Senior Legal Counter-Terrorism Adviser

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 Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) is the focal point for co-ordinating and facilitating OSCE counter-terrorism activities. TNTD/ATU assists participating States with implementing their anti-terrorism commitments in line with the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight Against Terrorism and acts on requests from participating States to assist in enhancing their capability to respond to current and emerging threats. TNTD/ATU also supports the work of relevant UN bodies on counterterrorism and enhances co-operation with external partners and other regional organizations in this regard. The incumbent shall help promote the International Legal Framework and Co-operation in Criminal Matters within the OSCE region to strengthen a rule-of-law based criminal justice response to terrorism by identifying needs for assistance and developing project proposals and programmes; facilitating interaction among participating States, including on technical assistance and co-operation.

The Senior Legal Counter-Terrorism Adviser shall function under the guidance of the Head of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (H/ATU) and in consultation with the Programme Co-ordinator, and shall focus on rule-of-law based criminal justice responses to terrorism.

The Senior Legal Counter-Terrorism Adviser:

1. Reviews legislation, carries out legal research and analysis for use at the policy level and prepares legal documentation; provides specialized legal advice and technical input on complex legal aspects;
2. Advises the Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats and the H/ATU on issues related to legislation and interacts with participating States on issues related to legislation;
3. Monitors and promotes participating States' implementation of and compliance with the provisions of the universal anti-terrorism instruments and their OSCE commitments; reviews national legislation and identifies gaps between national law and international standards as required by treaties and conventions;
4. Plans, organizes, and implements technical co-operation programmes, projects and activities on national, regional and OSCE-wide levels, in particular legislative assistance workshops; capacity building workshops, as well as other relevant initiatives in the legal and related aspects of terrorism prevention;
5. Supervises and executes programme/project development and implementation, including contributing to the organization of counter-terrorism conferences, workshops and other events within the TNTD/ATU programmatic areas;
6. Provides expertise on a broad spectrum of complex substantive issues in the fields of criminal justice and the rule of law;
7. Contributes to policy development including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
8. Identifies together with the interested participating States, needs, requirements and resources for assistance in implementing counter-terrorism obligations and commitments; develops and proposes, where appropriate, new actions and activities to promote a human rights and rule of law compliant approach to preventing terrorism;
9. Provides, as requested, technical assistance to participating States and leads and/or participates in related technical assistance missions;
10. Assists the H/ATU in providing guidance to fund managers to facilitate the achievement of the established anti-terrorism goals;
11. Performs other duties as required.

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law or criminal law, political science or international relations
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in terrorism prevention and criminal justice matters preferably with a focus on rule of law or closely related issues, and at least two years of working experience with international organizations
• Expertise in security and law enforcement
• Specialization in legal and related aspects of terrorism prevention and their international dimensions is highly desirable
• Expertise or formal training in an anti-terrorism field, especially in capacity-building and experience in multi-lateral diplomacy are distinct assets
• Experience in diplomatic affairs, policy or treaty formulation is highly desirable
• Practical experience in working for or in co-ordination with international organizations is a distinct asset
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including good drafting skills; knowledge of other OSCE languages is desirable
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds
• 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 email

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under http://www.osce.org/employment.

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/states.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

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.