Human Rights Section Manager

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, stability, and democracy in Europe and beyond. It operates in 57 participating states across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The OSCE is dedicated to addressing a wide range of security issues, including arms control, human rights, and conflict prevention. The organization employs thousands of staff members, including international experts and local personnel, to implement its various missions and initiatives. The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina specifically focuses on supporting the country’s efforts to build a stable and democratic society, with a strong emphasis on human rights and the rule of law.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Section Manager will play a crucial role in overseeing the Human Rights Section, which is responsible for ensuring that governmental institutions and legislation promote reforms aimed at improving access to human rights. This position requires a deep understanding of the human rights landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including its institutions, key legislation, and the overall political situation. The manager will lead the development and implementation of the section’s annual activity plan and budget, ensuring that the section's objectives align with the broader goals of the OSCE Mission. The role demands strong leadership qualities, the ability to establish effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to fostering tolerance and non-discrimination. The manager will also be responsible for coordinating capacity-building activities and technical assistance to various governmental and civil society actors, ensuring that human rights are prioritized in all relevant areas of governance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Section Manager will be tasked with a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Managing the Human Rights Section to ensure that relevant governmental institutions and legislation promote reforms aimed at improving access to human rights.
• Leading the development and implementation of the Human Rights Section’s annual activity plan and budget.
• Overseeing ongoing legislative reviews and revisions, monitoring and reporting on the effective implementation of the country’s human dimension commitments.
• Ensuring close collaboration with national human rights institutions, executive and legislative authorities, law enforcement, civil society groups, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinating capacity-building activities and technical assistance for the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and other relevant ministries.
• Acting as the Roma Action Focal Point of the Mission and promoting the implementation of the Annex 7 of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
• Supporting the Head of Human Dimension Department in human resources planning and assisting with programme development and strategy formulation.
• Representing the Mission and coordinating with international and domestic organizations active in the field of human rights.
• Integrating project evaluation and long-term impact assessment practices into all policy and project work. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned by the management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a second-level university degree in law, human rights, political science, international relations, public policy, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant, diversified, and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the position. Experience in managing or implementing human rights programmes in post-conflict, transitional, or developing countries is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate strong organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as experience in drafting reports and conducting political analysis.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in a relevant field. A first-level university degree combined with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree. The emphasis is on fields such as political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, and international human rights law.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years at a management level. Candidates should have a proven track record in managing human rights programmes, particularly in contexts that are post-conflict, transitional, or developing. Experience in programme and project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, is also necessary.

Languages:
Professional fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills. While not mandatory, a working knowledge of local languages would be considered an asset. Candidates should also demonstrate gender awareness and sensitivity, integrating a gender perspective into their tasks and activities.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a middle management role and is offered on an international secondment basis. The contract is fixed-term and full-time, with a maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission being seven years. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Candidates should be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance and that the organization does not request payment at any stage of the application process. The target start date for this position is as soon as possible.