Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief (P3)

Background:

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 (HRD), one of the Office’s five Departments, has a large portfolio of human rights projects, in areas including anti-trafficking in human beings, human rights capacity-building, torture prevention, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of peaceful assembly, human rights, gender and security, human rights and new technologies, NHRIs, human rights and anti-terrorism, and human rights defenders. The purpose of the department is to advance the ODIHR human rights mandate, that is to assist participating States in the implementation of their Human Dimension Commitments and to empower civil society actors. The position is based within the Freedom of Religion or Belief Programme.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Head, Human Rights Department, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Advising, developing, and implementing programmatic activities and projects on freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, in co-operation with OSCE structures, government counterparts and civil society;
2. Designing, implementing, and evaluating capacity-building initiatives, training programmes, and field activities such as workshops, seminars, and dialogues;
3. Liaising with OSCE field missions, human dimension focal points and implementing partners to collect, analyse, and exchange information supporting programme development and reporting;
4. Preparing project proposals, budgets and donor reports, and maintaining accurate records in information management systems;
5. Establishing and maintaining co-operation with government authorities, international organisations, and NGOs, and supervising experts and contractors engaged in programme delivery;
6. Monitoring and analysing developments in the area of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief across the OSCE region and advising management on priority areas, programmatic responses, and follow-up actions;
7. Contributing to department-wide initiatives by providing expertise, feedback and support on cross-cutting activities, drafting materials and inter-departmental projects.

Necessary qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in social sciences, international relations/political science, or law, with a specialisation in human rights preferred. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A minimum of five years (seven years with a first-level university degree) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of human rights, including experience at the international level in an advisory function;
• Knowledge of UN, Council of Europe, and OSCE human rights and equality standards, as well as human rights monitoring and reporting methodology and practice;
• Experience of designing and implementing projects;
• Established in-depth knowledge of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief and of relevant international human rights standards;
• Experience working in or with the security sector is welcomed;
• Knowledge of the impacts of new technologies on freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief is an asset;
• Experience working with different actors from across religious or belief communities is welcome;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft applications;
• Excellent written and oral English; knowledge of Russian or other OSCE languages is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and 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 national and cultural backgrounds.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 7,100 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 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.

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 63 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.

Additional Information

• Issued by: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
• Requisition ID: ODI000309
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P3
• Job Level: Professional
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: ODI - Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw
• Issue Date: Jun 18, 2026
• Closing Date: Jul 16, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Human Rights