This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at OSCE/ODIHR must be borne by their authorities. Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

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.

The Office's democratization activities include the following thematic areas: rule of law, democratic governance and gender, migration and freedom of movement, and legislative support. The ODIHR implements targeted assistance programmes facilitating and enhancing participating States compliance with OSCE commitments towards the development of democratic structures.

The purpose of the Democratization Department's Rule of Law Unit is to strengthen the supremacy and legitimacy of law in compliance with OSCE principles and international law within the human dimension. Towards that end, the Rule of Law Unit currently conducts a portfolio of projects in the area of judicial independence, criminal and administrative justice reform, trial monitoring and international fair trial rights and election dispute resolutions in the OSCE region.

Under the supervision of the Chief, Rule of Law Unit, the incumbent performs the following functions:

• Conducts research, analysis, and assessments on rule of law issues with a particular focus on judicial and administrative justice development including the effective resolution of electoral disputes;
• Monitors political and judicial/administrative justice developments in the OSCE region, particularly in the countries where the ODIHR carries out programmes, provides briefings to the ODIHR and OSCE officials on rule of law issues with a specific focus on topics mentioned above;
• Develops, implements and evaluates ODIHR projects and activities in the judicial and administrative justice domains, with a focus on strengthening capacity of institutions responsible for the resolution of electoral disputes, and legislative assistance;
• Provides professional advice and expertise to the ODIHR, the OSCE institutions and field operations, governmental and non-governmental agencies in the participating States.

• Advanced University degree in Law;
• Minimum of six years of professional work experience in law, rule of law development or policy issues relating to law, and at least three years of experience specifically in rule of law development in a country in transition to democracy is required;
• Thorough knowledge of international criminal (procedure) law, international public international law including constitutional law and comparative government structures;
• Sound knowledge of international human rights standards regarding fair trials requirements is essential;
• Familiarity with issues related to institutions responsible for the resolution of electoral disputes would be an asset;
• Political intuition, organizational and strong analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and under pressure;
• Ability to operate MS Windows applications;
• Excellent knowledge of English with good drafting skills; knowledge of Russian would be an asset;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of a multinational team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

This post is open for secondment only. Candidates are requested to apply through the OSCE desk of the respective Ministry for Foreign Affairs several days prior to deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of the application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

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

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation.