Chief of Human Rights 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:

• An advanced degree in law, human rights or a related field
• At least six years of relevant work experience in the area of rule of law, human rights or a related field
• At least three years of management/supervisory experience
• Proven experience in monitoring, reporting and/or policy-making in the area of rule of law and/or human rights
• Good knowledge of the main international human rights instruments
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Professional fluency in English language and capability of drafting reports under pressure and within short deadlines
• 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 within limited time frames, and
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail

Desirable:

• Experience working in an international environment
• Knowledge of the regional political situation and the legal system of the mission area
• Experience in the reviewing of draft legislation
• Experience working on issues dealing with in primary/secondary education, persons with disabilities and gender/violence against women issues, would be an asset
• Knowledge of the local language or most common lingua franca spoken in the mission area
• Previous experience in OSCE field missions, preferably in South Eastern Europe region

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

1. Provides strategic direction for the Human Rights Section in co-operation with other sections of the Department of Human Rights and Communities;
2. Co-ordinates the Section's activities with regard to monitoring of Human Rights issues and of respective Human Rights mechanisms at the central and the local level;
3. Oversees the design and implementation of the Section's projects on a range of Human Rights topics including gender and violence against women;
4. Designs monitoring programmes aimed at assessing the implementation of international Human Rights standards in Kosovo;
5. Supervises all professional and support staff of the Human Rights Section (total staff: 6);
6. Advises the Mission about the Human Rights situation in Kosovo in close co-operation with other sections of the Department and keeps abreast of the main areas of applied law;
7. Assists in the development and implementation of the Mission's policy on human rights;
8. Provides programmatic advice and training to OSCE staff in the field on Human Rights issues as requested;
9. Maintains close co-operation with all relevant stakeholders on issues pertaining to human rights;
10. Represents the Department in meetings, seminars and/or conferences;
11. 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.