Senior Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a security-oriented intergovernmental organization founded in 197

• It is the world's largest regional security organization, with 57 participating states from Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The OSCE's mission is to promote peace, democracy, and stability through various means, including conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on areas such as arms control, human rights, and the rule of law. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo was established to support the development of a multi-ethnic society and to promote the rule of law and human rights in the region. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer position is a critical role within the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, focusing on the rule of law and justice sector reform. The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Law and Justice Section (LJS) and will be responsible for formulating policies and strategic approaches related to rule of law issues. This position requires a strong legal background, particularly in criminal law and international legal standards, as well as the ability to analyze complex legal data and provide actionable recommendations. The role also involves significant interaction with local judicial and legal institutions, requiring the candidate to maintain close cooperation with various stakeholders to support the implementation of mission recommendations and enhance the capacity of justice-sector institutions. The Senior Legal Officer will also be involved in monitoring and reporting on developments in the justice sector and human rights, providing legal advice to other units within the mission, and assisting with program and project development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Legal Officer include:

• Assisting in formulating the Section's policy, priorities, and strategic approaches on issues pertaining to the rule of law.
• Serving as deputy to the Chief of Section when requested, coordinating section activities and staff.
• Acting as a legal analyst, analyzing trial-monitoring and other justice-sector data, drafting trial monitoring reports, and coordinating LJS monitoring and rule of law activities in the field.
• Developing, coordinating, and overseeing professional development initiatives and institutional dialogue aimed at supporting the implementation of mission recommendations.
• Managing targeted engagement and maintaining close cooperation with relevant judicial and legal institutions in Kosovo on priority rule of law and human rights issues.
• Monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on developments in the rule of law and justice sector, providing timely advice and recommendations to support policy and operational decision-making.
• Providing legal and rule of law advice to other units within the mission.
• Coordinating internal and external follow-up, advocacy, and institutional dialogue on LJS findings and recommendations.
• Assisting with responding to internal taskings, briefing materials, program and project development, reporting, and other LJS deliverables. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior Legal Officer position include:

• A first-level university degree in law or significant work experience in criminal justice and/or law enforcement.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in legal practice, including knowledge of courtroom proceedings and criminal law.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Professional fluency in the English language, with strong legal analytical and writing skills.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity to local conditions and communities, and the ability to work as part of a diverse team.
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and the ability to drive using manual transmission.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in law or equivalent qualifications. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of legal frameworks and the rule of law, particularly in an international context. Additional training or certifications in criminal justice, human rights law, or related fields would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates are required to have a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in legal practice, which may include roles such as judges, prosecutors, or lawyers. Experience in international law, human rights, and justice sector reform is highly desirable. Familiarity with trial monitoring and legal aid initiatives will also be beneficial for this position.

Languages:
Professional fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages in Kosovo is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's ability to engage effectively with local stakeholders and institutions.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a Senior Professional level (Grade S2) and is a full-time role under an international secondment contract. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. The maximum period of service in this post or in the same mission is seven years. Candidates should be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance, and the organization does not request payment at any stage of the application process. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise or cancel the vacancy, and only selected candidates will be contacted for further recruitment stages.