Criminal Justice Adviser

Background

OSCE field operations are the front line of the OSCE’s engagement on the ground, supporting host authorities in fulfilling OSCE commitments and implementing a comprehensive approach to security. The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the Organization's longest-serving field operation working on inter-ethnic relations, early warning, the rule of law and human rights, democratic governance, transnational threats and police reform.

 * This is a temporary appointment with start date as soon as possible and initial duration of 5 months and 29 days, with possibility of an extension for up to 12 months.

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Criminal Justice and Police Reform Unit and direct supervision of the Senior Criminal Justice and Anti-Corruption Adviser, the incumbent will be responsible for:

1. Contributing to the development and implementation of the overall strategy and policy framework related to the rule of law and the development/reform of the investigative, prosecutorial and other relevant criminal justice systems;
2. Providing recommendations to the Mission’s, Department’s and Unit’s leadership on the analysis, development, and implementation of capacity-building programs/projects in the area of criminal investigations;
3. Assisting the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, prosecutors and other actors in the criminal justice chain in identifying and analyzing challenges/needs/risks, as well as improving strategies, policies and practices in the area of investigations and prosecutions proposing appropriate initiatives, plans, projects and course of activities to address them; 
4. Following up the process of implementation of the criminal code and the law on criminal procedure, including assisting in drafting of administrative regulations, SOPs, rule books etc. as appropriate;
5. Providing training, advice, and mentoring to criminal justice sector officials to establish expertise in building, prosecuting, and hearing cases related to serious criminality;
6. Promoting and facilitating national and international coordination and cooperation among all the relevant authorities and agencies involved in capacity building and other assistance project work in professionalizing the criminal investigations process; 
7. Participating in the delivery of activities and mentoring to national law enforcement, prosecutorial and judicial trainers or other relevant staff on criminal investigations;
8. Organizing, facilitating or participating/representing the Mission in various events aimed at improving capacities to address existing criminal justice challenges with an emphasis on related problems and challenges;
9. Ensuring human rights standards, principles of police ethics, gender and youth mainstreaming and other internationally recognized standards are considered and incorporated in all his/her activities;
10. Supervising the work of one national Mission Member;
11. Performing any other related work as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications

 The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using a manual transmission;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure.

 The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

• University education in law or significant work experience in criminal justice and/or law enforcement 
• Experience in the practice of law, e.g. judges, prosecutors, lawyers, etc. 
• Knowledge of courtroom proceedings and criminal law and procedure 
• Knowledge of international legal procedure standards and instruments
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills 

Furthermore, the candidates should fulfill the following specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding citizenship of or permanent residence of the Republic of North Macedonia;
• First-level university degree in law and significant work experience in criminal justice and/or law enforcement and/or prosecution;
• Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience, to include proven experience in working in the criminal justice chain, specialized crime investigation and active cooperation with prosecutor, and/or legal analysis and reforms within criminal justice sector;
• Proven experience in project management, in particular relating to criminal justice and investigations;
• Ability to work with own initiative and minimum supervision, flexibility and ability to multi-task, work under pressure and within limited timescale;
• Proven facilitation, training, coaching, mentoring and mediation skills especially in relation to criminal investigations and prosecutions;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different gender and cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate gender and youth perspective into tasks and activities;
• Professional fluency in English and effective oral and written communication and presentation skills;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications.

Desirable:

• Proven experience in working for a recognized law enforcement or prosecution agency in an investigatory capacity;
• International experience, particularly with multi-national and international organisations;
• Good understanding of the political and security situation of the region;
• Knowledge of the local language or most common lingua franca spoken in the mission area
   

Remuneration Package

The incumbent shall be entitled to receive Board and Lodging Allowance (BLA) at the current daily rate of 118.00 EUR, in accordance with applicable OSCE regulations.

Social benefits will include participation in the OSCE group health insurance scheme, for which the OSCE will cover 50% of the monthly premium, as well as the OSCE life and accident disability insurance scheme.

For more detailed information on the work of OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see www.osce.org/skopje 

How to Apply

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. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible to apply. 

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

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 are to 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 the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.