Back Human Rights Adviser/Monitoring and Response Co-ordinator

Background

This is a maternity cover position. The contract will be issued for a period of one year. The incumbent is expected to start in September 2020.

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, 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 activities of the ODIHR Human Rights Department are aimed at assisting OSCE participating States in maintaining a human rights based approach in addressing all security challenges and in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, through gender-sensitive monitoring, capacity building and expert advice.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Human Rights Department, the Human Rights Adviser / Monitoring and Response Co-ordinator shall perform the following functions and duties:

1. Monitoring, analyzing and drafting reports on the implementation of OSCE Human Dimension commitments related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, with a particular focus on freedom of peaceful assembly;
2. Planning and coordinating the deployment of ODIHR monitoring missions to assess the policing and facilitation of public assemblies;
3. Identifying, developing and implementing programmatic activities and projects on key human rights areas of concern for/with non-governmental organizations, governmental authorities, NHRIs and OSCE staff and missions, with a particular focus on capacity building for law enforcement authorities and civil society organizations on freedom of peaceful assembly;
4. Establishing, developing and maintaining contact with key international and national governmental and non-governmental actors in the field of human rights to facilitate and foster communication, information-sharing and coordination of activities;
5. Responding to requests to ODIHR on information about the implementation of the OSCE Human Dimension commitments related to human rights and fundamental freedoms in key areas of concern;
6. Performing other related duties as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications

• First-level university degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations or Social Sciences, a specialization in Human Rights is an asset;
• At least six years (full-time equivalent) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of human rights including experience at an international level in an advisory function;
• In-depth knowledge of human rights monitoring and reporting methodology and practice;
• Excellent knowledge of the UN, Council of Europe and OSCE human rights standards;
• Professional fluency in English; working knowledge of Russian and/or other OSCE languages is an asset;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft applications and internet.