Country Visit Officer

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to 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 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 (THB) 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.

Under the overall guidance of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (SR CTHB) and the direct supervision of the Deputy Co-ordinator, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Prepares all substantial and organizational aspects of the preparation of high level country visits of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator, with especial attention to legislation and policy development in all areas relevant to preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings;
2. Develops a consistent methodology for the preparation of high level country visits by the SR/CTHB, as well as for their thorough and proper follow up. Liaising with the other Advisors as necessary in the preparation of country visits, and with the Public Information Officer and PPIS to ensure appropriate visibility of the visit;
3. Assists in the preparation of analysis and research to enable the SR/CTHB to provide advice and technical assistance to senior level authorities representing the legislative, judicial, and executive branches in participating States, to inform discussions on the implementation of the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, and other relevant OSCE commitments;
4. Provides analysis of the international relations, political, economic, and social situation with regard to trafficking in human beings in each OSCE participating State the SR/CTHB plans to visit. Prepares country profiles, briefing files and questions, especially in order to recommend how CTHB can be mainstreamed into other related policy areas in order to strengthen CTHB responses and to prevent trafficking;
5. Develops and maintains regular contacts at the working and expert levels with the counterparts in the OSCE delegations, as well as with relevant partners of the governmental authorities and NGOs of the OSCE participating States. Co-operates with the OSCE institutions, missions and field operations, as well as with international organizations, in order to coordinate and draw upon their expertise for inputs into the preparation of visits, and any related events, documents, and follow up, etc.;
6. Produces professional quality documents, including background files, talking points, meeting minutes, trip reports, speeches, analysis and research, and policy papers and/or substantively edits, and finalises professional quality and polished documents, such as briefing/talking points for the SR, and also as tasked for the CiO, and SG, for public distribution and or internal purposes to support the range of work of the OSR;
7. Prepares draft country visit report and recommendations. Ensures a proper outcome to the country visit through appropriate communications, keeping abreast of developments, and thorough follow up. ;
8. Manages correspondence of the Special Representative with the participating States and with other relevant stakeholders, including responding to requests for information, participation in events, and other substantive matters as appropriate;
9. Performs other related tasks as assigned.

• Minimum of six years of directly related and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least three years in human rights sphere
• Experience in national and international activities relating to combating THB is required
• Broad knowledge of international and humanitarian law, human rights, gender equality and related issues
• Demonstrable organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated strong analytical and reporting skills
• Professional fluency in English (both written and oral) and working knowledge of another official OSCE language
• Working knowledge of the Russian language is an asset
• Ability to establish contact and develop confident relations with the local population as well as the ability to work with government officials and institutions
• Ability to work independently
• 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
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail

This post is open for secondment. Candidates are requested to apply through the OSCE desk of the respective Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/who/83.

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

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation. No application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by OSCE for our recruitment process.