Interested Applicants Contact Prof. Dina Hanyes dhaynes@nesl.edu
Application Closes by February 27, 2014
Background
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.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Chief, Legislative Support Unit, the incumbent 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;
- Providing briefings to 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;
- Making 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 related duties as required.
Necessary Qualifications
- Advanced university degree in law. 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;
- 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;
- Extensive proven 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; ability to advise high-level officials; organizational, and strong legal analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement;
- Ability to work with minimum supervision; experience in working as part of a team is highly desirable.
- Excellent working knowledge of English, with strong legal drafting 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.
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 4,950 (single rate) and approximately EUR 5,300 (dependency rate). OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland.Social security will include participation in the Vanbreda 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.
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.
