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. It has 57 participating States and operates in various countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The OSCE's comprehensive approach to security encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects, addressing a wide range of security-related concerns including arms control, human rights, and counter-terrorism. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension, focusing on election observation, democratic development, human rights, and the rule of law. ODIHR implements assistance projects and activities in accordance with its mandate, aiming to enhance democratic processes and human rights across the OSCE area.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is primarily focused on civil society relations, particularly in the context 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 issues. This role involves developing and managing projects that aim to raise awareness among civil society regarding tolerance and non-discrimination, as well as enhancing 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. This position is crucial for fostering a more inclusive society and addressing issues of intolerance and discrimination effectively.

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 to ODIHR management, ensuring that interventions are well-informed and effective.
• Developing and managing projects aimed at increasing civil society's awareness and capacity regarding tolerance and non-discrimination issues.
• Designing and delivering comprehensive training seminars for civil society organizations, focusing on the monitoring and reporting of hate crimes and intolerance.
• Ensuring that civil society organizations are adequately represented and engaged in ODIHR's activities, facilitating their involvement in discussions 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 desirable. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse national and cultural backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity. A demonstrated awareness of gender issues and the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires a first-level university degree, which can be a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification in fields such as international relations, political science, social sciences, law, or other disciplines that are pertinent 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 at least six years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights sector, which should include both national and international contexts. This experience should encompass work related to civil society engagement, project management, and training delivery, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the human rights field.

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 and enhance the effectiveness of the officer's work in the OSCE region.

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 May 5, 202

• Candidates should be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process, and they are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline to ensure timely processing of their applications. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.