Project Assistant (G5)

Background:

Please note that this is an extra-budgetary position with the initial funding for 6 months.

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 Transnational Threats Department/Border Security and Management Unit (TNTD/BSMU) at the OSCE Secretariat responds to requests from participating States for specific expert advice and assistance on a wide range of border security and management issues and activities. The Transnational Threats Department was created in the OSCE Secretariat with a view to ensuring better co-ordination, strengthened coherence of action and more efficient use of OSCE’s resources in addressing transnational threats.  It supports the Secretary General in functioning as the focal point of the Organization-wide programmatic activities that relate to countering transnational threats and in ensuring co-ordination and coherence of action across all three dimensions and among all OSCE executive structures, while respecting their mandates.  

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Drafting routine and non-routine correspondence (both on administrative and substantive project matters), working documents and background material pertaining to issues addressed through project activities, including concept notes and sections of project reports and briefing papers; putting documents into adequate style, language and format, and proofreading documents and editing texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices; 
2. Assisting in the development and implementation of project activities by liaising with counterparts and facilitating their participation, drafting terms of reference for the employment of consultants and implementing partners, and monitoring the implementation of activities and submission of reports by the implementing partners and consultants;
3. Performing all administrative tasks such as schedules and arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, research for information and reference material. Preparing requests/documents, e.g. requisitions, travel requests/authorizations, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc; 
4. Using ERP, initiating and following up on actions related to requisitions, recruitment of consultants, training and study tours, purchase of services and goods, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and dealing with all related inquiries;
5. Keeping track of pending matters and following up with other offices on deadlines, as well as on budget and expenditure for specific project outcomes, outputs and/or activities, giving estimates of costs for individual project activities and proposing budgetary and/or expenditure adjustments to supervisor;
6. Undertaking computer-based searches; collating, selecting and interpreting information necessary for the development of project activities and events; assisting in the preparation of papers and presentations by extracting/summarizing statistics;
7. Performing related duties as assigned.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in international relations and/or political sciences, security studies, or other relevant disciplines;
• A minimum of four years of working experience in project implementation, including previous experience with OSCE or other international organizations. Previous experience in projects related to border security and management is a distinct asset; 
• Experience in project planning, implementation and reporting;
• Ability to conduct research and collect information from a variety of sources;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of any other official OSCE language would be 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. Experience with an ERP software is an asset.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is approximately EUR 4,405. 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.

 

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.