Human Rights and New Technologies Expert

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, human rights monitoring, and supporting democratic development. The organization is committed to addressing a wide range of security-related concerns, including human rights, combating human trafficking, and promoting tolerance and non-discrimination. The OSCE comprises 57 participating States, all of which enjoy equal status, and decisions are made by consensus. ODIHR's mission is to assist participating States in fulfilling their commitments to human rights and democratic governance.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights and New Technologies Expert will play a crucial role in leading and implementing programmatic activities that intersect human rights and technology within the OSCE area. This position requires a proactive approach to advising on the use of technology for human rights protection and promotion. The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring and analyzing the impact of technology on human rights commitments, providing expert recommendations, and preparing comprehensive reports. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including government authorities, international organizations, and civil society, to develop and implement initiatives that enhance human rights standards through technological advancements. The expert will also contribute to capacity-building efforts and engage in training programs to foster understanding and application of human rights in the context of new technologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will undertake a variety of duties, including: advising on and developing programmatic activities related to human rights and technology; designing and implementing capacity-building initiatives and training programs; liaising with OSCE colleagues and partners to gather and analyze information for program development; preparing project proposals, budgets, and donor reports; maintaining accurate records in information management systems; establishing cooperation with government authorities, NGOs, and international organizations; monitoring human rights developments across the OSCE region; advising management on priority areas and programmatic responses; contributing to department-wide initiatives and drafting materials for inter-departmental projects; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a second-level university degree in social sciences, law, international relations, political science, information technology, or a related field, with a specialization in human rights preferred. A first-level university degree combined with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of human rights, including international advisory experience. Knowledge of UN, Council of Europe, and OSCE human rights standards, as well as human rights monitoring methodologies, is essential. Experience in project design and implementation, particularly in relation to human rights and technology, is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree (second-level university degree) in relevant fields such as social sciences, law, international relations, political science, or information technology. A first-level university degree may be acceptable if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience, specifically in human rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, with at least seven years of experience if only holding a first-level university degree. Candidates should have substantial experience at the international level in an advisory capacity, demonstrating a strong understanding of human rights issues and the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory. Proficiency in other OSCE languages is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the organization's multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term international secondment role, with a maximum service period of 10 years. The OSCE emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. The position is full-time, and candidates must be nominated by their respective participating States to apply. The OSCE does not charge any fees during the application process, and all appointments are subject to medical clearance. The target start date for this position is as soon as possible, following the completion of the recruitment process.