Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues (S)

OSCE; Województwo mazowieckie; On-site; PLN 197,000 - 284,000; Full time

Job summary

OSCE ODIHR, CPRSI in Warsaw, seeks a professional to monitor and report on Roma and Sinti issues, draft policy papers, and support programmatic activities. The role involves collaboration with ODIHR departments, field operations, and external partners to implement the 2003 Action Plan and related ministerial decisions.

The incumbent will contribute to training, dialogue facilitation, and outreach to national authorities and civil society; strong English skills and gender awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Second-level university degree in law, political science, sociology or social science, public administration, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights.
• Minimum of five years (seven with a first-level university) of related professional work experience in human rights, public policy, or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of another OSCE language desirable.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and report on human rights situations; advise senior management on potential response.
• Draft and review reports, analyses, briefing papers and background materials related to Roma and Sinti issues and OSCE commitments.
• Contribute to development and implementation of department activities and projects; liaise with OSCE institutions and civil society.

Skills

Monitoring & reporting

Policy analysis

Team collaboration

English communication

Education

Law / political science / sociology or related

International relations / public administration

Gender & diversity awareness

Project management in human rights

Job description

Background

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at OSCE/ODIHR must be borne by their authorities. Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization. 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. The post is located in the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues (CPRSI) within the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw. CPRSI is the focal unit of the OSCE tasked with assisting participating States to effectively implement OSCE commitments pertaining to Roma and Sinti. The objective is further undertaken by sharing expertise, providing assistance, raising awareness and assessing the progress in improving the situation of Roma and Sinti throughout the OSCE region.

Tasks And Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues, Chief of the CPRSI, the incumbent will contribute to the development and implementation of all programmatic activities and projects related to tasks assigned to CPRSI, including in the 2003 Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE area (the Action Plan) and/or as stipulated under relevant Ministerial Council Decisions related to Roma and Sinti. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Monitoring, analysing and reporting on the human rights situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE area, in particular as regards manifestations of racism and discrimination and situations that have the potential for escalating into tensions or conflicts; advising the Chief of CPRSI and ODIHR senior management on potential response;
• Drafting and/or reviewing reports, analyses, briefing papers, memoranda, background materials, talking points and other materials pertaining to the human rights situation of Roma and relevant policy processes, as well as related to the implementation of the OSCE Action Plan and subsequent Ministerial Council Decisions on Roma and Sinti. Analysing and monitoring the impact of new legislation and policies and their effects on Roma and Sinti, and identifying good policy models fostering inclusion and non-discrimination;
• Contributing to and advising on the development and implementation of activities and projects related to the department’s strategic and programmatic outline, as well as of the tasks and overall activities of the department. Co-operating internally with ODIHR departments, establishing and maintaining contacts with relevant OSCE institutions and field operations, and with other relevant intergovernmental and international organizations, national authorities, and Roma and pro-Roma civil society organizations;
• Contributing to and advising on communication, outreach and facilitation of dialogue activities, by planning meetings, field visits, bilateral and multilateral events, drafting and/or reviewing communication materials and correspondence in view of the mandate to assist participating States on implementing their OSCE commitments and improving the situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE area;
• Planning, developing, reviewing and/or implementing training activities and other events targeting stakeholders such as national authorities and Roma and pro-Roma civil society in relation to relevant thematic areas, and in view of strengthening the capacity of stakeholders; facilitating dialogue and networking and promoting trust and understanding.

Education And Experience

• Second-level university degree in law, political science, sociology or social science, public administration, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights;
• A minimum of five years (seven years with a first-level university) of directly related professional work experience in human rights, public policy, or related field, preferably on Roma and Sinti issues;
• Very good understanding of the international environment and functioning of international human rights institutions and bodies in relation to minorities, combating racism and discrimination, equality and inclusion policies;
• Experience in human and minority rights, in Roma and Sinti issues or other vulnerable groups; familiarity with national, regional and international policies and initiatives addressing Roma and Sinti;
• Experience in designing, planning and implementing project activities addressing groups at risk of exclusion and/or discrimination, such as Roma and Sinti;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender and diversity perspective into tasks and activities;
• Experience in monitoring human rights or relevant field experience on human rights, preferably in relation to Roma and Sinti;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is essential; knowledge of another OSCE language is desirable;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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 open for secondment, 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 the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is 10 years.

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 be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

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