Requirements - STOs
Short-term observers are usually in-country for 7 or 8 days. The work is not paid, although expenses are covered. STOs must be:
- willing to work in often arduous/basic conditions for long hours, often travelling long distances to deployment areas
- happy to fit in with pre-arranged group travel and accommodation plans
- good team players who can follow instructions and operate effectively both in a large group with bureaucratic restrictions and independently or in small teams with a non-native English speaking partner and local interpreter/driver
- able to adapt quickly to different situations and cultures
- capable of making joint or independent on-the-spot judgements and decisions
- UK passport holders (minimum 6 months' validity required). Applications from non-UK citizens cannot be considered.
Preference will be given to candidates who fit the above profile and can offer the following:
- Prior election monitoring or election-related experience.
- International experience in a relevant field and/or of the country in question.
- Language skills relevant to the mission in question.
Requirements - LTOs
Long Term Observers are usually in country for 6 to 8 weeks around the date of the election. Expenses are covered, and LTOs also receive an honorarium for the work they do.
In addition to meeting the criteria for STOs, potential LTOs should have completed several STO missions, or have other directly relevant experience of election monitoring or administration. Excellent interpersonal skills are a necessity, and language skills relevant to the country in question are a distinct advantage. There are generally between two and four LTO places on any given mission.
Please note:
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Election monitoring involves data collection for statistical analysis by OSCE. Short-term and long-term observers are therefore required to obtain, record and transmit data according to OSCE methodologies, instructions and deadlines.
No independent investigatory work is required or permitted during OSCE missions.
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Short-term and long-term observers must not have any political, commercial, professional, personal or other interests that would conflict in any way with those of the OSCE mission or interfere in any way with their work for the OSCE while in-country.