Adviser on Gender Equality (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at OSCE/ODIHR 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, 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 Democratization Department supports participating States in implementing OSCE human dimension commitments related to democratic institutions and political participation. Within it, the Democratic Governance and Gender Unit (DGGU) advances equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance, in line with the ODIHR-specific mandate from the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. The Unit works with parliaments, political parties, national gender equality mechanisms and civil society across the OSCE region through policy advice, capacity-building and targeted assistance.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Chief, DGGU, the Adviser on Gender Equality provides expert advice and leads the design, implementation and evaluation of programmes that promote gender equality and women’s participation in political and public life. The postholder guides ODIHR's assistance to participating States on strengthening inclusive democratic institutions and on implementing and assessing national gender equality strategies and action plans, in line with ODIHR's mandate.

In particular, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Designing and delivering gender equality programmes: identifying priorities, developing methodologies and project proposals, managing implementation (including finances), and evaluating results to advance equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance, in line with ODIHR’s mandate from OSCE Ministerial Council decisions, incl. the 2004 Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality;
2. Providing policy analysis: monitoring and analysing public policy, legislation and state practices affecting women’s rights and gender equality in politics; assessing national legal frameworks and governmental gender equality mechanisms; preparing analytical reports, hands-on guides and recommendations;
3. Leading knowledge and advocacy at OSCE and other international and regional fora: preparing substantive inputs, agendas and background materials; identifying and liaising with speakers; delivering presentations and briefings at mandated human dimension meetings and other events;
4. Co-ordinating across OSCE and with partners: ensuring systematic co-ordination with ODIHR departments, the OSCE Secretariat and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE field operations and external organisations to maximise complementarity and impact;
5. Representing ODIHR and providing expert advice: engaging with participating States and stakeholders at conferences and meetings; responding to requests for information and technical assistance; promoting ODIHR approaches and standards;
6. Managing resources and delivery: overseeing consultant recruitment and supervision; organising workshops, missions and publications; ensuring compliance with OSCE/ODIHR rules; maintaining donor/partner reporting and contributing to strategic planning.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see: http://www.osce.org/odihr

Education and Experience:

• First-level university degree in gender studies, social and political science, law, sociology, public administration or other related fields;
• A minimum of seven years (five years with a second-level university) of increasingly responsible related professional experience in gender equality and women’s participation in political life. Experience on international level is required;
• Proven experience in designing, planning and managing projects that support equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance;
• Strong knowledge of international instruments and institutions promoting gender equality, and excellent understanding of how they function and are implemented;
• Computer literacy (Microsoft applications);
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Excellent written and oral English; knowledge of Russian is an asset.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form to the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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 open for secondment, 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 the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is 10 years.

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 apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

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: ODI000299
• Contract Type: International Secondment
• Grade: S
• Job Type: Seconded
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: ODI - Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw
• Issue Date: May 11, 2026
• Closing Date: Jul 23, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Human Rights
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible