Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is a principal institution of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) that focuses on the human dimension of security. Established to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, ODIHR operates across the OSCE area, engaging in activities such as election observation, democratic development, and human rights advocacy. The OSCE itself is a regional security organization that encompasses 57 participating States, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to security that includes political, military, economic, and human aspects. The organization operates on a consensus basis, ensuring that all member states have equal status in decision-making processes.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is primarily focused on enhancing civil society's engagement with issues of 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 tailored to civil society organizations, ensuring their effective participation in ODIHR's activities. This position is integral to promoting human rights and fostering a culture of tolerance within the OSCE region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Providing expert advice and analysis on civil society relations, recommending interventions to ODIHR management.
• Developing and managing projects aimed at enhancing civil society's awareness of tolerance and non-discrimination issues.
• Increasing the capacity of civil society to monitor, respond to, and report on hate crimes and other forms of intolerance.
• Designing and delivering training seminars for civil society organizations on issues related to tolerance and non-discrimination.
• Ensuring adequate participation of civil society in ODIHR's activities and initiatives.
• Performing other related duties as assigned by the Head of the Department, contributing to the overall mission of ODIHR in promoting human rights and democratic values.

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, along with demonstrated experience in training design and delivery. Experience in project design and implementation is also essential. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory, while a working knowledge of Russian is considered desirable. The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse national and cultural backgrounds is crucial, as is the capacity to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Educational Background:
The position requires a first-level university degree, which can be in fields such as international relations, political science, social sciences, law, or other disciplines that are relevant to human rights. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of human rights issues and the legal frameworks that govern them.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field, which should include both national and international levels of engagement. This experience should encompass a range of activities related to human rights advocacy, project management, and civil society engagement, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the human rights landscape.

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 desirable and would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders within the OSCE region.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an international secondment, and candidates must be nominated by their respective participating States. The contract is fixed-term and full-time, with a target start date as soon as possible. The OSCE emphasizes diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. It is important to note that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process, and candidates should ensure that their applications are submitted well in advance of the deadline to allow for timely processing.