National Legal Officer (NP2)

Background:

The post is located in Head Office Sarajevo within the Human Rights Section (HRS), which operates under the broader Human Dimension Department (HDD). HRS consists of Head Office (HO) staff and staff located in eight Field Offices (FO) across the country. HRS comprises four distinct but nonetheless interconnected portfolios: enhancing fundamental freedoms, digital rights, advocating for economic and social rights, and supporting Roma and other minorities. Overall, HRS aims to improve the human rights situation in the country by implementing relevant project activities, including monitoring the state of human rights, advocating for improvements and increased human rights protections, and providing technical support to key counterparts.

The main purpose of the post is to monitor and analyse domestic legislation and provide written and oral legal advice on various issues regarding draft and existing legislation, implementation of regulatory frameworks and policies affecting human rights to Head of Section, Human Rights Advisers, National Programme Officers at Head Office and FOs. The incumbent also provides targeted inputs for the Head and Deputy Head of Human Dimension Department (HDD Management) and other senior staff, as appropriate. In doing so, the incumbent plays a crucial role in ensuring that the department is able to follow domestic legislation and relevant international developments, identify key legal issues and human rights concerns, and plan appropriate responses, actions and advocacy steps. Legal assessments made by the National Legal Officer are important components for formulating and executing the department’s overall human rights strategy. For the planning and implementation of any programmatic actions within the sphere of human rights, the National Legal Officer is key staff influencing the quality of analysis and possibilities for informed and appropriate actions taken by the Human Rights Section, HDD and the Mission.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Human Rights (S3), and the overall supervision of the Deputy Head, HDD (P4), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Analysing legal issues on human rights, as indicated by the supervisor or HRS portfolio holders, including, civil law (substantive and procedural), administrative law, laws on social protection, antidiscrimination and national human rights institutions, fundamental freedoms (freedom of media, freedom of religion or belief and freedom of association, digital rights as well as Annex 7 related legal and policy framework and relevant court decisions;

2. Supervising and co-ordinating the work of National Programme Officers, Human Rights in monitoring and analyzing human rights issues in the field, and/or analyses and advises on national legislation;

3. Providing oral and written feedback and analysis on diverse human rights issues following the requests made by HDD Management, the Head of Section or other members of HRS team; monitoring systematic human rights concerns, especially in the areas of economic and social rights, equality and non-discrimination, minority rights, returns, fundamental freedoms, domestic violence as well as bias related incidents and preparing respective advocacy strategies as to how appropriate levels of government may be more ‘human rights compliant’;

4. Analysing legislation, policies and practice to ensure domestic compliance with international human rights law and standards and identifies gaps between international human rights standards and domestic law and practice;

5. Meeting with various international and domestic organizations and institutions and represents the Mission’s position. Such meetings also serve to inform other organisations of the Mission’s activities and ensure appropriate co-ordination with other organisations as necessary.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina.

Necessary Qualifications:

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 3,785.25 BAM/month. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna health insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

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.

This position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

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 62 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