Migration/Freedom of Movement Adviser (S)

Osce; Warszawa; Hybrid; PLN 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

OSCE ODIHR is seeking a Migration/Freedom of Movement Adviser (S) for secondment in Warsaw. The role focuses on supporting OSCE participating States with migration commitments and border management, through policy analysis, training and capacity-building activities.

Excellent English and regional knowledge are essential. The incumbent will lead multi‑stakeholder initiatives, draft policy guidance, and coordinate with international partners to strengthen human rights protections in migration and

Qualifications

• Second-level university degree required; first-level degree with two years relevant experience may be accepted.
• Experience in government, international organization or NGO with migration/freedom of movement focus preferred.
• Strong analytical, drafting and research capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Developing, implementing and evaluating activities to support OSCE states on migration and freedom of movement.
• Conducting assessments and designing capacity-building initiatives (trainings, workshops, reports).
• Monitoring policy developments and preparing analyses of OSCE commitments.
• Preparing input for OSCE Human Dimension meetings and related events.
• Networking with partners and managing liaison with OSCE bodies and international organizations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written drafting

Research skills

Presentation skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Second-level university degree in political science, sociology, international relations, law, human rights law public policy or related field

Job description

Migration/Freedom of Movement Adviser (S)

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.

ODIHR’s Migration and freedom of Movement Unit is organized as part of the Democratization Department of the Office. ODIHR’s mandate on migration and freedom of movement is rooted in the commitments of OSCE participating States (pSs) to facilitate the integration of migrants, uphold human rights in migration and border management, safeguard the freedom of movement, combat discrimination against migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, and promote the dignified treatment of individuals crossing borders, in accordance with international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law. Under this framework and through targeted and locally contextualized interventions, ODIHR raises awareness and enhances the capacity of national, regional, and local stakeholders, including civil society and human rights defenders in ensuring that migration and border management is in line with international human rights standards and that migrants’ rights are protected.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head, Democratization Department, the incumbent develops and implements activities aimed at assisting OSCE participating States in meeting OSCE commitments on migration and freedom of movement using the unique position of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue. To achieve this goal, the incumbent performs the following duties:

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. In this context, conducting assessments, designing and implementing strategic capacity‑building initiatives (training courses, workshops, other events, reports and guidance materials) in support to reform efforts of OSCE participating States focused on strengthening migration management and integration frameworks across the OSCE region, promoting social cohesion and protecting migrants’ rights, including by fostering effective integration policies and practices, promoting human rights at international borders, addressing refugee and statelessness issues, internal displacement and mobility of conflict‑affected populations, assessing the human rights implications of new technologies used in migration management and addressing other emerging issues in the field of migration and freedom of movement. The activities and projects will also foster co‑operation between States, civil society and international organizations and promote a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders working on these matters;

Monitoring and analysing public policy, legislation and practices in OSCE participating States related to migration and freedom of movement, by undertaking desk research, information exchange and fact‑finding missions; preparing comparative and other analyses of OSCE participating States’ compliance with OSCE commitments; developing areas for co‑operation with partner organizations and joint implementation with appropriate international organizations and civil society actors; proposing to the Department’s senior management areas where improvement/remedial action is required on migration and freedom of movement policies, legislation and practices;

Preparing substantive input for and following‑up on OSCE Human Dimension meetings, and other ODIHR meetings on issues related to migration and freedom of movement by carrying out substantive work for OSCE Human Dimension meetings and other ODIHR meetings on issues related to migration and freedom of movement, including drafting of agenda, identifying speakers, moderators, rapporteurs as well as key participants from other OSCE institutions, international and non‑governmental organizations; contributing to the final report based on identified key recommendations;

Preparing substantive input with recommendations on policy action to analytical reports, taskings, briefings by compiling background information and analysis on migration and freedom of movement issues, including the related current events and political issues, and Department programmatic activities, preparing talking points and other assigned tasks for ODIHR management; and contributing to annual reporting on ODIHR programmatic activities;

Networking and maintaining contacts with partner organizations and experts on migration and freedom of movement, integration policies, visa policy and entry/exit regulations, human rights at borders, new technology in border management, asylum, statelessness, internal displacement and other emerging issues in order to exchange information, co‑coordinate activities and facilitate implementation of the migration and freedom of movement programme as well as to develop new areas for co‑operation;

Serving as the ODIHR Democratization Department contact point for requests to the ODIHR on the implementation of OSCE commitments on migration and freedom of movement, by maintaining regular contacts with other OSCE bodies, providing information and briefings to the Delegations of the OSCE participating States and maintaining regular working level contacts with other international organizations;

Representing the ODIHR Democratization Department at international conferences, co‑ordination meetings of international organizations and other events on the issues related to the migration/freedom of movement portfolio; delivering presentations and interventions on behalf of ODIHR on issues related to the freedom of migration/movement portfolio; briefing the ODIHR management on the results of these conferences and meetings.

Education and Experience:

Second-level university degree in political science, sociology, international relations, law, human rights law public policy or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;

A minimum of five years (seven years with a first-level university degree) of professional‑level experience in a government, international organization or NGO, including at least three years on migration/freedom of movement issues;

Knowledge of the migration and freedom of movement situation in OSCE participating States as well as work experience in a national authority responsible for entry/exit regulations such as a migration service, and/or expert knowledge on migration, integration policies, visa policy, entry/exit regulations, human‑rights at borders, new technology in border management, asylum, statelessness, and/or internal displacement in the OSCE region;

Demonstrated and extensive experience in programme development and project management;

Excellent analytical, written drafting and research skills;

Ability to think strategically and design impactful activities autonomously;

Strong presentation skills and ability to interact effectively with high‑level officials on migration‑related topics in particularly human rights of migrants and other human dimension issues;

Solid training skills, ability to design and implement training courses and workshops using interactive methods;

Knowledge and/or work experience in a field operation of an international organization, including the OSCE is an asset;

Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of other OSCE languages, especially Russian, is an asset;

Knowledge and work experience in the regions of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia is desirable;

Demonstrated experience developing and/or maintaining a network of partners, experts and civil society organizations is desirable.

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.

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.

• Issued by: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
• Requisition ID: ODI000319
• Contract Type: International Secondment
• Grade: S
• Job Type: Seconded
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: ODI - Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw
• Issue Date: Sep 1, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Democratization
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible

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