Senior Economic and Environmental Officer (P4)
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 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.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The main purpose of the job is to assist the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in carrying out his/her mandate including in relation to the preparation and organisation of the annual Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF). You will be responsible for overall management of the Planning and Coordination Unit, under the supervision of the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities, in terms of staff guidance and management.
You will report directly to the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities and the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities will act as your second-level supervisor.
More specifically, you will perform the following:
- Managing preparatory process and organisation of the EEF events including Preparatory Conferences and ministerial level Meetings of the Forum, organised by the OCEEA in close co-operation with the OSCE Chairpersonship and devoted to varied themes related to economic and/or environmental aspects of security • Co-ordinating and supporting activities in relation to the EEF process, including drafting concepts of the Forum’s theme & structure, relevant PC decisions, proposals for conferences, draft agendas, including by incorporating a gender perspective; identifying and contacting potential partner organisations and speakers, discussing the content of their contributions, preparing food-for-thought papers and reports; drafting speeches or sections of speeches to be delivered by the Co-ordinator, the Secretary-General and Chairpersonship as required; • Establishing and maintaining contacts, at a senior level, with officials of international organizations and other relevant stakeholders and providing information related to the Forum process; • Organising meetings on the margins of the Forum events for the Chairpersonship, the Secretary General and the OCEEA with partner organizations and delegates, as required; • Controlling the financial and logistical aspects and supervising and contributing to compilation of Consolidated Summaries of EEF events;
- Elaborating, co-ordinating and implementing follow–up activities based on a substantial analysis and assessment of the recommendations of Preparatory Conferences/Meetings of the Forum • Managing making records of and assessing the recommendations of the Forum events, elaborating a follow-up plan and supporting the related discussions in the Economic and Environmental Committee; • Acting as project manager and organiser particularly in connection with the organisation of follow-up seminars, workshops and trainings aimed at various audiences, and with the development and implementation of projects in the fields related to the themes of annual Economic and Environmental Fora; • Creating synergies, by maintaining and strengthening further contacts with partner organizations, initiating and conducting joint follow-up activities such as projects, conferences, seminars, workshops, joint publications, etc.; • Providing guidance and support to local or regional activities, considering and initiating together with OSCE field presences joint follow-up activities; • Providing input to fund-raising efforts through delegations, international organizations or other donors;
- Providing substantial policy advice to the OSCE Chairpersonship and the OSCE management • Providing advice with regard to the organization and conduct (for both substantial and logistic aspects) of the annual EEF process; • Providing advice with regard to the development of a work plan for the EEC meetings throughout the year and supporting preparation of EEC meetings, assisting Chairpersonship, EEC Chair and OCEEA senior management in drafting EEC agendas and summaries, identifying and inviting external speakers for EEC meetings, etc; • Co-ordinating drafting analytical and concept papers, plans of action, decisions of OSCE governing bodies on issues related to the themes of the EEF process; • Contributing to OCEEA input to meetings of the Permanent Council and of the Economic and Environmental Committee (EEC), as well as other OSCE meetings; • Drafting speeches or sections of speeches for the Co-ordinator, Secretary General and Chairpersonship, as required, for PC meetings as well as for their participation in other conferences or events.
- Co-ordinating the organization of annual meetings with the Economic and Environmental Officers and other meetings in the OSCE’s economic and environmental dimension, including meetings to review the implementation of commitments and discuss work plans as well as drafting, compiling, editing and publication of the OCEEA Annual Report.
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:
- Second-level university degree in Economics, International Relations or Political Science. Focus on economic studies, development and/or transition economics, as well as on environmental security issues would be an asset. 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 seven years of relevant professional experience, preferably at the international level;
- In-depth understanding of and experience in security-related economic and environmental issues;
- Familiarity with a broad spectrum of global and regional economic and environmental issues allowing to adjust to varied themes and topics of the annual EEF process;
- Experience in carrying out analysis and conceptualization;
- Experience in team leadership, including organizing and delegating work;
- Demonstrated drafting and speechwriting skills;
- Experience in project development and management would be an important asset;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
- Demonstrated gender and diversity awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender and diversity perspective in the workplace;
- 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 9,400, 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.
Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.
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: SEC000614
- 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 29, 2024
- Closing Date: Sep 26, 2024
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
- Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible