Associate Democratic Governance Officer (S) At Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at OSCE/ODIHR 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 OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see: http://www.osce.org/odihr

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief, Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, the incumbent will contribute to the planning and execution of the unit’s democratic governance and gender project activities. Based on a division of tasks from the Chief of Unit, the incumbent will co-ordinate and fulfill project tasks and activities, while further developing methodologies for identifying, collecting and organizing information on the unit’s current and recent project activities related to ODIHR’s work on democratic governance. In particular, the incumbent will be tasked with

the following duties:

1. Reporting, analysis and project concept development, with a particular focus on parliamentary assistance and support, political party development, and the political participation of under-represented groups such as women, youth and persons with disabilities;
2. Developing and implementing project and programmatic activities in the field of democratic governance;
3. Providing assistance and advice to other units of the office, implementing projects with democratic governance components;
4. Liaising with OSCE Institutions and field operations and about the unit’s activities through the organization and conducting of human dimension events, exchange of reports, regular communication and during implementation of project activities;
5. Contributing to publications, including OSCE reports, the website and factsheets;
6. Maintaining contacts with project partners, civil society representatives and other actors in the field of democratic governance (NGOs, think-tanks, institutes and universities, etc.);
7. Performing other related duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in law, international relations, history, social sciences, political sciences or related field;
• A minimum of four years of relevant experience relating to democratic governance as well as experience in project management, including at least three years at the international level;
• Experience working in developing or transitional societies with governments and/or political parties and knowledge of political and socio-economic developments in the countries of the CIS and South-Eastern Europe would be an asset;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills;
• Training and facilitation skills would be an asset;
• Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft applications;
• Professional fluency in English, including excellent presentation and drafting skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, in particular Russian would be desirable;

· Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

· Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds.