Chief of the Law and Justice Section (LJS)

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, democracy, and stability in Europe and beyond. The OSCE operates in 57 participating states across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, and has a workforce of approximately 3,500 employees. The organization is committed to addressing a wide range of security issues, including arms control, human rights, and the rule of law, and works through various field operations and missions to implement its objectives.

Job Overview:
The Chief of the Law and Justice Section (LJS) is a pivotal role within the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, responsible for overseeing the core functions of the section, which include monitoring, legal and policy engagement, institutional engagement, reporting, advocacy, and programmatic delivery. The successful candidate will work directly under the supervision of the Director of the Human Rights and Communities Department and will be expected to coordinate and direct the LJS's short- and mid-term strategies. This position requires a strong understanding of human rights considerations, gender, youth, and community integration, ensuring that these elements are reflected in the strategic priorities of the OSCE Mission. The Chief will also be responsible for liaising with various programmatic sections and external stakeholders to ensure a coherent approach to LJS activities, designing and implementing advocacy projects, and providing substantive legal and policy oversight.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of the Law and Justice Section will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Coordinating and directing the LJS's short- and mid-term strategy across core functions, ensuring integration of community, gender, youth, and human rights considerations.
• Liaising with other programmatic sections, Regional Centres, and field staff to ensure a coherent approach to LJS activities.
• Designing and implementing advocacy projects, ensuring coherence and effectiveness, and overseeing monitoring and internal evaluation.
• Providing legal and policy oversight on issues within the LJS mandate, advising senior management and engaging with external counterparts.
• Conceptualizing, editing, and overseeing the drafting of all LJS reports and clearing external outputs.
• Chairing advocacy meetings with stakeholders to advance LJS priorities.
• Representing the Mission at high-level forums and donor meetings.
• Contributing to strategic planning and ensuring LJS priorities are reflected in institutional frameworks.
• Engaging with Kosovo institutions and relevant counterparts on LJS mandate issues. 1
• Managing staff matters, including recruitment, performance management, and training. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a second-level university degree in law and at least 10 years of courtroom experience or experience in judicial reform and human rights advocacy. They should have knowledge of International Law or European Law, experience in drafting legal documents, and demonstrated ability to manage complex projects. Additionally, candidates should have experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and possess strong interpersonal skills to engage with various stakeholders effectively. Professional fluency in English is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate cultural sensitivity and the ability to work under pressure.

Educational Background:
A second-level university degree in law is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level degree. The educational background should be complemented by significant work experience in criminal justice or law enforcement.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant, diversified, and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least 3 years at a management level relevant to the position. This experience should encompass courtroom practice, judicial reform, or advocacy in human rights contexts, with a strong emphasis on managing and supervising teams in complex environments.

Languages:
Professional fluency in English is mandatory for this position. While English is the primary language of communication, knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the region, would be considered an asset and beneficial for effective stakeholder engagement.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an international secondment with a fixed-term contract. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. The maximum period of service in this post is seven years, and candidates should be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance. The OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process, and candidates should verify with their nominating authority regarding financial remuneration and benefits.