Chief of Community Outreach

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE (Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe) is a prominent international organization founded in 1975, with a mission to promote peace, security, and stability in Europe and beyond. The organization operates in 57 participating states across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, focusing on a wide range of issues including conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. The OSCE Mission to Skopje was established to support the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement and to promote human rights, community rights, and the rule of law in North Macedonia. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. The OSCE employs a workforce of approximately 3,500 staff members, working in various capacities to fulfill its mission.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Community Outreach is a pivotal role within the OSCE Mission to Skopje, responsible for leading and managing the Community Outreach programme. This position requires a strategic thinker who can develop and implement effective outreach strategies that address community rights and policies. The Chief will work closely with the Deputy Head of Mission and other program chiefs to ensure that the outreach initiatives align with the overall mission objectives. The role demands a strong understanding of community issues, the ability to analyze and advise on programmatic policies, and the capacity to foster relationships with various stakeholders, including local communities and government institutions. The Chief will also be responsible for providing updates and briefings to senior management, ensuring that the mission's outreach efforts are well-coordinated and impactful.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Community Outreach will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Leading and managing the Community Outreach programme, overseeing staff at both the Mission HQ in Skopje and the Field Office in Tetovo.
• Collaborating with the Deputy Head of Mission and other program chiefs to develop strategies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures for field teams, ensuring effective implementation of outreach strategies.
• Establishing and maintaining regular contact with communities and relevant Host Country institutions regarding community policies and rights.
• Identifying and analyzing community-related issues, advising on programmatic policies to enhance institutional performance at local and central levels.
• Developing and implementing strategies to act on recommendations from analytical and policy/advocacy reports.
• Proposing and designing programmatic activities based on outreach findings and analysis.
• Providing updates and briefings to senior management on developments within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
• Coordinating with other units within the mission to align programmatic priorities and prepare joint analytical papers.
• Working closely with the gender team to integrate gender considerations into programmatic design and implementation. 1
• Serving as one of the Mission’s Early Warning Focal Points alongside the Chief of PACU. 1
• Performing additional duties as required by the Deputy Head of Mission.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess extensive knowledge of international human and community rights standards, with prior experience working on community rights issues. Strong leadership and managerial skills are essential, along with the ability to lead multinational teams effectively. Candidates should demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collect and analyze data on community rights issues. A professional fluency in English, both written and oral, is mandatory, including public speaking and briefing capabilities. Cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and the ability to work under pressure are also critical attributes for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a second-level university degree in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, international human rights law, or other related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level degree. A Master's degree is preferred, reflecting the advanced level of expertise required for this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of six years of relevant, diversified, and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least three years at a management level relevant to the position. This experience should encompass work in human rights, community rights, or related fields, demonstrating a strong track record of leadership and program management.

Languages:
Professional fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of one or more of the most common lingua franca spoken in the mission area is desirable, enhancing the ability to engage with local communities and stakeholders effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a middle management role within the OSCE Mission to Skopje, with a contract type of International Secondment. The job is full-time, and the target start date is as soon as possible. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Nationals or permanent residents of North Macedonia are not eligible to apply. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise or cancel the vacancy, and candidates should be aware that appointments are subject to medical clearance. The OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process.