Adviser on Gender Equality (P3)

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.

ODIHR’s Democratization Department supports participating States in implementing OSCE human dimension commitments related to democratic institutions and political participation. Within it, the Democratic Governance and Gender Unit (DGGU) advances equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance, in line with the ODIHR-specific mandate from the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. The Unit works with parliaments, political parties and national gender equality mechanisms across the OSCE region through policy advice, capacity-building and targeted assistance.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Chief, DGGU, the Adviser on Gender Equality provides expert advice and leads the design, implementation and evaluation of programmes that promote gender equality and women’s participation in political and public life. To achieve this goal, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Developing, implementing and evaluating targeted activities and projects covering a wide range of topics to support OSCE participating States in meeting their commitments on migration and freedom of movement;
2. Designing and delivering gender-equality programmes: identifying priorities, developing methodologies and project proposals, managing implementation (including finances), and evaluating results to advance equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance;
3. Providing policy and legal analysis: monitoring and analysing public policy, legislation and state practices affecting women’s rights and gender equality in politics; assessing national legal frameworks and gender equality mechanisms; preparing analytical reports, hands-on guides and recommendations;
4. Leading knowledge and advocacy at OSCE fora: preparing substantive inputs, agendas and background materials; identifying and liaising with speakers; delivering presentations and briefings at mandated human dimension meetings and other events;
5. Co-ordinating across OSCE and with partners: ensuring systematic co-ordination with ODIHR departments, the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Issues Programme, field operations and external organisations to maximise complementarity and impact;
6. Representing ODIHR and providing expert advice: engaging with participating States and stakeholders at conferences and meetings; responding to requests for information and technical assistance; promoting ODIHR approaches and standards;
7. Managing resources and delivery: overseeing consultant recruitment and supervision; organising workshops, missions and publications; ensuring compliance with OSCE/ODIHR rules; maintaining donor/partner reporting and contributing o strategic planning.
8. Performing other related duties, as required.

Necessary qualifications:

Second-level university degree in gender studies, social and political science, law, sociology, public administration or other related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

A minimum of five years (seven years with a first-level university) of increasingly responsible related professional experience in gender equality and women’s participation in political life;

Proven experience in designing, planning and managing projects that support equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance;

Strong knowledge of international instruments and institutions promoting gender equality, and excellent understanding of how they function and are implemented;

Computer literacy (Microsoft applications);

Excellent written and oral English; knowledge of Russian is an asset;

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 7,100 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. 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. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment.

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.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

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 OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process. Additional Information