Associate Legal 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 OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) provides legal services OSCE-wide with respect to public international law, internal justice matters, financial and contractual matters, and legal issues related to the structure and activities of the OSCE, including claims against it. OLA also advises on personnel matters, develops and strengthens the overall regulatory framework of the OSCE, and advises on its implementation, including with respect to international civil service law.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Associate Legal Officer closely co-ordinates and liaises with Head, Office of Legal Affairs (H/OLA) and Deputy Head, Office of Legal Affairs (DH/OLA) on requests for legal advice to ensure a common and consistent approach in OLA to, inter alia, the interpretation and application of the OSCE Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS), the decisions of the OSCE decision-making bodies, the resolution of administrative and personnel matters, and other matters falling within OLA’s portfolio of responsibilities. The Associate Legal Officer assists H/OLA carry out the main tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office by carrying out research and preparing drafts on the full range of legal issues that affect the OSCE.

Under the overall supervision of the H/OLA, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Giving legal advice on issues of limited scope, such as the application of laws or administrative rules and regulations;
2. Conducting legal research and analysis for the preparation of legal opinions, studies, reports or correspondence; providing legal research and analysis and drafting advice on the interpretation of the regulatory framework of the Organization, including the Financial and Staff Regulations, Rules, Instructions and other administrative issuances, and preparing drafts and reviews proposed amendments thereto; and preparing drafts and reviewing other administrative issuances (e.g., policy guidance, guidelines) and verifying their consistency with the Regulations, Rules and Instructions;
3. Providing legal research and analysis and drafting advice on the full scope of multi-disciplinary, complex and novel legal issues relating to the function of the Organization, including concerning the legal status and privileges and immunities of the OSCE and its officials;
4. Providing support for the drafting, negotiation and interpretation of legal instruments, including international agreements, arrangements, memoranda of understanding or other legal arrangements concluded on behalf of the Organization with participating States, international organizations and other entities;
5. Providing research and support for the drafting of legal advice on contractual matters, as required, including dispute resolution, intellectual property rights, insurance and data protection; participating in the drafting and negotiation of leases and high value and complex commercial contracts with senior officials in the Secretariat, Institutions and Field Operations;
6. Providing secretariat services to various committees and bodies including the provision of legal advice on procedural issues arising in OSCE decision-making bodies;
7. Performing other duties as assigned.    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: https://www.osce.org/secretariat

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in Law; a first-level university degree in Law in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required, including at least one year in international organizations;
• Proven knowledge of the legal frameworks of international organizations;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of another official OSCE language is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 6,100, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Please note that appointments are normally 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 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.

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.