Migration/Freedom of Movement Adviser (P3)

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. 

ODIHR’s Migration and freedom of Movement Unit is organized as part of the Democratization Department of the Office. ODIHR’s mandate on migration and freedom of movement is rooted in the commitments of OSCE participating States (pSs) to facilitate the integration of migrants, uphold human rights in migration and border management, safeguard the freedom of movement, combat discrimination against migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, and promote the dignified treatment of individuals crossing borders, in accordance with international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law. Under this framework and through targeted and locally contextualized interventions, ODIHR raises awareness and enhances the capacity of national, regional, and local stakeholders, including civil society and human rights defenders in ensuring that migration and border management is in line with international human rights standards and that migrants’ rights are protected.  

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head, Democratization Department, the incumbent develops and implements activities aimed at assisting OSCE participating States in meeting OSCE commitments on migration and freedom of movement using the unique position of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue. To achieve this goal, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Developing, implementing and evaluating targeted activities and projects covering a wide range of topics to support OSCE participating States in meeting their commitments on migration and freedom of movement;
2. Conducting assessments, designing and implementing strategic capacity-building initiatives (training courses, workshops, other events, reports and guidance materials) in support to reform efforts of OSCE participating States focused on strengthening migration management and integration frameworks across the OSCE region, promoting social cohesion and protecting migrants’ rights;
3. Monitoring and analysing public policy, legislation and practices in OSCE participating States related to migration and freedom of movement, by undertaking desk research, information exchange and fact-finding missions; preparing comparative and other analyses of OSCE participating States’ compliance with OSCE commitments;
4. Developing areas for co-operation with partner organizations and joint implementation with appropriate international organizations and civil society actors; networking and maintaining contacts with partner organizations and experts on migration and freedom of movement;
5. Proposing to the Department’s senior management areas where improvement/remedial action is required on migration and freedom of movement policies, legislation and practices;
6. Preparing substantive input for and follows-up on OSCE Human Dimension meetings, and other ODIHR meetings on issues related to migration and freedom of movement;
7. Preparing substantive input with recommendations on policy action to analytical reports, taskings, briefings by compiling background information and analysis on migration and freedom of movement issues;
8. Serving as the ODIHR Democratization Department contact point for requests to the ODIHR on the implementation of OSCE commitments on migration and freedom of movement,
9. Representing the ODIHR Democratization Department at international conferences, co-ordination meetings of international organizations and other events on the issues related to the migration/freedom of movement portfolio.
10. Performing other related duties, as required.

Necessary qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in political science, sociology, international relations, law, human rights law public policy or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of five years (seven years with a first-level university) of professional-level experience in a government, international organization or NGO, including at least three years on migration/freedom of movement issues;
• Knowledge of the migration and freedom of movement situation in OSCE participating States as well as work experience in a national authority responsible for entry/exit regulations such as a migration service, and/or expert knowledge on migration, integration policies, visa policy, entry/exit regulations, human-rights at borders, new technology in border management, asylum, statelessness, and/or internal displacement in the OSCE region;  
• Demonstrated and extensive experience in programme development and project management;
• Excellent analytical, written drafting and research skills;
• Ability to think strategically and design impactful activities autonomously;
• Strong presentation skills and ability to interact effectively with high-level officials on migration-related topics in particularly human rights of migrants and other human dimension issues;
• Solid training skills, ability to design and implement training courses and workshops using interactive methods;
• Knowledge and/or work experience in a field operation of an international organization, including the OSCE is an asset;
• Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of other OSCE languages, especially Russian, is an asset;
• Knowledge and work experience in the regions of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience developing and/or maintaining a network of partners, experts and civil society organizations is desirable.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 7,100 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 62 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.