Background:
Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project. Contract duration of the selected candidate is until 30 June 2024; extension of contract is subject to funding availability.
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 Chairmanship, 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 Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is the main OSCE body dealing with the politico-military aspects of security and provides a forum for political dialogue for OSCE participating States. The FSC Support Unit within the Conflict Prevention Centre at the OSCE Secretariat supports the work of the FSC by providing technical support and expertise. In this respect, the Unit acts as a focal point and prepares reports and overviews on military information exchanged by participating States. The Unit also fosters implementation of Confidence and Security-building Measures (CSBMs) and develops assistance projects with regard to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Conventional Ammunition.
The OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the OSCE. Currently female staff in the above-mentioned field of expertise is underrepresented, and are therefore encouraged to apply for this opportunity.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The incumbent is assigned to the OSCE CPC/FSC Support Unit and performs duties of the Project Officer in regards to the Extra Budgetary projects implementation; in particular to the Extra Budgetary project “In Support of Strengthening Capacities of Ukrainian Authorities in Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives in All its Aspects”.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of FSC Support Unit, and in co-ordination with the Project Officer (UB), as well as in close co-operation with the relevant OSCE field operations, you will carry out the following functions:
- Developing and implementing project activities, particularly under the OSCE Documents on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA) as well as on other OSCE politico-military (pol-mil) matters;
- Researching and analysing the content of requests for assistance submitted by participating States under the OSCE Documents on SALW and SCA; compiling background information on specific topics to further build up OSCE expertise and knowledge;
- Briefing the FSC Troika on the collected data with regard to each individual request; providing support in the organization of follow-up consultations, and participating in these deliberations as required, and drafting reports afterwards;
- Organizing, preparing and conducting meetings and assessment visits related to the requests for assistance and, where appropriate, participating in assessment visits as a team member and taking part in discussions on identification of ways and measures to assist participating States in addressing their SALW and SCA concerns;
- Drafting and reviewing project documents, planning and participating in monitoring missions and the verification of disposal of SALW and SCA; drafting project progress reports, factsheets and presentations;
- Organizing seminars and workshops on the implementation of the Document on SALW, the Document on SCA as well as other OSCE agreements on politico-military aspects of security;
- Supporting the OSCE participating States, OSCE executive structures, OSCE pol-mil focal points and SALW/SCA project managers by compiling and sharing information related to the OSCE politico-military dimension and SALW/SCA projects;
- Contributing towards the preparation of briefings, documentation and overviews to interested delegations and OSCE executive structures on issues related to SALW and SCA; preparing responses to queries, following discussions and participating in meetings related to SALW/SCA within the OSCE structures and, where appropriate, in other external events or organizations;
- Collecting, analysing and sharing on a regular basis SALW/SCA project related information; collecting and regularly disseminating data for assessing the progress toward project outputs and feeding progress data back into activities;
- Maintaining contacts with interested stakeholders in OSCE executive structures, OSCE delegations and representatives of capitals to exchange information, discussing issues of common interest or concern, and informing about on-going or future activities;
- Performing other duties as assigned.
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat
Necessary Qualifications:
- First-level university degree in management, politico-military (military academy or civilian equivalent) or a related field;
- At least six years of progressive responsible and relevant professional experience, preferably in an international environment;
- Knowledge of project management techniques;
- Proven ability to compile and analyse reports;
- Experience in SALW and ammunition demilitarization and/or stockpile management and security projects;
- Proven ability to use tact and discretion in interactions with delegates and officials from governments, international organizations and NGOs;
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English;
- 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.
Remuneration Package:
Monthly remuneration is around EUR 7,300, 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: SEC000137
- Contract Type: International Contracted
- Grade: P3
- Job Level: Professional
- Job Type: Contracted
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: SEC – OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
- Issue Date: May 10, 2023
- Closing Date: Jun 7, 2023
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible