Legal Adviser, War Crimes and Transitional Justice

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 law or significant work experience in criminal justice and/or law enforcement (the latter required for police corrections officer training)
• Experience in the practice of law, e.g. judges, prosecutors, lawyers, etc.
• Knowledge of courtroom proceedings and criminal law and procedure
• Knowledge of international legal procedure standards and instruments
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Advanced degree in a relevant field

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Sound knowledge of legal issues related to war crime trials and the Bosnia and Herzegovina justice system
• Experience in programme planning and management
• Excellent writing and reporting skills
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and email
• Ability and readiness to work in a stressful environment, and under time constraints

Desirable:

• Experience of working with the OSCE or other international organizations
• Broad knowledge of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the conflict and its consequences

Under the supervision of the Judicial and Legal Reform Co-ordinator within the Human Dimension Department, the Legal Adviser, War Crimes and Transitional Justice is responsible for defining the range of issues and advocacy opportunities upon which the Human Dimension Department can engage effectively to promote reform, and ensure that concepts such as outreach and transparency develop within the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BaH) criminal justice system. Within the scope of the war crimes trials and processes that impact on transitional justice in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the incumbent will work closely with the Judicial and Legal Reform Section (JLRS) Legal Advisers to assess where reform is needed and how existing reform processes can be aided and expanded to better care for the needs of victims, witnesses and the general public. The incumbent will also work closely with the Senior Human Dimension Officers and the field staff to collect contextual information about the importance of individual war crimes cases to the local communities. Specific duties include:

1. Identifies and advocates for necessary improvements to the institutional, legal and policy framework applicable to the war crimes proceedings through research, analysis, drafting of policy documents, submissions and organisation of activities;
2. Develops and manages the Department's portfolio relating to transitional justice, including working with interlocutors within the judiciary and prosecutors offices, and provides support to reform processes undertaken in that regard;
3. Develops and manages the outreach component of the Department's strategic plan in cooperation with management;
4. Analyses information and reports from the field and draft public reports on topics related to the processing of war crimes from the standpoint of transitional justice;
5. Develops, implements and co-ordinates activities in the field designed to support those areas where OSCE can support the implementation of strategic reforms at the local level.  This includes providing training and guidance to field staff on matters pertaining to outreach and transitional justice;
6. Establishes and develops contacts within civil society related to outreach and transitional justice including identification of projects that the programme can support;
7. Performs any other duties as required.

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.