Senior Adviser

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media 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, 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.

Free expression and free media are basic human rights. To ensure compliance with media-freedom commitments agreed upon by participating States, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) was established in December 1997. The function of the Representative is to observe relevant media developments in OSCE participating States with a view to providing early warning on violations of freedom of expression. The Representative concentrates on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States. In case of serious problems caused, for instance, by obstruction of media activities and unfavourable working conditions for journalists, the Representative seeks direct contacts with the participating State and other parties involved, assesses the facts and contributes to the resolution of the issue. Another task is to assist participating States by advocating and promoting full compliance with OSCE principles and commitments regarding freedom of expression and free media. Assistance is typically provided in the form of legal analyses of legislation, organizing conferences and roundtables during which best practices are shared and promoted, preparing topical publications and guidebooks on media freedom matters and providing training seminars for media and government officials.

Under the overall leadership and supervision of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media as well as the direct supervision of the Director of Office, the Senior Adviser will be tasked with:

1. Advising the OSCE Representative on media freedom matters, especially on legal/regulatory issues;
2. Being responsible for the Offices monitoring efforts, by monitoring legal and regulatory developments affecting media freedom in the OSCE region;
3. Representing the Office at international conferences, meetings and workshops etc;
4. Liaising with OSCE field presences, other international organizations and media NGOs;
5. Being responsible for administrative duties related to publications, commissioning of reports from outside experts, writing budget or project proposals, in close co-operation with the Director of the Office;
6. Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, please see https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media.

• Second-level university degree in media law, law, political science, media studies, history, journalism or another related field;
• Eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of media law, media regulation, media freedom advocacy, human rights or related experience within the OSCE or another international Organization;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Professional fluency in the English; working knowledge of other OSCE language(s) is desirable;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds, while maintaining  impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to operate Windows applications including word processing and email.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies.

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 applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/states.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

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

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.