Poland: Associate Democratic Governance Officer

Background:

Please note that this is an extra-budgetary position; the initial contract will be for one year. The expected duration of the project is until December 2018 and the selected candidate should commit to being available for the duration of the project.

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. 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 and guidance of the Chief, Democratic Governance and Gender Unit the incumbent will coordinate the planning and implementation of the project "Our right to participate – Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life, Phase II". The project will address the issue of participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in political and public life mainly through raising awareness, increasing knowledge and organizing dedicated platforms, bringing together persons with disabilities and relevant democratic institutions (executive, legislative, political parties, civil society organizations, etc.) to discuss concerns and propose joint solutions. The project will continue raising awareness across the OSCE institutions of relevant commitments, and mainstreaming the participation of persons with disabilities in different aspects of the work of the organization, through working closely with disability experts, disabled person's organizations and other international organizations to promote more inclusive societies. In particular, the Associate Democratic Governance Officer will be tasked with the following duties:

• Co-ordinating the implementation of the project activities within the framework of the project plan and update the project work plan in consultation with the Chief of the Democratic Governance and Gender Unit;
• Consulting with OSCE field operations and other relevant stakeholders on the implementation of ODIHR programmatic activities in the field of political participation of persons with disabilities;
• Preparing drafts of trip reports, event reports, project monitoring reports, and analytical reports for the Chief of Unit for distribution in ODIHR and to OSCE institutions and others;
• Reviewing and providing feedback on documents and reports developed by different ODIHR departments; when requested, providing internal training and advicing on such aspects as disability mainstreaming in project development, procurement and financial planning;
• Organizing internal events for ODIHR staff on the rights of persons with disabilities, with a specific focus on their participation in ODIHR activities;
• Contributing to publications, including OSCE reports, the website, factsheets, as required;
• Reporting on ODIHR's activities in other international organizations events, including for example, CoE Ad hoc Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure better co-ordination and visibility of ODIHR's activities;
• Maintaining contacts with project partners, civil society representatives, disabled person's organizations and other actors for the purpose of collecting information on existing initiatives and enhancing cooperation with the goal of strengthening political participation of persons with disabilities in the OSCE region;
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see http://www.osce.org/odihr

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in law, international relations, social sciences, political sciences, or related field;
• A minimum of four years of related professional experience in government, international organization or an NGO of which two years at the international level;
• Proven experience in designing, planning and implementing project activities that support the rights and participation of persons with disabilities, preferably focusing on participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life and working with civil society, including disabled people's organizations;
• Good understanding of the international environment in which the rights of persons with disabilities and related activities are being discussed, promoted and implemented as well as knowledge of the functioning of international institutions and bodies entrusted with the task of promoting and overseeing the implementation of treaties, conventions and other instruments related to the rights of persons with disabilities;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills;
• Computer literacy with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of a multinational team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; working knowledge of Russian or other OSCE language is an asset.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 4,000 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include possibility of 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 made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found underhttp://www.osce.org/employment.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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 shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/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.

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 the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.