Rule of Law Officer 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.

The purpose of the Democratization Department’s Rule of Law Unit is to strengthen the supremacy and legitimacy of law in compliance with OSCE principles and international law within the human dimension. Towards that end, the Rule of Law Unit conducts activities and provides assistance throughout the OSCE region in the following thematic areas: Judicial Independence and Accountability, Prosecutorial Independence, Fair Trial and Trial Monitoring, Criminal Justice Reforms, Administrative Justice and Gender, Diversity and Justice.

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 of the Chief, Rule of Law Unit, the incumbent performs the following functions in order to assist the participating States in achieving compliance with the ODIHR human dimension commitments and to ensure effective implementation of the ODIHR programming:

1.Designing and implementing programmatic activities such as seminars, round tables, development of guidance for legal professionals, study visits, expert consultations meetings in one or several thematic areas of work of Rule of Law Unit, including the management of administrative and financial aspects of such activities;
2.Providing legal advice and expertise to ODIHR, the OSCE institutions and Field Operations on human dimension areas related to the rule of law;
3.Coordinating and undertaking research and analysis on specific rule of law issues with a focus on one or several thematic areas of work of Rule of Law Unit;
4.Representing ODIHR at international conferences, seminars and expert meetings on rule of law development work, including by providing expertise and presentations on ODIHR rule of law activities;
5.Following political and legal developments in selected OSCE participating States and providing briefings to ODIHR management and OSCE officials on rule of law issues, including presentations at ODIHR human dimension events;
6.Administering and implementing rule of law projects and activities, including their monitoring and evaluation;
7.Developing and maintaining regular contacts with legal professionals, project partners, OSCE Field Operations, and OSCE participating States justice system stakeholders;
8.Performing other related duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

•University degree in Law;
•Minimum of six years of professional work experience in law, rule of law development assistance, or policy issues relating to rule of law;
•Advanced knowledge on countries in transition in the OSCE area and related challenges with respect to the rule of law is essential, and at least three years of experience specifically in rule of law in a country in transition to democracy;
•Knowledge of international human rights or criminal (procedure) law, public international law;
•Knowledge of international human rights standards regarding fair trials requirements and the independence of the judiciary; familiarity with issues related to the recruitment, professional evaluation, and career of judges, prosecutors and other legal professions;
•Knowledge of criminal justice systems, the functioning of justice and political institutions and government offices;
•Good project development and implementation skills;
•Political intuition; organizational and strong analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment, the ability to work with minimum supervision and advise high-level officials on the rule of law and legal policy issues;
•Working experience as a practicing lawyer would be an asset;
•Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft applications;
•Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, knowledge of Russian would be considered an asset;
•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.