Background:
The work of the Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) focuses on a range of security issues, including countering terrorism, border security and transnational threats such as human trafficking, to developing the countryโs regions, strengthening efforts to combat corruption on all levels, as well as supporting the reform of the justice sector, implementation of election reform, gender equality and building open and resilient societies.
The post is located in the Human Dimension Department (HDD). The Human Dimension Department is implementing various projects focused on strengthening the administration of justice by contributing to the ongoing reform of the criminal justice system, assisting in the implementation of penitentiary reform, the prevention of violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism in prisons and the prevention of the use of torture in detention facilities. The department is active in promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, supports initiatives aimed at the promotion of persons with disabilitiesโ labour rights and works with law enforcement agencies, civil society, and local government institutions, to strengthen their capacity in preventing and fighting human trafficking and addressing migration issues.
Main Purpose:
The National Penitentiary Reform Officer provides information on the provisions and legislative human rights protections in the Kyrgyz Republic, and analyses and reports on international human rights legislation, specifically as it pertains to best practices and standards as pertains to penitentiary reform and torture prevention. The Officer plans and supervises the implementation of the projects and programme activities in the portfolio of penitentiary reform and torture prevention issues, provides information and advice on relevant legislation and international standards, liaises with all relevant domestic partners in the Kyrgyz penitentiary system as well as relevant international partners. Working with limited supervision, the Officer gives recommendations and advice to the Rule of Law Officer on issues related to penitentiary reform and human rights, specifically as relates to torture prevention, and the strategies on programme development and project implementation. The National Penitentiary Reform Officer gives a motivated view from a programmatic and expert perspective to the Rule of Law Officer on penitentiary reforms and the seriousness of human rights allegations and provides advice to HDD management on all matters related to penitentiary reform and torture prevention in the Kyrgyz Republic.Work Relationships:
The National Penitentiary Reform Officer reports directly to the Rule of Law Officer, while the Head of Human Dimension Department acts as the second-level supervisor. The National Penitentiary Reform Officer supervises two Programme Associates and one Project Assistant. Internal contacts are mainly with the Rule of Law Officer and the Head of Human Dimension Department, in reporting and informing on project activity implementation. Other internal contacts include the Deputy Head of Mission and other departmental Programme Managers to co-ordinate and plan UB and ExB project activities. External contacts involve communication with Government (Ministry of Justice, SEP, Ombudsman, NCPT, other relevant ministries and state agencies) Police, NGOs, project implementation partners, international organisations, local community organizations and members of civil society for information exchange, capacity building co-ordinating activities/support, legislative initiatives, best practices, and recommendations.
Key Functions and Results:
Provides advice and support for programme planning and implementation. Monitors and reports on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, with a specific focus on penitentiary reform and torture prevention. Identifies areas for intervention and provides advice on future strategy directions and opportunities while developing initiatives to support Human Dimension goals, particularly those related to torture prevention and penitentiary reform; Prepares programme outlines and project documents (including project proposals, monitoring and evaluation reports); identifies relevant partners for the implementation of programmes and projects and develops working modalities. Co-ordinates with other POiB departments on (cross-dimensional) potential ExB project planning, fundraising and implementation (PMD, EED, PCU); Organizes, implements and manages human dimension projects. Prepares project documentation, narrative and financial reports on project and programme implementation for reporting to donors and internally within the OSCE. Identifies, interviews and arranges national and international experts/implementing partners for activities. Compiles background information; develops project proposals and implementation plans; designs and drafts supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; Collects, registers, reports and maintains information on project activities, follows up on all aspects of penitentiary reform and torture prevention project activities, including the provision of functional support to project implementation; in co-ordination with implementing partners assesses and reports on programme implementation and related issues; keeps records on project expenditures and financial status; reports regularly to the immediate supervisor, drafts background and briefing papers. Pays field visits and participates fully in subsequent discussions and decision making regarding follow up actions on projects. Regularly meets with a variety of local stakeholders from Kyrgyz government and civil society; Provides regular reports and on-going liaison support. Provides inputs for reports (regular and ad hoc) on assigned and project-related issues and topics. Meets regularly with local and international organizations in the field of Human Rights, and specifically penitentiary reform and torture prevention; liaises with international organizations and institutions, attends and reports at working group meetings, facilitates organization of workshops, roundtables and conferences; briefs visiting OSCE institutions and partner international organizations; Attends and contributes to briefings and give presentations to visiting delegations, with a particular emphasis on penitentiary reform and prevention of torture.For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-bishkek .
Necessary Qualifications:
Remuneration Package:
Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is 1569 euros/month. Social benefits will include OSCE participation in the Cigna medical 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.
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
Issued by: OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek Requisition ID: KYR000266 Contract Type: Local Contracted Grade: NP1 Job Level: National Professional Job Type: Contracted Number of posts: 1 Location: KYR - OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Bishkek Issue Date: Apr 4, 2025 Closing Date: May 3, 2025 Employee Status: Fixed Term Schedule: Full-time Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent) Job Field: Human Rights Target Start Date: As soon as possible