Background:
Please note that this position is advertised for establishing a pool of suitable candidates on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Roster for Temporary Assistance for the Human Rights Officer post. The candidates will be contacted only if there is a temporary post vacant post or need to replace a mission member on prolonged sick leave, maternity/paternity/adoption leave or special leave without pay.
Human Rights Officer seconded posts are available in all five OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s Regional Centres (Gjilan/Gnjilane; Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Pejë/Peć, Prishtinë/Priština and Prizren).
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, please see: http://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo
Tasks and Responsibilities
The Human Rights Officer is under the direct supervision of the Senior Communities Officer, and implements the programmatic goals of the Department of Human Rights and Communities (HRCD) and supports the development of these in the Regional Office as determined by the senior management of HRCD and in co-operation with the Director Regional Center.
The incumbent:
- Pro-actively monitors and builds the capacities of institutions and community mechanisms in the field of human and community rights, assesses/evaluates developments and proposes remedial actions when appropriate. This includes reporting, advocacy, as well as other forms of assistance or advice, aiming to improve compliance with international human rights standards and community rights principles;
- Regularly meets local counterparts to exchange and gather information on human and community rights-related issues, and assesses and reports on developments, successes and concerns regarding compliance with human and community rights standards;
- Co-operates closely and co-ordinates work with colleagues in the Regional Office, as well as with the HRCD in Headquarters, in particular with the Communities Section within the HRCD;
- Is responsible to identify key human and community rights related issues in his/her area of responsibility and, where deemed necessary, follows up with analytical reporting, including recommendations to the Senior Communities Officer, the Director of the Regional Center and the HRCD in Headquarters;
- Assists in project development, implements project activities, and evaluates impact and achievements at the regional level;
- Reaches out to all local communities/assesses their situation and reports on identified needs;
- Drafts and assists the drafting of policy recommendations that address specific human rights and community rights issues/concerns;
- Contributes to the reporting and to periodical analytical reports of the HRCD;
- Performs other duties as required.
Necessary Qualifications:
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.
Field of Expertise Requirements
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.
Level of Professional Competence Requirements
Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:
Education:
First level university degree or equivalent experience.
Experience:
Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience including minimum 1 year in a relevant field strongly preferred.
Mission Specific Requirements
Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:
Mandatory:
- Knowledge and/or practical experience in human and community rights at international, central or local/municipal level;
- Alternatively, knowledge and/or experience in human rights monitoring in developing/transitional countries and/or experience with protection of vulnerable groups;
- Knowledge of the political setting of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo;
- Awareness of the situation of all communities in Kosovo;
- Ability to produce analytical reports, very good report writing skills;
- Professional fluency in the English language;
- Relevant international experience;
- 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 judgment;
- Interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
- Political awareness and understanding;
- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and with limited time frames;
- Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail.
Desirable:
- International work experience and/or experience in field missions, preferably in the South Eastern European area;
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: return, reintegration, education, access to services, participation and representation, security, dialogue, language rights, inclusion of vulnerable communities, inter-faith dialogue, cultural heritage, property rights, judicial institutions, non-judicial human rights mechanisms;
- Experience in negotiation/mediation;
- Knowledge of the local language or most common lingua franca.
Remuneration Package:
Short term international contracted mission members temporarily appointed against a seconded post shall only be entitled to equivalent of the board and lodging allowance [BLA] applicable at the duty station concerned (currently 109 EUR per day).
Social Benefits will include possibility of participation in the CIGNA health insurance scheme.
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 vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/states. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.
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.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.