ISSUED BY OSCE Mission in Kosovo
VACANCY NUMBER VNKOSN02282
VACANCY TYPE Local Contracted
FIELD OF EXPERTISE Human Rights
GRADE NP2
NUMBER OF POSTS 1
DUTY STATION Prishtine / Pristina
DATE OF ISSUE 10 September 2020
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION 7 October 2020 – 23:59 Central European Time (CET/CEST)
DATE OF ENTRY ON DUTY 1 December 2020

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Chief Communities Section, the National Programme Officer, Communities Policy is responsible for:

1. Identifying sources of information, gathering documentation and research and analyses international human and community rights instruments, domestic law standards and the current situation in Kosovo relating to the protection and participation of communities;

a) Identifying by exploring the Internet, and through contacts with Kosovo institutions, international organizations, NGOs, educational institutions and communities, relevant sources of information, reporting and documentation on human rights and community rights;

b) Identifying, studying and analysing international human rights treaties, standard-setting international community rights case-law and relevant best practices and policy options, including authoritative commentaries, and analyse relevant domestic legislation and policy as it relates to the protection and participation rights of communities, in order to assess and provide advice regarding the implementation of standards related to the rights of communities within the domestic legal and political context;

c) Maintaining regular contacts with key interlocutors important for information gathering or action on human rights and community rights issues in Kosovo, including community representatives, government contacts, civil society and relevant international organisations, as well as Mission field teams;

d) Undertaking proactive monitoring to identify and track issues and concerns related to the  protection and participation of communities, including analysis of reports produced by OSCE field staff and other monitoring material and information gathered, contributing to and/or designing specific monitoring exercises to be implemented by Communities Teams in Regional Centres in order to investigate specific issues; and

e) Discussing and analysing issues related to the rights of community rights standards with colleagues of the Communities Section, and share information among and advise relevant Mission colleagues to support monitoring and co-ordination, including providing timely and accurate inputs for Mission consideration as required;

2. Undertaking steps to address identified needs, including project development and implementation, co-ordinated advocacy, and other relevant measures related to fulfilment of human and community rights.

a) Contributing to the development of proposed measures or policies to address identified problems, including the development of Mission projects and proposed legislation or policy amendments;

b) Undertaking, lead or co-ordinate Mission project implementation, including related project administration, Mission field co-ordination activities, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation;

c) Undertaking relevant advocacy steps, and co-ordination of advocacy with Mission field teams and relevant external stakeholders, including facilitation of discussion between relevant authorities and representatives of communities to promote more effective participation and protection of communities’ rights;

d) Contributing to awareness-raising on identified communities rights issues and agreed measures through presentations, events, meetings, policy recommendations and discussions with relevant colleagues, Mission field teams, interlocutors and representatives of respective communities; and

e) Contributing to and/or undertake the development and production of policy reports for public dissemination, briefing papers, talking points and recommendations on the situation of participation and protection of communities in Kosovo;

3. Performing other duties as assigned in support of the Communities Section, including reviewing translations of documents and materials into Albanian and/or Serbian, and occasional interpretation.

Necessary Qualifications 

• First-level university degree, preferably an advanced-level degree, if possible from a foreign academic establishment and including International human rights law subjects. Specialized understanding of human rights concepts and law is essential, gained either through education or experience.
• Minimum of four years of working experience in a professional or academic capacity; some of the working experience should have been acquired in an international organization or mission environment.
• Prior involvement in human rights work would be an asset;
• Ability to adapt legal principles and concepts to different professional and non-professional environments.
• Ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms in order to ensure comprehension of legal standards and principles. Ease of communication and ability to speak in front of groups of different (non-) professional and other backgrounds.
• The incumbent must have undergone core and specialized training designed for the various occupational groups prior to being assigned NPO status.
• The incumbent has to be able to type his/her own reports and to use e-mail and Internet.
• Excellent spoken and written English, including drafting ability; excellent knowledge of Albanian or Serbian is essential. Knowledge of additional local languages (Serbian/Albanian, Roma, Gorani or Turkish) would be an asset.
• 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;
• Holding a valid driver’s license.

Remuneration Package

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 1810.33 Euro/month. Social benefits will include participation in the OSCE Group Insurance Plan (Health, Life, Accidental Disability and Temporary Incapacity Insurance) and the OSCE Provident Fund. 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

In order to apply for this position you must complete the OSCE’s online application form, found under https://jobs.osce.org Applicants are encouraged to use the online recruitment and only fully completed OSCE applications will be accepted. However, if you have technical difficulties with the system you may use the offline application form found under https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: [email protected] In line with your qualifications please indicate preference to one or more field of expertise listed above (while using the online application the field of expertise preference can be indicated in the cover letter part). Kindly note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language would not be considered. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization.

⇒ More information is available here.