Associate Gender Officer (P2)

Background:

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 ODIHR's Democratization Department, Democratic Governance and Gender Unit (DGGU). The Department supports participating States in implementing OSCE human dimension commitments related to democratic institutions and political participation. Within it, the DGGU advances equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance, in line with the ODIHR-specific mandate from the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. The Unit works with parliaments, political parties, national gender equality mechanisms and civil society across the OSCE region through policy advice, capacity-building and targeted assistance.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of Chief of Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, the incumbent performs the following functions:

1. Supporting, developing and implementing  gender equality programme activities: developing and delivering assigned activities promoting equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance, including addressing violence against women in politics; identifying needs and target groups; drafting project proposals and activity concepts; organizing and undertaking assessment and expert missions; and monitoring and evaluating results, under the overall guidance of the Chief of DGGU, and in co-ordination with the Adviser on Gender Equality;

2. Analyzing policy, legislation and institutional practices: monitoring and analyzing developments affecting gender equality in politics, women's rights and participation in political and public life; conducting research and analyses national legal and policy frameworks, democratic institutions and gender equality mechanisms; drafting analytical reports, background papers, technical inputs and recommendations to inform ODIHR programmes and assistance;

3. Supporting, developing and delivering technical assistance and capacity-building: supporting in the designing and delivery of workshops, seminars, consultations and other capacity-building activities for parliaments, political parties, national gender equality mechanisms and other relevant stakeholders; identifying and liaising with experts and participants; preparing substantive materials and adapting activities to institutional needs and contexts of the different participating States;

4. Preparing substantive inputs and knowledge products: drafting briefings, speeches, presentations, reports, guidance materials and other substantive outputs on gender equality and women's political participation; preparing agendas and background materials for ODIHR and mandated OSCE meetings and events; delivering presentations and briefings within the area of responsibility;

5. Co-ordinating assigned programme activities and liaising with partners: liaising with ODIHR departments, OSCE institutions, the OSCE Secretariat and field operations, participating States, international organizations and civil society to exchange information and facilitate the implementation of assigned activities; responding to requests for information and technical inputs; maintaining working-level networks with relevant institutions, experts and partners;

6. Monitoring to ensure effective delivery of assigned programme activities: planning and coordinating the operational and administrative aspects of assigned activities, including expert engagements, missions, events and publications; monitoring implementation and related expenditures within assigned activities; preparing activity and project inputs for reporting; identifying operational improvements and proposes adjustments to strengthen programme delivery.

Necessary qualifications:

• First-level university degree in political science, law, international or public affairs, gender studies, or another related field. A second-level university degree in a related field is an asset;
• A minimum of four years (two years with a relevant second-level degree) of professional-level experience in gender equality, women’s participation in political and public life, democratic governance, human rights or a related field, at the international level; 
• Experience in developing and implementing programme or project activities related to gender equality, women's political participation and/or democratic institutions; 
• Experience in conducting research and analysis and drafting analytical reports, policy documents or other substantive materials; 
• Good knowledge of international standards and frameworks related to human rights, gender equality and women's rights, particularly women’s participation in political and public life; 
• Experience working with public or political institutions, international organizations and civil society organizations; 
• Strong analytical, drafting, organizational and communication skills; 
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, knowledge of Russian or other languages spoken in the OSCE region is an asset;
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while remaining impartial and objective;
• A high degree of gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 5,500 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include 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 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.

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 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 63 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.