Adviser on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination

Background

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active in 57 participating States in the fields of election observations, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination and the rule of law.

Under the Maastricht Ministerial Council Decision on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, ODIHR was given the task to serve as a focal point for information and statistics on hate crimes, including on forms of violent manifestations of racism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolerance and to report regularly on these issues. Porto Ministerial Council Decision (MC. DEC 6/02) condemned acts of discrimination and violence against Muslims and firmly rejected the identification of terrorism and extremism with a particular religion or culture. The 2007 Declaration of the "OSCE Chairmanship Conference on Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims" encouraged the participating States to follow anti-Muslim hate crimes closely, by maintaining and improving methods to gather reliable information and statistics on such crimes.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Head of Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing all Programme activities and projects related to (combating) intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and will be responsible for ensuring the overall implementation of the assignments given to ODIHR in Ministerial and Permanent Council Decisions through the following functions:

Monitoring and reporting manifestations of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims, particularly hate crimes, with a focus on the response of governmental authorities and on good practices;
Providing analysis and advice on issues related to intolerance and discrimination against Muslims, and recommending interventions to the ODIHR management;
Developing and managing projects and activities aimed at combating intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and at the promotion of mutual respect and understanding;
Establishing and maintaining contact with relevant stakeholders on issues and programmes related to (combating) intolerance and discrimination against Muslims;
Providing support to the Personal Representative of the Chair-in-Office (CiO PR) on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims;
Performing other related duties as required.

Necessary Qualifications

University degree preferably in international relations, political science, social sciences, law or other disciplines related to human rights;
A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience at national and international levels in the human rights field, preferably in the field of combating intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and other forms of intolerance;
Excellent understanding of issues relating to intolerance and discrimination against Muslims; Familiarity with regional and international initiatives to combat intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and experience in the development and implementation of educational programmes for combating intolerance and discrimination against Muslims;
Knowledge of international human rights standards;
Sound political judgment, outstanding analytical and writing skills;
Extensive experience in project design and implementation, preferably in the field of combating intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and other forms of intolerance;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English knowledge of another OSCE language is desirable;
Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
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 4,800 (single rate) and approximately EUR 5,100 (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.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. At the discretion of the appointing authority a higher step may be approved up to a maximum of step 3 subject to specific conditions.

How To Apply

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

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 a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.