Long-Term Observer Assistant

Recruitment of support staff for the Limited Election Observation Mission to Poland 

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the leading agency in Europe in the field of election observation. The Office co-ordinates and organizes the deployment of numerous observation missions, with thousands of observers, every year to assess the compliance of elections in OSCE participating States with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation. ODIHR’s unique methodology provides in-depth insights into all elements of an electoral process, allowing the Office to offer concrete recommendations to further improve electoral processes. Further details about ODIHR can be found at www.osce.org/odihr.

Following an official invitation to observe the 18 May 2025 presidential election with a potential second round to be held on 1 June, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR is preparing to deploy a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) for this election. In this respect, ODIHR is looking to recruit support staff for the below mentioned positions on a full-time basis: 

Assistants to Regional Team Members (job description is at the end of this vacancy notice). 

• LEOM/POL Long-Term Observer Assistant – 9 positions (regions are listed below)

Start date of employment for regional team positions: 19 April 2025 (approx.)

Approximate duration of employment: 

•  5-6 weeks (approx.) in case of one round
•  7-8 weeks (approx.) in case of second round

Location for regional teams: Warsaw, Białystok, Gdańsk, Kraków, Lublin, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Wrocław

Remuneration is commensurate with the qualifications of the incumbent and requirements of the post, and is similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System for general services employees (in accordance with established OSCE rates). Social security will include participation in the OSCE life and accident disability insurance scheme.

Application procedure: Those interested in applying should forward their most recent curriculum vitae in English to hr-poland@odihr.pl indicating the position for which you are applying (e.g. LEOM/POL Senior Election Analyst Assistant).

Each candidate may apply for up to three positions in separate e-mails. Please do not attach photographs, motivation letters and certificates. Additional relevant information should be submitted only upon request. 

Applications received after the deadline or with no indication of the position for which the candidate applies, will not be taken into consideration.
 
Application deadline: for regional team positions – 12 April 2025, 17:00 CET.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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 shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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.

Note: No application fees are required by ODIHR for its recruitment process at any stage (application processing, interview meeting, training or any other fees).

Terms of Reference

LONG-TERM OBSERVERS ASSISTANT/INTERPRETER

Under the supervision of the Long-term Observers (LTOs), the assistant/ Interpreter assists a team consisting of two LTOs in their area of observation (AoO). S/he reports directly to the LTO team. 

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provides simultaneous interpretation from/to English to/from local language(s); 
• Provides written translation from/to English to/from local language(s) of various documents on a wide range of technical topics;
• Arranges various meetings with officials from local and regional election authorities, governors, mayors, local representatives of political parties, candidates, the media, and civil society;
• Summarizes, in English, election-related news published in the local language;
• Organizes travels in the AoO for the LTOs and accompanies the LTOs on these travels;
• Keeps lists of names, addresses and phone number of the LTOs’ interlocutors; and
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Completed secondary education. A degree in translation/interpretation, political sciences, social sciences, law, international relations or related field is an asset;
• Five years of relevant working experience. Experience of work at international organizations is an asset;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and local language. 
  Translation/interpretation experience is an asset;
• Good computer skills; 
• Good knowledge of the AoO;
• Good organizational skills;
• Ability to work long hours and under pressure; 
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team;
• Ability and willingness to deploy to the field, sometimes on short notice; and
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Deliverables:

• Daily schedule of LTO team;
• Written translations, interpretations; 
• News summaries;
• Travel arrangements;
• Draft correspondence; and
• Contact lists.