Background:
The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.
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.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the general guidance of the Head, Elections Department, the Senior Election Adviser (P4) performs the following functions:
- Supporting the Head, Elections Department and the Deputy on developing methodological frameworks for election activities, on advancing long-term strategies for the Department’s activities and analyzing political and legislative trends in the OSCE area;
- Leading and participating in follow-up missions to present ODIHR election reports, to assess the respective participating State’s preparedness to implement ODIHR recommendations, and to formulate a follow up strategy for a given OSCE participating State;
- Participating in or leading needs assessment missions to recommend possible observation activities in OSCE participating States and follow-up visits;
- Advising election department staff on electoral issues, the formulation of ODIHR recommendations, the content of election reports, good practices in electoral matters, reviews of election legislation, and ongoing, new and emerging challenges in the electoral field;
- Organizing, participating in and reporting on seminars and workshops on election related issues, and participating as a senior representative of the Election Department in these and related activities; and
- Performing other related work as assigned, including the implementation of all stages of election observation and assessment missions as desk officer.
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:
- Second-level University degree in political sciences, international relations, law, social sciences or a related field is required; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
- At least eight years (full-time equivalent) of progressively responsible professional experience, including three years at international level in the field of elections;
- Experience in providing policy and strategic advice;
- Experience in project design and implementation;
- Strategic thinking and strong analytical skills;
- Diplomatic and negotiation skills;
- Initiative, resourcefulness, sound political sense and maturity of judgment;
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
- Organizational skills;
- Excellent computer skills and understanding of modern technologies used during elections and ability to operate all Microsoft applications;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; working knowledge of another OSCE language is desirable;
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Remuneration Package:
Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 8,200 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social security will include participation in the Cigna 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.
Please note that appointments are normally 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 https://vacancies.osce.org/.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post 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 those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-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.
Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
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.
Additional Information
- Issued by: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
- Requisition ID: ODI000071
- Contract Type: International Contracted
- Grade: P4
- Job Type: Contracted
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: ODI – Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw
- Issue Date: Jul 18, 2023
- Closing Date: Aug 8, 2023
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Job Field: Elections
- Target Start Date: Mid-October 2023
