Associate Strategic Officer (P1)

Background:

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project and the contract duration of the selected candidate is until 31 July 2025. The extension is subject to the availability of funds.

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 Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The post is located in the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) Executive Management. Executive Management ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Adviser, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Supporting implementation of project activities, including the organization of a number of external and internal discussion events and expert networks activities;
2. Conducting research and drafting reports on selected topics, including food-for-thought papers, briefs and policy analyses related to OSCE mandates, geopolitical developments, global and regional trends impacting the OSCE area with a 2025 perspective and beyond;
3. Monitoring project progress in close co-ordination with the Project Manager, drafting project progress reports, other narrative and financial reports on the implementation of the ExB project for submission to donors;
4. Establishing and maintaining relations with stakeholders; ensuring co-ordination of planning and administering of the project with Implementing Partners;
5. Supporting project’s public outreach activities, contributing to information sharing and exchange of good practices within the OSCE, among participating States, with other international and regional organizations, think tanks, academic institutions, and broader public;
6. Maintaining contacts with the OSCE expert network, academic institutions, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and other external interlocutors;
7. Performing other relevant 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 international relations, political science, administration, regional studies or another related subject;
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations work at the national and/or international level performing research, analytical and/or speech-writing functions;
• Experience with and knowledge of the OSCE’s management and administrative framework and processes is an asset;
• Demonstrated analytical skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, public presentation skills;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of another official OSCE language is 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;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 4,800, 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 XXX 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: SEC000490
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P1
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Jun 6, 2024
• Closing Date: Jun 20, 2024
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Project Management
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible