Associate Research Officer (P2, STA)

Background:

This is a short-term (STA) position for the period of 5 months 29 days, with a possibility of extension for another 5 months 29 days.

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 monitoring mandate is based on a number of commitments (Helsinki 1992, Budapest 1994, Oslo 1998, Maastricht 2003). Moreover, ODIHR serves as a point of contact for information provided by participating States (Rome 1993), and participating States have expressed their determination to co-operate within the OSCE and with its institutions and representatives in a spirit of solidarity and partnership in a continuing review of implementation of commitments (Istanbul 1999).

The Human Rights Department (HRD) of the ODIHR collects thematic and country-based information on the human rights situation in pSs based on OSCE commitments and international human rights standards, identifying areas of concern and developing targeted, gender-sensitive recommendations to OSCE pSs on how to address identified gaps. In this regard, the extra-budgetary (ExB) Human Rights Monitoring Fund under the HRD envisages three types of activities: 1) rapid response; 2) country specific monitoring of the situation of human rights defenders; 3) enhancing the accessibility of capacity-building tools for human rights monitoring.

HRD has extensive experience of conducting monitoring activities in line with its mandate. Since 2022, ODIHR has been implementing rapid response activity (1) under the Fund in order to monitor violations of international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL) in the context of the war in Ukraine.

In the light of regional changing contexts and security challenges HRD is seeking an Associate Research Co-ordinator to monitor and analyse potential IHRL and IHL violations through open source monitoring to gather, sort and analyse data from publicly available sources, including social media, video and image-sharing websites, mapping tools and satellite imagery.

The objective of this recruitment is to select one successful candidate and to establish a roster of suitable candidates for the same and similar positions.
 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Associate Research Officer reports to the Research Co-ordinator, and performs the following functions:

1. Responding to research needs by collecting information from open sources, and providing recommendations for monitoring activities;
2. Supporting implementation of the project by advising on programmatic activities, and providing inputs for progress reports to donors;
3. Contributing to project implementation systematically through discussions and correspondence with project staff and monitors, through analysing of exchanged information; 
4. Collecting and analysing information and evidence in electronic and digital format, as well as social networking sites and determine credibility and reliability of information gathered on alleged violations of IHL and IHRL;
5. Collecting information on specific alleged violations of IHL and IHRL, as requested by the Research Co-ordinator;  
6. Verifying information collected from open sources as well as from monitoring missions,  and record results in analysis reports;
7. Analysing information collected from monitoring deployments, and record results in analysis reports;
8. Supporting analysis and development of individual case files concerning alleged violations of IHL and IHRL;
9. Storing all collected information including drafting data retention protocols and data transfer protocols, and maintaining all collected information; 
10. Participating in regular team meetings, briefings with other members of the team and topical meetings with ODIHR staff, as required;

11. Conducting in-person and/or remote interviews to gather information, as required.    

        

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in political science, international relations, foreign affairs, law or related field is required;

• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in open-source systems, and methodologies to conduct research, information collection, or analysis, in an international environment and in the field of human rights;

• Experience in monitoring human rights during times of armed conflict or other crisis situations;

• Proven ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyse information and draft human rights reports;

• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint);

• Ability to work under time pressure work with sensitive content and meet tight deadlines;

• Experience with interviewing people with trauma and experience in application of human rights monitoring principles is an asset;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;

• Working knowledge of other OSCE region languages, especially Russian and Ukrainian is highly desirable;

• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, ethical awareness and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
   

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 5,700 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social security will include participation in the Cigna International medical insurance scheme.

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 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 for short-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.

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.