Legislative Support Officer

Background:

 

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for

the human dimension. The 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. The ODIHR’s assistance projects

and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with the ODIHR’s mandate.

Please note that the expected start date for this position is 1 June 2017.

 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

 

Under the supervision of the Chief, Legislative Support Unit, the Legislative Support Officer performs the following duties:

• Providing expertise and drafting legal commentaries on questions of conformity of domestic legislation with OSCE human dimension commitments and other relevant international standards;
• Assessing the impact of the commentaries prepared by the Unit and proposing follow-up measures necessary for a proper understanding and implementation of recommendations;
• Reviewing compliance of domestic legislation with international human rights standards, including OSCE commitments;
• Providing briefings to the ODIHR management on legislative trends and developments in selected OSCE participating
• States, as well as on questions of international law, including the interpretation of international instruments;
• Following legal developments in selected OSCE participating States;
• Conducting assessments of the legislative systems of OSCE participating States who request such assessments;
• Providing clarifications to requesting parties (participating States, OSCE field operations and institutions, and others) with regard to the legal commentaries falling under his/her responsibility; taking part in expert consultations on the legislation commented upon;
• Promoting and/or organizing follow-up events as appropriate and taking part in conferences, workshops, seminars or public hearings relating to the legislation commented upon;
• Submitting proposals for the design of the ODIHR legislative assistance and reform programme as well as for the evaluation of its outcomes and impact; providing input for the further development of the ODIHR legislative database (www.legislationline.org);
• Designing and ensuring the well-functioning of mechanisms for the proper assignment of funds to activities carried out by the Unit; drafting donor reports based on input collected from all unit members;
• Performing other related duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human

Rights, please see: http://www.osce.org/odihr

 

Necessary Qualifications:

 

• Advanced University degree in Law is required;
• Excellent knowledge of international human rights law, as well as constitutional and comparative law in the area of human rights and the rule of law; some knowledge of legislative drafting techniques/projects is an asset;
• A minimum of six years of professional work experience in law and at least three years of international experience specifically in law reform in countries in transition to democracy is required;
• Extensive experience in drafting legal commentaries on human rights and rule of law issues; comparative knowledge of law-making processes is an asset;
• Political intuition and tact; organizational and strong legal analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Ability to advise high-level officials on law reform and lawmaking issues;
• Excellent working knowledge of English with strong legal drafting skills is required; knowledge of another OSCE working language, particularly Russian, is an asset;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, ethical awareness 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 4,900. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland.

Social security will include participation in the Cigna 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 made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

 

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under

http://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/states.

 

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

 

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.