Migration/Freedom of Movement Adviser

Migration/Freedom of Movement Adviser (S)

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at OSCE/ODIHR must be borne by their authorities.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

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:

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. In this context, 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, including by fostering effective integration policies and practices, promoting human rights at international borders, addressing refugee and statelessness issues, internal displacement and mobility of conflict‑affected populations, assessing the human rights implications of new technologies used in migration management and addressing other emerging issues in the field of migration and freedom of movement. The activities and projects will also foster co‑operation between States, civil society and international organizations and promote a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders working on these matters;

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; developing areas for co‑operation with partner organizations and joint implementation with appropriate international organizations and civil society actors; proposing to the Department’s senior management areas where improvement/remedial action is required on migration and freedom of movement policies, legislation and practices;

Preparing substantive input for and following‑up on OSCE Human Dimension meetings, and other ODIHR meetings on issues related to