Web Developer and Legal Content Coordinator (G6)

Background:

This is an extra-budgetary position under the new phase of the project Strengthening Inclusive and Accountable Democratic Institutions in the OSCE Region.

The initial contract will be for one year renewable subject to availability of funding until the projects end. The project is currently envisaged to last until the end of 2028 and 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 OSCE 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. ODIHRs assistance projects and other activities are implemented in OSCE participating States in accordance with ODIHRs mandate.

The Democratization Department works to assist OSCE participating States in building and consolidating democratic institutions working with government institutions parliaments and political parties other institutions as well as civil society and assisting in policy- and law-making. Within this context the Democratization Department which implements the project covers a broad variety of tasks aiming to increase the participation of women persons with disabilities and youth in politics strengthen parliaments develop multiparty political landscapes improve the integration of migrants and to enhance the quality of law-making processes and the human rights compliance of adopted legislation.

Within the Democratization Department the Legislative Support Unit is in charge of providing expert advice to policy- and lawmakers in the OSCE region to enhance their lawmaking systems and relevant draft and existing legislation to ensure compliance with international human rights and rules of law standards democratic principles and OSCE human dimension commitments. The Legislative Support Unit also manages the ODIHR free online legislative database ( which provides access to the legislation of 57 OSCE participating States on a number of human rights and rule of law related topics but also respective international standards and selected international case-law as well as legal reviews law-making assessments and guidelines published by ODIHR. The position aims to implement and administer elements of the project that relate to improving availability of information and enhancing knowledge-sharing on international human rights standards democratic lawmaking and domestic legislative practices in the human dimension across the OSCE region through the online legislative database by managing the technical and content-related aspects of the legislative database and leading its development upgrading and updating of its legal content ensuring its long-term efficiency functionality security reliability relevance accuracy visibility and accessibility.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the the Chief of the Legislative Support Unit the incumbent is responsible for the following functions:

1. Website Development and Maintenance - design program test debug and implement new application systems releases and modules;

2. Content Management and Legal Updates research collect compile format verify and upload on the website legal documents updates laws and other legal texts and other legal data;

3. Technical Innovation and User Support - propose and implement innovative technical solutions to improve content-management platform as well as database functionality and user experience;

4. Documentation and Training - prepare technical and user documentation for organize and deliver awareness-raising activities/events to raise the visibility of as well as training sessions for staff and external stakeholders on using the legislative database;

5. Coordination and Project Management Support the implementation of the project component related to the online legislative database; liaising with diverse organizational units external contractors and users as necessary;

6. Supporting the organization of meetings training visits publications and related activities for visitors missions and counterparts including provision of guidance on related administrative matters in collaboration with designated internal and external partners and stakeholders in relation to project activities.
   

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

• Completion of secondary education supplemented by specialized training in Information Technology web development programming or a related field;
• Advanced certifications or university-level course/module in law/legal studies or equivalent work experience in the legal field demonstrating legal knowledge is required;
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in web development database management or IT systems preferably in an international or multilingual environment;
• Proven expertise in Drupal development;
• Proven knowledge of legal terminology and concepts;
• Advanced understanding of web development information management systems and legal content integration;
• Ability to apply modern IT tools resolve data discrepancies and deliver results in a complex environment;
• Knowledge of legal principles international human rights and rule of law standards;
• Proficient in web programming languages and technologies (PHP MySQL HTML/CSS JavaScript) and tools like Drupal and GIT / Google Analytics;
• Keeps abreast of emerging web technologies and applies them effectively;
• Knowledge of web content accessibility standards cross-browser compatibility and responsive design principles highly desirable;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Excellent written communication skills in English. Fluency in Russian would be an advantage.
  

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration subject to social security deductions is approximately PLN 10600. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social security will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme (current approximate deduction for a staff member is 68 Euro) and OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an additional amount equivalent to 15% of the employees salary to this pension-style fund while the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System for general services employees.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary 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.

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 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 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.