Assistant Project Officer

Background
This is an extra-budgetary position. The expected duration of the project is until 31 December 2026, with possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds. The selected candidate should commit to being available for the duration of the project.
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 Human Rights Department assists OSCE participating States in fulfilling their obligations to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Within the redesigned project "Increasing effectiveness, strengthening the enabling environment for human rights defenders" (hereinafter: the project) ODIHR will implement a set of interventions to promote a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders (HRDs), including national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and journalists, and to support them in conducting their work more effectively and securely. This will include assessing the situation of HRDs in participating States, building their capacity to conduct their human rights work safely, and strengthening their ability to communicate with target audiences and better advocate on key human rights concerns, including through the use of technology tools.

With the overall objective to increase the effectiveness of HRDs in promoting and protecting human rights in OSCE participating States the project will build on ODIHR's strong track record of training HRDs on monitoring, including on the issue of freedom of peaceful assembly, as well as on safety, security and communication. It will increase capacity of HRDs in utilizing new communication strategies, methods and technologies.

The project is implemented between September 2020–December 2026 (in accordance with the last extension pursuant to a 2024 project modification).

Tasks And Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Project Officer and working closely with Human Rights Advisers as the leads on the substantive portfolios, the incumbent will support the implementation of project activities and provide support for the organization of events, capacity-building activities and project missions, in particular:

• Monitoring relevant political and other developments related to project activities;
• Assisting the project team in drafting concept notes, talking points and briefing material on project-related activities;
• Assisting in the preparation of ToRs, Special Service Agreements (SSA) for experts, trainers and facilitators and partner agreement (IPA) selection procedures;
• Assisting the project team in planning activities, including drafting and updating project work plans, project reports and cost estimates for project activities;
• Helping establish and update contact details with key stakeholders relevant for the implementation of project activities;
• Researching and collecting information to inform the project logframe;
• Helping prepare and organizing project monitoring meetings;
• Managing project-related information;
• Supporting the project team in organizing events, including compilation of event materials, and correspondence with facilitators, speakers and participants;
• Co-operating with administrative assistants in ODIHR and OSCE field operations in arranging travel for speakers, trainers, facilitators and project staff;
• Assisting in the organization of needs assessment visits and other project-related missions;
• Compiling evaluation forms on project events and assisting with other monitoring and evaluation activities;
• Preparing minutes of meetings, mission and meeting reports.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see

Necessary Qualifications

• First-level university degree in human rights law, international affairs, social or political sciences or other relevant field;
• A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience working on human rights, preferably in the OSCE region;
• Experience in working with civil society partners and international stakeholders in the area of human rights;
• Experience providing knowledge of relevant international human rights standards and OSCE commitments;
• Experience providing familiarity with the situation of human rights defenders and civil society organizations in the OSCE region;
• Experience working with national and international human rights organizations and experts;
• Experience in project management, in particular donor-funded projects;
• Experience in the implementation of training or awareness-raising projects with civil society organizations;
• Experience assisting in the organization of conferences and events, particularly of capacity-building nature and related to human rights;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. Working knowledge of other OSCE languages, in particular Russian, is desirable;
• Computer literacy with practical experience using Microsoft applications;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package
Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 4,400 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

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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

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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

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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.