Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1975, with a mission to promote peace, stability, and democracy in Europe. The OSCE has 57 participating States and operates across various countries, focusing on a comprehensive approach to security that includes politico-military, economic, environmental, and human aspects. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is a key institution within the OSCE, dedicated to the human dimension of security, including human rights, democratic development, and the rule of law. The organization emphasizes equal status among its participating States, with decisions made by consensus, reflecting a politically binding but not legally binding framework.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is primarily focused on enhancing civil society's engagement in issues related to tolerance and non-discrimination. The incumbent will work under the guidance of the Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, providing critical advice and analysis on civil society relations. This role involves developing and managing projects that aim to raise awareness among civil society regarding tolerance and non-discrimination, as well as increasing their capacity to monitor and respond to hate crimes and intolerance. The officer will also be responsible for designing and delivering training seminars for civil society organizations, ensuring their adequate participation in ODIHR's activities, and performing other related duties as assigned. This position is crucial for fostering a more inclusive society and addressing the challenges posed by intolerance and discrimination.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing expert advice and analysis on civil society relations, recommending interventions to ODIHR management.
• Developing and managing projects aimed at increasing civil society's awareness of tolerance and non-discrimination issues.
• Enhancing the capacity of civil society to monitor, respond to, and report on hate crimes and other forms of intolerance.
• Designing and delivering training seminars focused on tolerance and non-discrimination for civil society organizations.
• Ensuring effective participation of civil society in ODIHR's activities and initiatives.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders to promote human rights and democratic values.
• Performing additional related duties as assigned by the Head of the Department.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in international relations, political science, social sciences, law, or other relevant disciplines related to human rights. Additionally, a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field at both national and international levels is required. Candidates should have a solid understanding of issues related to intolerance and discrimination, demonstrated experience in training design and delivery, and project design and implementation. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory, while a working knowledge of Russian is desirable. The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse national and cultural backgrounds is essential, along with a demonstrated awareness of gender issues and the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree, which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree, in fields such as international relations, political science, social sciences, law, or other disciplines that are relevant to human rights. This foundational education is critical for understanding the complexities of human rights issues and the legal frameworks that govern them.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field. This experience should encompass both national and international contexts, demonstrating a deep understanding of human rights issues, particularly those related to intolerance and discrimination. Candidates should have a proven track record in project management and training delivery, showcasing their ability to effectively engage with civil society and promote human rights initiatives.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the OSCE. A working knowledge of Russian is considered desirable, as it can facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders within the OSCE region. Knowledge of additional languages may also be beneficial, depending on the specific context of the projects and initiatives undertaken.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an international secondment, meaning that candidates must be nominated by their respective participating States. The contract type is fixed-term, and the position is full-time. The target start date is as soon as possible, and the closing date for applications is July 15, 202

• Candidates should be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process and emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct among its officials. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.