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 OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.
The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE’s activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE’s role in the politico-military dimension.
The Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization’s primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the SG and the Chairpersonship on related policy and operational issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairpersonship includes background information, policy support and advice, input to speeches and travel files as well as drafting summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and institutions and assists field operations with their input to the budget cycle process. PSS also provides support for the Chairperson-in-Office’s representatives dealing with protracted conflicts and related formats.
The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
As Senior Policy Support Officer, you will report to the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service and the Director of CPC will act as the second-level supervisor. You will supervise one General Service staff member, oversee their workload, manage their performance and guide their development.
You will be responsible for co-ordinating all tasks and responsibilities of a horizontal nature, liaising with the OSCE CPC Desks for field operations and other executive structures to ensure a co-ordinated approach to CPC’s horizontal work, including on early warning related work and early responses, and on monitoring emerging situations that may lead to unrest or violence within the OSCE area.
More specifically, you will be tasked with the following:
- Acting as the PSS’s Early Warning focal point; co-ordinating PSS early warning analysis and development of response options for submission to the OSCE Secretary General and Chair, ensuring that input from relevant executive structures is received and included in the overall decision making process; monitoring and analyzing early warning developments in the OSCE area through regular monitoring and research of identified areas at risk of emerging tensions;
- Acting as the CPC’s Women, Peace and Security Focal Point, and Gender Action Plan Focal Point, including within the CPC for inclusion in the Annual Evaluation Report of the Secretary General on the 2004 OSCE Gender Action Plan;
- Acting as the CPC’s main co-ordinator for all horizontal co-operation between and among field operations; supporting the development and effective implementation of existing and future regional processes and initiatives in close co-operation with the regional desks in PSS, OSCE field operations, other OSCE Executive Structures and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; organizing the Annual Meeting of Heads of OSCE Field Operation, under the guidance of the Deputy Director for PSS;
- Drafting, co-ordinating and clearing talking points, speeches, briefings, background materials and analytical reports for the Chair, OSCE Secretary General, CPC Director and Deputy Director of PSS;
- Supporting the development and implementation of current and future regional processes and initiatives, including where applicable extra-budgetary project or programme management;
- Substituting, as necessary, for the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service and participating, as appropriate, in internal Secretariat working groups and networks;
- Overseeing PSS inputs into the Unified Budget (UB) process and monitoring PSS budget expenditure; supporting the administration of extra-budgetary programmes and projects falling within PSS’s responsibility;
- Reviewing and clearing inputs for the OSCE Handbook, Newsletter, Factsheets, OSCE Website and other publications and sources of information available from the Secretariat as directed;
- Participating in and/or representing the Director of CPC or Deputy Director/PSS on official travel/visits within the OSCE area by the CiO, Secretary General and delegations of participating States;
- Conducting research on new and emerging threats and presenting findings and conclusions to OSCE decision-makers;
- Acting as the CPC’s focal point for thematic issues; assuming a lead role in co-ordinating CPC’s liaison with other Secretariat Units, including for example, through organizing briefings, for various thematic issues which require close attention and co-operation within the CPC and with the field operations to ensure a co-ordinated approach;
- For issues which require a focal point within CPC on other thematic issues, such as cybersecurity, migration or anti-trafficking, will be nominated as the CPC staff member responsible for co-ordination;
- Performing other duties such as temporarily assisting specific Desks during surge capacity requirements.
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat
Necessary Qualifications:
- Second-level university degree in political science, public or international law, international relations or another related field; 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;
- A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in government, national administration or in a relevant non-governmental organization;
- Knowledge of the politics of the four geographical regions covered by PSS;
- Knowledge of political analysis;
- Experience in resource mobilization and project management would be an asset;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of another OSCE language would be 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;
- Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.
Remuneration Package:
Monthly remuneration is around EUR 8,700, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.
Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.
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.
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 the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
Additional Information
- Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
- Requisition ID: SEC000276
- Contract Type: International Contracted
- Grade: P4
- Job Level: Senior Professional
- Job Type: Contracted
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: SEC – OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
- Issue Date: Aug 14, 2023
- Closing Date: Sep 21, 2023
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Master’s Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
- Job Field: Political Affairs
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible
