Assistant Project Officer (P1)

Background:

Please note that this position is extra-budgetary (ExB) funded under the OSCE Energy Security's ExB Projects "Women's Economic Empowerment in the Energy Sector in Central Asia for Energy Security and Sustainability" and "Mitigating Climate Change Threats to Critical Energy Infrastructure". The contract duration of the selected candidate is until 31 December 2024; with potential extension 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 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. The Office currently comprises 22 staff members.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Assistant Project Officer, you will work within the OCEEA's Energy Security Team, under the overall direction, guidance and supervision of the Senior Energy Security Adviser (Project Manager), while the Deputy Co-ordinator, Head Environmental Activities will act as your second-level supervisor.

You will assist in the implementation of the Office’s Energy ExB projects, supporting the Project Manager in ensuring that the projects are adequately co-ordinated, managed and implemented through all steps of the project cycle, in accordance with the OSCE project management standards.

More specifically, your tasks will be the following:

1. Monitoring, analysing, and reporting on relevant political, economic and energy developments related to OCEEA project activities in the areas of critical energy infrastructure protection, sustainable energy, and just and inclusive energy transitions;
2. Preparing working documents and background material pertaining to issues addressed through project outcomes and outputs, including talking points, briefing notes, concept notes, agendas, summaries, and providing substantive input to project progress, implementation and evaluation reports;
3. Supporting the organization of events and project activities, including compilation of event materials, correspondence with facilitators, speakers and participants, co-operating in arranging travel for speakers, trainers, facilitators and project staff;
4. Supporting project implementation through all steps of the project cycle, by assisting in needs analysis and formulation of project outcomes, outputs and activities, including forecasting of budgets, implementing project activities, supporting the selection and oversight of consultants, implementing partners and vendors, and project monitoring and reporting;
5. Assisting with public relations and communications including by preparing press releases, presentations, statements, newsletters, media items, and social media campaigns, as well as by liaising with the relevant OSCE departments, and by disseminating information about the project to interested parties;
6. Supporting fundraising activities, including by preparing correspondence and liaising with OSCE delegations, donors, and OSCE departments involved in fundraising, as well as by preparing fundraising strategies, project briefs, and other visual materials regarding the project and funding needs;
7. Establishing and maintaining relations with stakeholders; ensuring co-ordination of planning and conduct of the project with key partners inside and outside the Organization, project beneficiaries and donors;
8. Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat and the OCEEA, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat and https://www.osce.org/oceea

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in international relations and/or political science, environmental sciences, geography, energy, or other relevant disciplines;
• A minimum of two years of professional-level experience assisting in project management in international/regional organizations in the area of energy or a related field;
• Proven knowledge of energy security issues of relevance to the OSCE participating States;
• Practical experience of work in OSCE countries, in particular Central Asia, would be an important asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; working knowledge of Russian would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds 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 4,500, 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.

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two 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: SEC000363
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P1
• Job Level: Professional
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Dec 1, 2023
• Closing Date: Dec 29, 2023
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: General Staff/Monitoring
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible