Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues 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 an assignment at the 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.

ODIHR’s Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues is the focal unit of the OSCE charged specifically with numerous tasks under the framework of the 2003 Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area. The ODIHR Contact Point addresses issues either directly through its programmes and projects or by promoting policy frameworks and assisting participating States aiming to realize objectives of the Action Plan. It seeks to involve and empower Roma and Sinti themselves in all its activities. The CPRSI plays an active role in promoting action and involvement of the OSCE Institutions and Field Operations in realizing objectives of the Action Plan. It performs the role of catalyst for action and initiatives at international level that aim at better synergies and co-operation as regards realizing common objectives. It acts as a clearing house for all related initiatives, projects, reports or studies while increasingly issuing its own analysis and reports. In this regard, it seeks to strengthen relations and co-operation with the civil society and academic institutions involved in research and studies on Roma and Sinti. The report on the Status of Implementation of the Action Plan (2008) sets up a new threshold as regards the CPRSI reporting on implementation of objectives of the Action Plan and analysing emerging trends and challenges regarding Roma and Sinti in OSCE area.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues, Chief of the CPRSI, as the Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues, you will be responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of all programmatic activities and projects related to tasks assigned to CPRSI in the Action Plan and/or as stipulated under relevant Ministerial and Permanent Councils decisions related to Roma and Sinti through the following functions:

1. Contributing to the management of programmatic and administrative aspects of the CPRSI and the co-ordination of the work portfolios of CPRSI staff members overall;
2. Providing advice on all aspects and issues related to implementation of the Action Plan and subsequent MC Decisions on Roma and Sinti, in the form of reports and analyses, background materials or talking points for the Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues; represents the CPRSI in absence of the Senior Adviser;
3. Enhancing the CPRSI capacity as clearing house and its ability to provide quality and timely expertise/advice to participating States, international organizations, Roma and Sinti organizations and civil society;
4. Contributing to the development and management of all projects and activities related to implementation of CPRSI’s yearly programmatic outline, both for Unified Budget and Extra-budgetary contributions (ExB), as well as of the tasks of DIHR CPRSI and the overall objectives of the Action Plan and/or as response to emerging trends /developments /crisis situations or incidents regarding Roma and Sinti communities;
5. Maintaining communication and responding to all requests, calls, and proposals, after consultation with Senior Adviser, from participating States, international organizations and/or state’s bodies and institutions.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in international relations, political science, social sciences or law;
• At least six years (full-time equivalent) of progressively growing professional experience at national and international levels in the Roma and Sinti related field (either in governmental office, civil society or in scientific research institution);
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to human and minority rights and especially to Roma and Sinti;
• Familiarity with national Roma and Sinti politics and policies, regional and international initiatives related to Roma and Sinti;
• Excellent knowledge of the UN, CoE, EU and OSCE documents and programmes related to Roma and Sinti;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing programmes and projects in those areas;
• High level of initiative and sound judgement;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, knowledge of Romani and/or some other OSCE language would be an asset;
• Computer literacy with practical experience with Microsoft applications.