National Programme Officer, Trust-building and Social Cohesion (NP2)

Background:

The post is located in the Democratic Governance Section (DGS) that operates within the larger organizational structure - Human Dimension Department (HDD). The DGS consists of Head Office (HO) staff and staff located in eight Field Offices (FO) across the country. It comprises three distinct but nonetheless interconnected portfolios: anti-corruption, local governance and social cohesion/trust-building/reconciliation. In general, the DGS works on safeguarding democratic and good governance principles at all authority levels, and ensuring that institutions and governments are responsive, transparent, effective, representative and accountable.

The main purpose of the job is to advance the Democratic Governance Project by supporting the development and management of a key project element focused on trust-building, social cohesion and reconciliation. The incumbent is responsible for designing and managing pilot projects to test innovative approaches in the field. This includes overseeing the technical implementation of trust-building programme components, ensuring adherence to international best practices in conflict prevention, transformation and diversity management.

As the primary technical point for all trust-building-related work within the project, the incumbent provides specialized programmatic guidance on diversity and constructive dialogue, develops strategies to enhance community cooperation, social cohesion and resilience, and monitors field-level implementation in collaboration with Field Officers. The role also involves engaging with international and local organizations to develop joint or coherent strategies and ensure regular coordination with various stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental bodies, local authorities, the private sector, and the international community.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the National Chief of Democratic Governance (NP3) and overall supervision of the Deputy Head, HDD (P4), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Overseeing and co-ordinating the day-to-day implementation of the trust-building/social cohesion/reconciliation activities within the Human Dimension Department’s Democratic Governance Project and the broader Mission. This includes timely planning, implementation, systematic monitoring, accurate reporting and rigorous evaluation of the planned activities;

2. Providing advice on and developing strategic directions and guidance on all aspects related to the development and implementation of the trust-building/social cohesion/reconciliation pillar. Designing and overseeing the implementation of initiatives in divided communities through monitoring and evaluation, consultation with Head Office programme staff and the Field;

3. Acting as the Projects’ focal point on trust-building/social cohesion/reconciliation element, providing guidance and consultancy to Head Office and Field staff involved in implementing the work, through preparation of documents and organization of on-site advice, on-the-job training and workshops. This might include specific guidance and advice on areas such as diversity management, mediation techniques and conflict transformation/prevention approaches, civil society engagement that may result in adoption on new policies on a local level;

4. Ensuring that supervised field officers and other DGS officers operate as a cohesive and effective team, providing them with guidance and support in the implementation of their activities. This involves conducting regular visits to the field to monitor progress, address challenges, and offer direct support. Additionally, the role includes establishing and maintaining effective co-ordination mechanisms to enhance collaboration within HDD, and ensure the successful implementation of trust-building/social cohesion/reconciliation activities;

5. Maintaining contacts and co-ordinating with organisations, partners and stakeholders active in trust building, social cohesion and reconciliation in BiH in order to prevent overlap, duplication and to close gaps and gain maximum impact from related initiatives, though regular meetings and monitoring of activities;

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in degree in political and social sciences, public policy, law, or other related areas.
• A minimum of four (4) years of professional-level work experience, preferably in project management, local governance/administration and/or work in the civil society sector;
• Background (formal training and/or experience) in working in post-conflict society on diversity and reconciliation issues;
• Understanding of the role of local authorities, voluntary, community and faith sector in developing and strengthening cohesive communities;
• Thorough knowledge of political structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular of the competencies, functions and legal environment of local government and civil society;
• Excellent communication and analytical skills with proven capacity to formulate complex issuesin simple terms;
• Professional fluency in English and in the local language with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; 
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 3,785.25 BAM/month. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna health insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. At the discretion of the appointing authority a higher step may be approved up to a maximum of step 3 subject to specific conditions

This position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

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.