Senior Legal Assistant (G6)

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 social cohesion, fundamental rights, gender equality, the rule of law, good governance, integrity and anticorruption, criminal justice and police reform.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the National Legal Officer, the incumbent provides legal, administrative, and clerical support to the Mission, as well as thematic support in the rule of law and human rights field through research, implementation of projects activities, preparation of documents or participation in meetings. More sprecifically, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

1.    Assisting the National Legal Officer in providing legal and administrative support to the Mission by reviewing projects, implementing partner agreements, memorandums of understanding, donation agreements and commercial contracts, verifying/checking compliance with the Common Regulatory Management System, providing inputs for verbal notes, addressing individual cases involving Mission Members and Mission interests, etc.;
2.    Contributing to the planning/designing and implementation of programmatic activities, especially in the delivery of training and capacity building in the rule of law and human rights field; 
3.    Following developments of the international fair trial and human rights standards and monitoring of trials, as required;
4.    Assisting in providing opinions/inputs/comments on applicable or draft legislation, draft publications and pertinent legal issues, used for information and future reference;
5.    In support of the National Legal Officer, liaising with the Office of Legal Affairs in the Secretariat, and with national and international partner institutions, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Constitutional Court, Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, courts, European Union and United Nations offices in the host country, etc.;
6.    Translating legal documents and correspondence, and interpreting at meetings with relevant interlocutors, as needed;
7.    Providing regular updates on publications in the Official Gazette, or other relevant legal databases, and other relevant legal developments;
8.    Acting as replacement of the National Legal Officer in his/her absence;
9.    Performing other duties as assigned.  

Necessary Qualifications

•    Citizenship of or permanent residence in the Republic of North Macedonia;
•    Completed secondary education supplemented by studies or vocational training in legal matters. 
•    Minimum 6 years of relevant working experience, preferably in legal affairs or in the rule of law field, in national or international institution dealing with human rights and legal issues;
•    Knowledge and experience in translating legal documents and in interpretation at meetings or interviews;
•    Demonstrated ability for acting with sensitivity, discretion and confidentiality;
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Macedonian languages; specifically in legal terminology. Knowledge of other local languages would be an asset;
•    Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft packages;
•    Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
•    Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is approximately EUR 1,975.00.

Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance and the OSCE Provident Fund.

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.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see: OSCE Mission to Skopje.

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 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.