Senior ICT Systems Administrator (G6)

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 OSCE Secretariat's Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Information Security and Co-ordination Unit.

The ICTS Infrastructure Operations (OPS) unit is responsible for the delivery of the OSCE's core ICT infrastructure, a hybrid computing platform that serves all OSCE Institutions and Field Operations, including network, platform, communication and database services. The OPS Networking Team (OPS.NET) manages the OSCE-wide computer networks. The ICT Security Operations Center (SOC) is a virtual team composed of ICT personnel from several executive structures. The SOC provides OSCE-wide ICT security operations services. The SOC includes two OPS staff members, and it is managed by the OPS Unit Head (Chief, Infrastructure Operations).

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 this field of expertise is underrepresented, and are therefore encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Senior ICT Systems Administrator, you will work under the direct supervision of the Chief, Infrastructure Operations (C/OPS), within and in co-ordination with the OPS Network (OPS.NET) and the Security Operations Center (SOC) teams, and under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director, Head of Information and Communication Technology Services (DD/ICTS).

You will be responsible for assuring the availability of network and security services and for their effective management. You will be required to make decisions on the best possible technical approaches for engineering solutions, resolving problems and to ensure that systems run smoothly and securely. You will work within two teams: the OPS Network team (OPS.NET) and the Security Operations Center (SOC). In addition, you will provide technical guidance on specific technical matters to other ICT staff and teams within ICTS and in OSCE Executive Structures.

More specifically, you will perform the following:

1. Administering, maintaining, operating, troubleshooting and monitoring system performance and resources of network and cyber security infrastructure, tools and systems such as firewalls, Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems, routers, switches, network management systems, OSCE public internet presence, DNS, DHCP, NPS, MPKI, SIEM, vulnerability management solutions and other related network and security hardware, software and service platforms;
2. Providing 2nd and 3rd level support to the Service Desk and assisting in resolving network problems. Conducting root cause analysis of reported problems, resolving and/or implementing permanent fixes, and escalating issues to Management or dispatching and collaborating on issues resolution with other teams;
3. Supporting security incident detection, analysis, investigation and response activities;
4. Contributing to the assessment and design of technical architectures for network and security solutions and services. Maintaining respective documentation artifacts in the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and ICT Document Library;
5. Assisting in maintaining and developing network and security related documentation, such as SOPs and policies, preparing and arranging for dissemination of information messages regarding interruptions, availability schedules, changes, as well as specific recommendations for problem solution and work improvements;
6. Assisting in the identification, evaluation, selection and procurement of all network and security back-end services, systems, hardware and software. Maintaining contacts with product providers and service companies as needed for product updates or troubleshooting;
7. 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:

Completed secondary education; a first-level university degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, IT Security, Computer Engineering or related fields is an asset;

• A minimum of six years of working experience in the operation of complex computer networks and security systems; preferably in an international or public sector environment;
• Professional experience with Cisco networking equipment (switches, routers) is required;
• Experience with and knowledge of Linux server environments (including Red Hat Enterprise Linux) and standard server services (e.g., postfix, SpamAssassin, BIND etc.) is required;
• Experience in administering Check Point, DMZ (mail, proxy), Cisco Systems, Linux systems and other related WAN/LAN software and hardware;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of German, both oral and written is desirable;
• Demonstrated innovative mindset for the design, implementation and optimization of ICT solutions;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team and flexibility with regard to working hours and willingness to work outside of regular business hours and on weekends;
• 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;
• Certifications in networking (e.g., Cisco Certified Network Professional, CCNP Routing and Switching and/or Collaboration certifications) are desirable;
• Certifications in cybersecurity and information security (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CySA+, GIAC) are desirable;
• Certification in ITIL (Foundation level or higher) is desirable;
• Certification in project management (PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent) is desirable;
• Certifications in Microsoft security topics (e.g., Microsoft Fundamental and Role-Based Security certifications) are desirable;
• Linux Professional Institute Certificate (LPIC-1 or higher) or equivalent is desirable;
• Other cloud- and platform-related certifications are desirable;
• Professional experience with Cisco VoIP infrastructure and services is desirable;
• Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft server environments (including Windows Server, Active Directory, Internet Information Services) and standard Microsoft server services (e.g., DNS, DHCP etc.) is desirable.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 5,400 (12 times a year) depending on 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.

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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

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.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC000429
• Contract Type: Local Contracted
• Grade: G6
• Job Level: General Services
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Apr 17, 2024
• Closing Date: May 15, 2024
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: High School Diploma / (GED)
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible