National Legal Expert in Water Law, Irrigation, and Drainage

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) is part of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which was established to promote peace, security, and stability in the region. The OSCE is committed to comprehensive security that encompasses political, military, economic, environmental, and human dimensions. The POiD focuses on various sectors, including economic and environmental affairs, and aims to support the Republic of Tajikistan in implementing reforms, particularly in the water sector. The office works collaboratively with national stakeholders to enhance governance and institutional frameworks, ensuring sustainable management of resources. The OSCE operates in multiple countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, with a mission to foster cooperation and dialogue among its member states.

Job Overview:
The position of National Legal Expert in Water Law, Irrigation, and Drainage is crucial for supporting the Republic of Tajikistan's efforts to reform its water sector. The expert will join a roster of qualified professionals tasked with providing legal advice, reviewing existing legislation, and assisting in the drafting and refinement of legal frameworks related to water management. This role is essential for ensuring that the legal instruments governing water resources are effective, equitable, and sustainable. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering training to stakeholders, thereby enhancing their understanding of water law and its application in practice. The overarching goal is to align national legal frameworks with international best practices, thereby strengthening the governance of water resources in Tajikistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will undertake a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Head of Economic and Environmental Department. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing legal analysis and advice on water, irrigation, and drainage legislation, identifying areas for improvement and alignment with best practices.
• Contributing to the drafting and refinement of policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring they support sustainable management of water resources.
• Preparing technical notes, legal analyses, and policy briefs that summarize findings and recommendations.
• Supporting capacity building through workshops and training sessions for national stakeholders on legal aspects of water management.
• Collaborating with OSCE teams and government counterparts to ensure effective implementation of assignments.
• Responding to requests for legal expertise on short notice, as roster members may be engaged on an as-needed basis.
• Supporting additional tasks related to the development and review of policies and legal frameworks in the water sector.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Water Law, or a closely related field. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in legal advisory roles, legislative drafting, or consultancy related to water resources, irrigation, drainage, or land reclamation is required. Proven experience in drafting, reviewing, or analyzing legal instruments for governmental or international organizations is essential, with a focus on policy and regulatory development. Candidates should have a strong understanding of national and international legal frameworks for water governance and irrigation, as well as experience in delivering training. Excellent analytical, legal reasoning, and report-writing skills are necessary, along with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent) in Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Water Law, or a closely related field. This advanced education is critical for understanding the complexities of water law and its application in various contexts, particularly in relation to the legal frameworks governing water resources in Tajikistan.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in legal advisory roles, particularly in areas related to water resources, irrigation, drainage, or land reclamation. This experience should include a proven track record in drafting, reviewing, or analyzing laws, regulations, and policies, as well as providing legal advice to governmental or international organizations. Familiarity with both national and international legal frameworks for water governance is essential, as is experience in training delivery.

Languages:
Fluency in Tajik and/or Russian is mandatory for this position, as these are the primary languages used in the region. Knowledge of English is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the expert's ability to engage with global best practices in water law.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered under a Special Service Agreement (SSA) or as a consultant role, with no specific grade assigned. The job level is classified as Professional, and the number of posts available is unlimited. The duration of the assignment will depend on the tasks and deliverables assigned, and candidates should be flexible to respond to assignments on short notice. Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's qualifications and experience, in accordance with OSCE established rates. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants, maintaining integrity and impartiality.