Background

This project was developed and is implementing with the support of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office – OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine with engagement of the OSCE’s Extra-budgetary Support Programme for Ukraine (SPU) under ODIHR Democratization Programme Objective of UBP2021. The Supreme Court is the partner of the project.

Within the framework of a project aimed at strengthening the institutional and adjudicative capacity of the Supreme Court to ensure consistent, inclusive, and human rights-based justice, the OSCE announces a competitive selection of Rule of Law and Quality of Justice Experts.

The objective of the envisaged cooperation is to develop and institutionalize practical tools, methodological guidelines, and reference materials that align the Supreme Court’s activities with international standards, including human rights, ethical standards and gender equality. The cooperation will include conducting legal research, comparative analysis, expert consultations, and thematic workshops.

Please note that this is a vacancy notice to enlarge the roster. Successful candidates are expected to work within several short-term consultancy assignments throughout the Project implementation. The detailed information regarding the dates and the duration of the contracts will be provided at a later stage. The consultants will be required to work from home with the ability to travel to perform tasks, if necessary.

Tasks

The OSCE is looking to recruit highly qualified rule of law and quality of justice experts who will be assigned with the following tasks:

Conducting analytical reviews of the Supreme Court’s case-law, as well as case-law of appellate and first instance courts in administrative, civil, criminal, and commercial proceedings, provide methodologies to ensure case-law consistency.

Conducting analysis of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and its application in national judicial practice.

Conducting analysis of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court of the European Union in the context of its relevance to the national legal system, taking into account the implementation of EU law norms and principles.

Researching and analyzing the practice of international judicial bodies, including the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and others.

Developing of institutional policy papers and methodological recommendations on the implementation of international (particularly European) approaches to judicial practice and improvement of domestic adjudication, including gender-sensitive and human-rights-based adjudication, accountability and integration of international standards.

Drafting analytical papers, methodological guidelines, reference materials, compendia of foreign case-law or research documents aimed at improving the quality of justice and promoting the integration of the principles of the rule of law, judicial independence, and quality of justice, including accountability, inclusivity and application of international law, standards into the activities of the Supreme Court.

Conducting trainings and thematic workshops on gender-sensitive and human-rights-based adjudication, judicial reform, the rule of law, human rights, ethical standards and gender equality, application of international standards in domestic adjudication; participate in expert discussions and working groups on these issues.

• Perform other analytical tasks contributing to the achievement of the project’s overall objectives.

Necessary Qualifications

• Second-level university degree in law, international law; a PhD degree would be an advantage.
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience at the national and/or international level, particularly in the fields of rule of law, judicial reform, and analysis or generalization of judicial practice of national and international courts.
• Experience in developing and conducting research in the field of quality of justice.
• Profound knowledge and understanding of issues related to the practical implementation of the rule of law, judicial reform, and judicial practice, as well as an understanding of the quality of justice as an international standard and its implementation in national systems.
• Knowledge of Ukrainian legislation, including procedural law, judicial practice, and its generalization, as well as understanding of international judicial standards and the functioning of international courts.
• Ability to work with large volumes of information, including its processing and systematization.
• Experience in teaching/training disciplines related to practical implementation of the rule of law, judicial reform, and judicial practice, as well as an understanding of the quality of justice as an international standard and its implementation in national systems would be an asset.
• Experience using open data sources and registries to identify relevant judicial practice both at the national level and in the case law of foreign and international courts.
• High level of self‑discipline and the ability to meet deadlines.

• Good analytical, interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.

• Professional fluency in English and Ukrainian with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills.

• Computer literacy with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

• 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.

Remuneration Package

Remuneration will be paid in accordance with the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine established consultancy rates. Applicants are encouraged to include in their applications their financial proposals for the foreseen services.

Only online applications will be considered. To apply, please use the online application system at https://vacancies.osce.org; the Requisition/Vacancy Number is OSC000502. The deadline for applications is 24 December 2025.

Applications received after the published deadline will not be considered. Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted. Details of the assignment and contract may be further discussed during the interviews.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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 national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE consultants shall conduct themselves at the highest personal and professional level at all times, while on assignment and shall not act in a manner which is likely to bring discredit to the Organization in general. 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 be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: OSC000502
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Level: Professional
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: Unlimited
• Location: OSCE
• Issue Date: Dec 10, 2025
• Closing Date: Dec 24, 2025
• Schedule: Part-time
• Education Level: Master’s Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Rule of Law
• Target Start Date: To be confirmed