts as departmental focal point on community policies and community rights in relation to other Mission departments and liaises with relevant international agencies and Kosovo institutions;
7. Advises the Director and the Deputy Director of the Department of Human Rights and Communities on community-related issues;
8. Develops and supervises the implementation of the community component of the Mission's annual programme and budget;
9. Ensures the effective flow of information between other relevant actors in non-Albanian community rights protection and policy development and the Mission. Serves as a focal point for return-related issues between the Mission and other relevant actors;
10. Establishes and maintains contacts with representatives of non-Albanian political parties and civil society. Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of the community rights situation in Kosovo and the region;
11. Facilitates dialogue and negotiated solutions between community representatives and governmental actors;
12. Supervises a team of up to seven international and five national staff in the HQ;
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. The nomination of female candidates is particularly encouraged.

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.