Human Rights Officer (S1) | Human Rights Careers

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:

• First-level university degree in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, international human rights law or other human  rights related fields
• Experience working with human rights, minority or gender issues
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in drafting reports

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

First-level university degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience including minimum 1 year in a relevant field strongly preferred

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:Mandatory:

• Knowledge and/or practical experience in human and community rights at international and local level. Alternatively, knowledge and/or  experience in human rights monitoring in developing/transitional societies and/or experience with protection of vulnerable groups;
• Knowledge of the political setting of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo;
• Awareness of the situation of all communities in Kosovo;
• Ability to produce analytical reports, very good report writing skills;
• Relevant international experience;
• Cultural sensitivity and judgment;
• Interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
• Political awareness and understanding;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and with limited time frames;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;
• 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 team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and the ability to drive using manual transmission is a requirement for this post. New hires will be required to pass an OMIK administered driving test using a manual transmission vehicle within six months of assuming the post and be able to confidently self drive.

Desirable:

• International work experience and/or experience in field missions, preferably in the South Eastern Europe;
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: return, reintegration, education, access to services, participation and representation,  security, dialogue, language rights, inclusion of vulnerable communities, inter-faith dialogue, cultural heritage, property rights, judicial  institutions, non-judicial human rights mechanisms;
• Experience in negotiation/mediation;
• Knowledge of the local languages or most common lingua franca.

Tasks and Responsibilities

This vacancy is for three positions in two locations:
– Regional Center Mitrovice/Mitrovica
– Regional Center Prishtine/Pristina 

The Human Rights Officer, under the direct supervision of the Senior Communities Officer, implements the programmatic goals of the Department of  Human Rights and Communities (HRCD) and supports its development in the Regional Centre (RC) as determined by the senior management of HRCD and in co-operation with the RC Director. The incumbent will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Pro-actively monitoring and building the capacities of relevant institutions and communities mechanisms in the field of human and  communities’ rights, assessing/evaluating developments and proposing remedial actions when appropriate. This includes reporting,  advocacy, as well as other forms of assistance or advice, aiming to improve compliance with international human rights standards and  communities rights principles;
2. Regularly meeting local counterparts to exchange and gather information on human and communities rights related issues, assessing and  reporting on developments, successes and concerns regarding compliance with human and communities rights standards;
3. Co-operating closely and co-ordinating with colleagues in the RC, as well as the HRCD in Headquarters, and in particular with the relevant  Section (Communities Section) within HRCD;
4. Identifying key human and communities rights related issues in the incumbent’s area of responsibility and, where deemed necessary,  following up with analytical reporting, including recommendations to the Senior Communities Officer, the RC Director and the HRCD in  Headquarters;
5. Assisting in project development, implementing project activities, and evaluating impact and achievements;
6. Reaching out to all local communities/assessing their situation and reporting on identified needs;
7. Drafting and assisting the drafting of policy recommendations that address specific human rights and communities rights issues/concerns;
8. Contributing to the reporting and to periodical analytical reports of the HRCD;
9. Performing other duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, please see: http://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo

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.

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. 

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.

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