Background:

The position is located in the Department for Security Co-operation (DSC) within the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The DSC implements the Security Co-operation (SC) Programme, including three Unified Budget (UB) projects: Politico-Military Affairs and Arms Control, Anti-Terrorism, and Security Governance and Co-operation. The Politico-Military Affairs and Arms Control project contributes to the Mission’s early warning capacity and includes engagement to advance (1) management of weapons and ammunition, (2) BiH compliance with arms control and politico-military commitments, as well as (3) civil military co-operation. The Anti-Terrorism project entails support to countering the financing of terrorism and movement of terrorists, preventing violent extremism and radicalization conductive to terrorism, and advancing rehabilitation and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters and their families, and work to. The Security Governance and Co-operation project addresses: (1) security sector governance and reform (incl. integrity building, gender equality, and youth participation), (2) parliamentary oversight and democratic control, (3) law enforcement / policing development, (4) border security and management, (5) cyber security, and (6) protection and rescue. The Department also implements extra-budgetary projects on: (1) control of small arms and light weapons (SALW), (2) advancement of intelligence-led policing (ILP), and (3) building sustainable cybersecurity capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The main purpose of this post is to support the attainment of the Departmental and Mission objectives, particularly by conducting timely and collaborative legal research, monitoring and analysis covering all of the Department’s field of work, and by timely and effectively advising senior management and other colleagues as needed on relevance, consequences/risks, and course of action. Subjects of consideration include legislation, policy and regulations. The work of the National Legal Officer moreover contributes to the Department’s and Mission’s early warning and early action capacity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Co-ordinator (S3) and overall supervision of the Head of Security Co-operation (S4), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Conducting legal monitoring and research, utilizing the full range of sources and resources on a regular basis and upon request;

2. Conducting legal analysis and timely advises the Head of Security Co-operation, and other relevant internal and external counterparts as instructed by the Head of Security Co-operation,
including through use of reports, legal opinions, memoranda, and other briefing documents;

3. Supporting Departmental and Mission efforts to improve legislation and to advance harmonization of laws and legal norms;

4. Contributing legal expertise to help inform Departmental and Mission planning and assessment/evaluation;

5. Participating in meetings, working groups, consultations, and other activities/events with representatives from BiH and international institutions, representing agreed Mission positions;

6. Regularly and timely co-ordinating with and consulting the internal Mission legal pool, as well as relevant host country and international counterparts – also with a view to ensuring joint advocacy where possible, beneficial and appropriate.

For more detailed information on the structure and 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 (LLB);
• Minimum four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the domestic legal system, with a focus on security, defence, and rule of law issues;
• Prior experience working for national/government institutions and/or international organizations, including in supporting implementation of programmes and projects;
• Thorough knowledge of the BiH legal system, particularly as pertains to the security and defence sectors;
• Pronounced ability to interpret and analyse legislation, and to effectively present complex legal matters to different audiences;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and a proven ability to integrate a gender perspective into work;
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and willingness to drive official vehicles;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;
• Professional fluency in English and local languages with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 3,785.25 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.

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://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post 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. 

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

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

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.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

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

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.