Head, Human Dimension Department (S3)

General Minimum Requirements

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 manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure 

Field of Expertise Requirements

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

• Second-level university degree in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, international human rights law or other human rights related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree. 
• Experience working with human rights, minority or gender issues
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in drafting reports
   

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree in political sciences, international relations, public policy, law, international human rights law or other human rights related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree. 

Experience:

Minimum of 6 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 3 years at management level.
 

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Previous significant experience in analysing developments affecting the exercise and implementation of human, civil, political, social-economic and cultural rights and in formulating policy in one or more of these areas;
• Working experience in the areas of rule of law, democratization, human rights and fundamental freedoms, media policy, gender policy and the rights of individuals belonging to national minorities and/or other areas of domestic policy related to the promotion and protection of rights;
• Command of the project management cycle, strategic planning processes, budget development and results-based methodologies in all of the above;
• Experience in negotiations, mediation and/or dialogue facilitation with governmental authorities, civil society and international actors;
• Strong managerial skills to manage, to coach and work with and as part of a team of people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated sensitivity and skills in understanding and respecting gender considerations and the professional working environment; 
• Thorough understanding of multidisciplinary issues in international co-operation;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Professional fluency in the English language and the ability to draft documents clearly and concisely;
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail
• 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.

Desirable:

• Work experience in field missions, preferably in the Central Asia or South Caucasus regions;
• Working level knowledge of Russian or Tajik/Persian languages.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Head of the Human Dimension Department provides support and advice to the Head of Office and Deputy Head of Office on all issues that affect the exercise and implementation of human, civil, political, social-economic and cultural rights. Under the supervision of the Head of Office and Deputy Head of Office, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Managing the day-to-day operations of the Human Dimension Department and providing direction to its activities in accordance with mandate of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD);
2. Coaching and supervising the team of the department and ensuring office staff working on human dimension issues receives sufficient support from other responsible thematic units;
3. Co-ordinating and monitoring the development and implementation of Unified Budget and any extra budgetary activities related to rule of law, democratization, human rights and fundamental freedoms, media policy, gender policy and the rights of individuals belonging to national minorities and/or other activities related to the promotion and protection of rights;
4. Overseeing and analysing reporting on developments related to rule of law, democratization, human rights and fundamental freedoms, media policy, gender policy and the rights of individuals belonging to national minorities and/or other issues related to the promotion and protection of rights;
5. Informing Senior Management of priority issues in the promotion, protection and implementation of rights, identifying priority initiatives and contributing to planning these for the POiD;
6. Reviewing, approving and/or submitting for approval strategies, concepts and approaches to meet new challenges on policy issues related to the priorities of the POiD;
7. Facilitating contacts and promoting co-ordination and co-operation on Human Dimension issues with government and local authorities, civil society representatives and international actors; participating in interagency meetings and encouraging cross-dimension co-operation within Office programming;
8. Maintaining contact and exchanging information with the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC), the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Office of the Representative on Freedom of Media (RFOM) and the Office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM);
9. Assisting in arranging OSCE regional events, regional seminars and visits to the area by OSCE delegations, as well as other events with OSCE participation;
10. Directly supervising four seconded staff members, one national professional and one senior secretary in the performance of their duties and serving as a second level supervisor for the remaining staff of the Department (sixteen national staff members); and
11. Performing other duties as required.    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: http://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-dushanbe

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

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.

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.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. 

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

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.