National Legal Officer, Major Crimes (NP1)

Background:

The post is located in the Rule of Law Section (RoLS) that operates within the larger organizational structure - Human Dimension Department (HDD). The RoLS is one of four programmatic sections of the HDD and it consists of five main portfolios: war crimes and transitional justice, trafficking in human beings, hate crimes, major crimes, and justice sector policy. The core RoLS activities include (i) trial monitoring of individual cases; (ii) monitoring the functioning of the justice sector; (iii) legal research and analysis; (iv) reporting on findings related to systemic issues facing the country’s criminal justice system and associated advocacy and technical assistance efforts; and (v) developing and delivering capacity-building and awareness raising activities. Through these efforts, RoLS supports and assists the justice sector in ensuring respect for and harmonization with international law and accepted best practices, including fair trial standards. 

The main purpose of the role is to develop and implement the Human Dimension Department’s Rule of Law Section’s major crimes portfolio relating to the processing of major crimes and other associated justice sector issues. Should you be selected for this position, you will also conduct legal analysis and research on various aspects of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system’s response to major crimes and supports the legal adviser in implementing corresponding activities. In addition, you will have a leading role in liaising with domestic counterparts and in the execution of the major crime portfolio’s activities, such as various capacity-building, awareness-raising, and advocacy events.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Adviser, Major Crimes (S2), and the overall supervision of the Head of Rule of Law (S3) , the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1.    Developing the Human Dimension Department’s Rule of Law Section’s Major Crimes portfolio relating to the processing of major crimes, such as organized crime and corruption and domestic violence cases, and to legal reforms needed for an effective criminal justice system, including working with interlocutors within police, the judiciary and prosecutors’ offices, providing support to reform processes undertaken in that regard, co-operating and co-ordinating across Rule of Law Section and across Mission Departments, and co-ordinating the Rule of Law Monitoring Assistants at the Head Office and Field Office with regard to cases falling under the major crimes portfolio;

2.  Drafting internal and external memoranda, meeting notes, internal and external reporting requirements, as well as monitoring reports relating to the major crimes portfolio activities and other emerging justice sector issues pertaining to domestic violence, organized crime and corruption, policing issues, and the judicial system’s response to major crimes as a whole;

3. Conducting legal research and analysis, reviewing trial monitoring inputs, gathering contextual background information, following local and wider legislative, institutional, and policy developments, as well as monitoring ongoing and emerging issues pertaining to major crimes as needed for the successful development and implementation of the portfolio’s activities; based on gathered data, advising the Legal Adviser, Major Crimes on the design and formulation of targeted portfolio capacity-building, awareness raising, legislative review, and technical assistance activities to address key areas of deficiency;

4. Executing in co-ordination with the Legal Adviser, Major Crimes, the implementation of portfolio activities – including capacity-building, awareness-raising, and advocacy events, consultations, and discussion forums – which includes but is not limited to administrative duties such as preparing concept notes and budget requests, identifying and liaising with experts, ensuring relevant substantive content, overseeing logistical needs, or providing feedback forms; 

5. Attending events organized by, supported by, or related to the major crimes’ portfolio as a representative of the portfolio and in support of the Rule of Law Section’s programmatic objectives; drafting notes for file and reports on observed trends and notable issues in complement to desk research;

6. Developing strategic partnerships within the Bosnia and Herzegovina legal and international community to ensure open avenues for advocacy and information-gathering; meeting with various international and domestic organizations and institutions, in co-ordination with the Legal Adviser, Major Crimes, and representing the Mission’s position; acting as principal point of contact within the major crimes portfolio for domestic actors.

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 law;
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in domestic legal system, including on criminal justice issues falling under the area of major crimes;
• Established ability to interpret, analyse and apply legislation to factual situations;
• Knowledge of local Criminal Codes, Criminal Procedure Codes, and applicable international human rights standards;
• Excellent writing abilities and proven experience in drafting analytical reports;
• Professional fluency in English and local language with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;
• Possession of a valid driving license, and willingness to drive official vehicles. 

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 3,379.75 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 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 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.