Background

OSCE field operations are the front line of the OSCE’s engagement on the ground, supporting host authorities in fulfilling OSCE commitments and implementing a comprehensive approach to security. The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the Organization’s longest-serving field operation working on social cohesion, fundamental rights, gender equality, the rule of law, good governance, integrity and anticorruption, criminal justice and police reform.

General Minimum Requirements

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 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 organisational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

First-level university degree in a relevant field.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience.

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Sound organizational skills, pro-activity, creativity and resourcefulness to generate complex policy interventions involving different governmental and political stakeholders;
• Extensive work experience if the field of rule of law and human rights at the policy and programmatic level;
• Sound knowledge of the political environment and the legal system in the host country, the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) and social and political dynamics connected with it and a keen sense of political acumen to navigate these dynamics effectively;
• Excellent communication and networking skills and proven ability to build constructive relations and coordinate cooperation with external interlocutors including Government institutions, civil society organizations, donors and other international organization;
• Ability to identify priorities for the Mission’s work in key areas of rule of law and human rights and analyze complex issues, identify key aspects and present them in a clear and understandable manner;
• High degree of initiative and strong result-oriented work-style;
• 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;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and prioritize within limited time frames;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Professional fluency in the English language, both oral and written;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft applications.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of at least one of the local languages or most common lingua franca spoken in the mission area.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Chief of Rule of Law and Human Rights Unit, the Senior Rule of Law and Human Rights Officer is responsible for::

1. Assisting in the planning and implementation of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Unit programmatic activities;
2. Compiling, updating, briefing and following-up on developments in the wider rule of law and human rights areas, identifying trends and providing resources in terms of internationally recognised best practices;
3. Providing relevant analysis, background papers, researches and policy advice for internal and external use in response to the identified needs of the Unit and mandate-mainstreaming;
4. Drafting speeches, talking points, status reports and various routine and ad hoc documents in her/his area of responsibility;
5. Liaising and maintaining good relations with the relevant interlocutors, government officials at local and central level, international organizations, civil society organizations and relevant national agencies;
6. Performing other duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the work of OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see www.osce.org/skopje

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 note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

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.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form to the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.