Head of Rule of Law (S3)

About the Position

We are seeking a Head of Rule of Law (S3) with extensive experience in law and criminal justice to join our OSCE Mission in Sarajevo.

Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Head of Human Dimension Department (HDD) and direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Human Dimension Department (hereinafter HDD Management), the incumbent will serve as the principal staff member responsible for the day-to-day management of the Human Dimension Department’s Rule of Law Section. They are also responsible for providing support and advice to the HDD Management on matters related to programme design, implementation, planning, and evaluation to ensure that strategies for pursuing targeted and meaningful reform, align with the standards of the justice sector independence, impartiality, and accountability are identified and acted upon in a timely manner.

Requirements

General Minimum Requirements

• Excellent physical condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure

Field of Expertise Requirements

• Experience in the practice of law, e.g. judges, prosecutors, lawyers, etc.
• Knowledge of courtroom proceedings and criminal law and procedure
• Knowledge of international legal procedure standards and instruments
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

• Education: Second-level university degree in law or international human rights; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree
• Experience: Minimum 6 years (8 years with a relevant first-level university degree) of relevant, diversified, and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the actual position

Mission Specific Requirements

• International mission members in the OSCE are internationally recruited. For the purposes of OSCE Missions (Field Operations) this means that they are hired to work in a duty station outside of their home country or country of permanent residence. As a result, nationals and permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible for international mission member positions. In the case of individuals with multiple nationalities, candidates are still ineligible for consideration even if using another citizenship for application while simultaneously maintaining the citizenship or permanent residence status of the country where the duty station is located;
• Experience managing or implementing criminal justice, human rights, or justice-based programmes in post-conflict, transitional, or developing countries;
• Experience in justice sector programme development and political analysis, including the production of reports, verbal and written briefings;
• Understanding of the work of the Mission in the field of rule of law and human dimension;
• Leadership qualities including ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Experience of working in a programmatic/strategic planning role using a results-based management approach;
• Experience in programme and project management, including in planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting;
• Excellent organizational skills, with ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks, and process large amounts of information;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the justice sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including its institutions and bodies at all levels of government, key legislation, and the overall political situation;
• Working knowledge of the BiH official languages would be an asset.

We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Opportunity to work with a prestigious international organization
• Professional development opportunities

About the Company

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

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.

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: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Requisition ID: BAH000236
• Contract Type: International Secondment
• Grade: S3
• Job Level: Middle Management
• Job Type: Seconded
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: BAH - OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
• Issue Date: Jul 15, 2026
• Closing Date: Aug 12, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Rule of Law
• Target Start Date: In Nov 2026