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 in various countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The organization employs a diverse workforce and is committed to addressing a wide range of security-related concerns, including human rights, arms control, and economic and environmental activities. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is a principal institution within the OSCE that focuses on the human dimension, including election observation, democratic development, and the promotion of human rights.

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. The officer will also design and deliver training seminars to civil society organizations, ensuring their adequate participation in ODIHR's activities. This position is crucial for fostering a culture of tolerance and addressing intolerance in various forms, thereby contributing to the overall mission of the OSCE.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• 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 focused on tolerance and non-discrimination issues for civil society organizations.
• Ensuring the effective participation of civil society in ODIHR's activities.
• Performing other related duties as assigned by the Head of the Department, contributing to the overall objectives of the ODIHR.

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, as well as 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 desirable. Candidates must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse national and cultural backgrounds, demonstrating impartiality and objectivity. Furthermore, candidates should exhibit gender awareness and sensitivity, integrating a gender perspective into their tasks and activities.

Educational Background:
The position requires a first-level university degree, which is typically a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 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 for effectively engaging with civil society.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least six years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field, which includes both national and international levels of work. This experience should encompass a range of activities related to human rights, including project management, training, and civil society engagement. The level of experience required indicates that candidates should have a well-established career in the field, demonstrating a deep understanding of human rights issues and the ability to navigate complex political environments.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as excellent written and oral communication skills are required. Additionally, a working knowledge of Russian is considered desirable, which would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders within the OSCE framework. Knowledge of other languages may also be beneficial, depending on the specific context of the projects and activities 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 set for March 5, 202

• Candidates should be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process, and all costs related to the assignment must be borne by the nominating authorities. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.