Expert Consultant on Freedom of Movement
In order to strengthen its pool of experts on selected issues within the area of migration, ODIHR is now inviting persons with relevant expertise to apply for inclusion in ODIHR’s expert roster.
Background:
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR’s work in democratization provides policy advice and assistance in building the capacities of democratic institutions in all three branches of government across the OSCE region and facilitating the inclusion of civil society actors in decision-making processes. By assisting participating States in strengthening democratic institutions, ODIHR works with governments to help them become more responsive, responsible to and representative of their citizens.
The Migration and Freedom of Movement Unit of the ODIHR’s Democratization Department (MFMU) assists participating States in meeting their OSCE commitments on migration (including the issues of refugees and internally displaced persons) and freedom of movement. In the area of freedom of movement, assistance is provided to participating States in reforming their identity management system (civil registration and civil identification) to ensure free choice of place of residence, access to other state guaranteed rights. The Unit also supports OSCE participating States in designing their entry regulations and promoting wider cross-border mobility in the OSCE in line with OSCE human contacts commitments.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Head of Democratisation, experts may be called upon to undertake any of the following tasks:
1. Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research, analysis and assessments of identity management systems of select OSCE participating State(s) looking specifically into civil registration legislative and administrative frameworks as well as the frameworks for the issuance of identity and travel documents and provide on-site technical assistance where required;
2. Design and deliver presentations in awareness-raising events organized by ODIHR for various target groups to promote the value of secure systems for identity management and issuance of travel document for the facilitation of cross-border mobility;
3. Prepare and deliver expert presentations on selected freedom of movement/human contacts issues at roundtables or conferences organised by ODIHR or OSCE field operations which aim at discussing OSCE commitments on freedom of movement and human contacts, and the challenges with regard to their implementation on national or regional level;
4. Draft analytical reports or develop methodological tools on selected freedom of movement/human contacts issues which might result in ODIHR publications or inform other activities by ODIHR;
5. Review relevant draft and/or existing national legislation of selected OSCE participating State and assess its compliance with relevant international legal standards and OSCE commitments, making recommendations for improvement and sharing good practices.
Requested areas of expertise:
A. Identity management
In many OSCE participating States civil registration, residency registration and ID and travel document issuance system provides a framework for observing and protecting many of the human rights embodied in international declarations and conventions. Depending on the provisions in place, the system can ensure that citizens can exercise a wide range of rights, such as those related to property, privacy, freedom of movement and free choice of place of residence, as well as access to services like education, health care, and social security or political rights such as the right to vote. These systems are critical to for enabling citizens to travel abroad in a secure and facilitated manner.
ODIHR’s expertise to participating States focuses on assessing their civil registration and civil identification process—and residence registration in particular, and providing support in overhauling these systems to reflect relevant international standards, recommendations by relevant international organizations and take into account good practices from OSCE participating States. ODIHR assistance is provided with the view to facilitate freedom of movement and enable citizens’ access to state provided social services and benefits as well as guaranteed civil and political rights.
B. Cross-Border Mobility
Cross-border human contacts between citizens of OSCE participating States have formed an important part of the OSCE commitments in the human dimension. They are important for the promotion of certain fundamental rights such as the right to family life, and the right to marriage, but cross border human contacts also contribute to building trust and understanding among citizens of OSCE participating States which in turn serves to strengthen overall security in the OSCE region.
The political dialogue on reciprocal visa facilitation and the liberalization of visa requirements is very important in the context of the implementation of OSCE commitments on freedom of movement and human contacts. ODIHR’s assistance is focused on the promotion exchange of best practices aimed at facilitation of cross-border mobility for legitimate travellers.
Deliverables:
Deliverables are determined by ODIHR on the basis of ongoing work and requests from OSCE participating States. The OSCE/ODIHR Migration and Freedom of Movement Advisers will provide policy guidance, administrative support and background information to the expert to enable him/her to complete the above mentioned tasks.
Necessary Qualifications:
- A first-level degree from a university, preferably in a field related to law, security, international affairs, public/business administration, or law or other relevant field;
- Knowledge of OSCE commitments on freedom of movement and human contacts and relevant international standards and recommended practices in the area of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) and/or relevant ICAO standards and recommended practices facilitation of international travel (TRIP strategy and issuance of machine-readable travel documents (MRTDs));
- Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and a minimum of seven years of professional work experience in the area of civil registration and/or issuance of ID and travel documents within government authorities or international organizations;
- International work experience in one or more OSCE participating States would be an asset;
- Experience in design and delivery of assistance to the state authorities in designing and/or reforming civil registration and civil identification systems (ID and travel documents), or visa policy;
- Working knowledge of automated data processing systems and electronic data interchange capabilities;
- Excellent ability to use computers, latest software and contemporary networks;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Strong communication and presentation skills;
- Flexibility, ability to work with minimum supervision and deliver against tight deadlines;
- Excellent working knowledge of English, with strong legal drafting and report writing skills; knowledge of another OSCE language, particularly Russian, would be an asset;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into the given assignment (-s).
When applying, please select your area(s) of expertise (see A and B above) and indicate the type of task that best fits your experience and background (research, training, delivering presentations, report drafting or legislation review).
Remuneration Package: Applicants who are included in the roster will be considered for specific future consultancy assignments, for which remuneration will be determined on the basis of the assignment in question in line with OSCE’s policy.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use OSCE’s online application link found under
The selection of successful candidates will be based on the application and interview. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization and its advisory bodies. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
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