Poland Human Rights Adviser - Capacity Building Co-ordinator

Appointment to this post is subject to approval of the 2012 budget.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate.

In accordance with the mandate of ODIHR the Human Rights Department (HRD) assists participating States in fulfilling their obligations to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. Areas of work covered by the Department include monitoring and analysis of human rights developments in the OSCE area and the provision of expertise and technical assistance to enhance compliance with human dimension commitments; supporting the development of effective human rights education and capacity building; enhancing the protection of human rights while countering terrorism; addressing the relationship between human rights, gender and the security sector; and emphasizing human rights aspects of combating trafficking in human beings.

The incumbent will co-ordinate the cross-departmental three-member Human Rights Education and Capacity Building Team, one of the five teams which are part of ODIHR’s Human Rights Department.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Head, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:

Providing leadership, designing, implementing and monitoring programmatic activities in human rights education and capacity building for government authorities, national human rights institutions, civil society in OSCE participating States, as well as OSCE staff in support of the mandate of the Human Rights Department in the human dimension area; Co-ordinating efforts to develop and disseminate programme standards for Human Rights Education, in co-ordination with international organizations, experts, the OSCE Secretariat and OSCE field presences; Conducting substantive research and analysis, taking into account activities of other relevant organizations (UN, CoE, EU); Providing expert advice on capacity building programmes and human rights education activities for the department; Developing work priorities and work plans for the team, as well as co-ordinating inputs from other colleagues in the department; Designing human rights information and education activities, developing training and education materials for use by ODIHR, OSCE Missions and educators throughout the OSCE area based on needs identified by assessment missions; Identifying suitable partner organisations, training institutions and individual contractors to deliver courses, seminars and workshops and/or to write course material; Establishing and maintaining contacts with all relevant international and national counterparts, organising exchange of information; Acting as the point of contact for human rights education and capacity building issues; representing ODIHR in professional discussions, conferences and meetings related to human rights training and education; Preparing various written outputs, e.g., background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. including status reports and final reports on project implementation; Working closely with the Monitoring and Response Unit, as well as other programmes in the Human Rights Department, being deployed to monitoring missions and supporting follow-up training activities;
Performing other related duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications

University degree in law, political science, international relations, with specialization in human rights. Education or training in training techniques/skills and communications; At least six years of progressively responsible professional experience in the human rights field including experience at international level; Excellent knowledge of UN, Council of Europe and OSCE human rights standards; Knowledge of computer applications; Experience of designing and implementing projects; Experience of human rights training and education; Field experience or experience with international organizations is desirable; Ability to work with minimal supervision and under pressure; Experience in managing multi-cultural teams is desirable; Discretion, tact and sound political judgement; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Russian; knowledge of other working OSCE languages would be an asset; Ability and willingness to deploy to the field, sometimes on short notice, for different types of monitoring missions; Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, tact in dealing with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views, maintaining impartiality and objectivity; Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions as well as monthly changes of the post adjustment multiplier and exchange rate, is approximately EUR 4,650 (single rate) and approximately EUR 4,980 (dependency rate). OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland.

Social security will include participation in the Vanbreda International medical insurance scheme and OSCE Provident Fund maintained by the OSCE. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

How to apply:

If you wish to apply for this position, please use OSCE's online application link found under http://www.osce.org/employment/43284.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/who/83.

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The OSCE is committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

No application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by OSCE for our recruitment process.