Vacancy
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to play a vital role in strengthening the country’s ability to foster a sustainable and stable security environment, to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s governance, and to encourage its consolidation as a democratic society. The Mission supports political and education reform and works to promote and protect human rights of all citizens of BiH.
Within the Human Dimension Department Human Rights Section’s Fundamental Freedoms Portfolio, should you be selected for the position, you will serve as the principal point of contact for all Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB)-related matters. In close co-operation with the National Programme Officer, Fundamental Freedoms, you will provide regular advice and support to the Human Dimension Department’s Head of Human Rights on issues of relevance for the proper functioning of the Section/Department in the field of FoRB and formulation of the Mission’s policies relating to this field in line with the Mission’s mandate and the Human Rights Section’s annual projects. In addition, you will closely collaborate with other International Organizations (IOs) and civil society organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure consistency and co-ordination of the Mission’s efforts in the field of FoRB and provide regular and proactive guidance to the Human Rights Section’s field staff on all matters relating to enjoyment of the FoRB and the field offices’ staff in their regular contacts with representatives of various religious communities in the country. Furthermore, you will serve as the principal Mission’s focal point for all contacts and co-operation with the BiH Inter-Religious Council as well as the leadership of religious communities in BiH.
Tasks and Responsibilities
As the National Programme Officer, Freedom of Religion or Belief, should you be selected for the position, you will perform the following duties:
1. In consultations with NPO, Fundamental Freedoms and Head of Human Rights, developing and managing part of the Human Rights Section’s Project on FoRB. This includes close co-operation with international partner organizations and host country’s institutions to determine needs, identify shortcomings and devise appropriate course of action to address identified shortcomings;
2. Proactively providing guidance, including through written and verbal comments, to the Mission’s field staff with regard to implementation of policies aiming at advancement of the fundamental FoRB. This may include organization of internal meetings and briefings of the Human Rights Section staff, as well as close co-ordination with other Sections within the Human Dimension Department as well as other Departments;
3. Advising supervisors on relevant developments and issues in the field of FoRB, including conceptualization and prioritization of relevant programme outcomes and outputs;
4. Co-ordinating policy issues relating to FoRB with other Sections within the Human Dimension Department;
5. Keeping abreast the Mission of all developments in the field of FoRB; providing relevant analyses and overviewing based on information collected through the network of the Mission’s field offices;
6. Providing relevant expertise and advice internally and to the State and entity institutions and other stakeholders on international human rights standards and examples of good practices within the OSCE region;
7. Maintaining regular liaison with the Mission’s key counterparts in the field of FoRB (BiH Inter-Religious Council, BiH Ministries of Justice and MHRR, RS Secretariat for Religions) to ensure that undertaken policies and initiatives are compliant with international human rights standards and OSCE human dimension commitments;
8. Preparing analyses, briefing notes, talking points, background papers and similar;
9. Keeping track and deciding on appropriate responses to FoRB-related incidents in the country (attacks on religious facilities, members of religious communities, etc.) proposing and co-ordinating the Mission’s responses in relation to these incidents;
10. Representing the Mission at national and regional meetings relating to FoRB;
11. Proactively co-ordinating with counterparts in other OSCE Field Operations, OSCE ODIHR and other international organizations on the implementation of programmes and policies relating to FoRB;
12. In co-operation with NPO, Fundamental Freedoms acting as the Mission’s focal point for FoRB-related matters, including with the host country’s authorities, representatives of religious communities and members of the civil society;
13. Contributing to regular Mission’s reporting, including inputs for the Human Rights Section annual project, quarterly projects, mid- and end-of year reports, other inputs for various reporting conducted by the Section/Department;
14. Carrying out other duties as assigned.
For more information on the work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina.
Necessary Qualifications
- University degree in Law or other human rights related field;
- Minimum two (2) years of professional experience including human rights field;
- Professional knowledge of European and international human rights conventions and their practical implementation;
- Excellent organizational skills, with ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks and process large amounts of information;
- Ability to work with people of different national, cultural and religious backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and local languages;
- Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft packages;
- Holding a valid driving license.
Remuneration Package
Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 3,181.92 BAM/month. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna health insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.
Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. At the discretion of the appointing authority a higher step may be approved up to a maximum of step 3 subject to specific conditions.
How To Apply
This position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.
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 offline applications submitted via email, fax, or mail will not be considered.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
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.
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.