Deputy Director for Policy Support Service (P5)

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 Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

The Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization's primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the SG and the Chairpersonship on related policy and operational issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairpersonship includes background information, policy support and advice, input to speeches and travel files as well as drafting summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and institutions and assists field operations with their input to the budget cycle process. PSS also provides support for the Chairperson-in-Office's representatives dealing with protracted conflicts and related formats.

The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

The Organization, in line with the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As the CPC Deputy Director and Head of the Policy Support Service Section (PSS), the main purpose of the job is to lead and co-ordinate the activities of the PSS, mainly the four regional desks, in contributing to the delivery of the unit's objectives. This entails playing a multifaceted role within the team, including providing guidance, advice, and direction to Heads of Desk, participating as a key team member in policy analysis and strategic planning processes. Moreover, the job involves fostering strong relationships with clients, both within the OSCE Secretariat (OSG) and Chair, as well as with the Heads of Field Operations, to ensure that the services provided by the Policy Support Service meet their needs effectively.

As Deputy Director for Policy Support Service, you will report directly to the Director of the CPC/Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat and secondly to the Secretary General (SG) and will directly supervise around nine staff. 

More specifically, you will be tasked with the following:

1. Co-ordinating, integrating, guiding and managing the work of the Policy Support Service (PSS), including managing all administrative, staffing and financial matters;
2. Providing policy advice and support to executive management and the Chairpersonship, including co-ordinating analysis of developments in the OSCE area, ensuring focus on early warning signals of potential crisis situations, and providing recommendations on appropriate action;
3. Ensuring the regular flow of information between OSCE field operations, other OSCE executive structures and the Chairpersonship by acting as the primary point of contact on all substantive matters concerning field operations; coordinating the preparation of and (co)chairing annual and regional meetings of Heads of OSCE field operations;
4. Performing substantive activities in support of OSCE field operations and participating States with relevant units in the OSCE Secretariat and its institutions, including ensuring that the work of the field operations is performed in accordance with respective mandates and policy guidance, taking an active part in the performance-based programme budgeting process, advising Heads of field operations on management-related issues, and providing advice on senior staffing issues in the OSCE field operations in co-operation with the Department of Human Resources;
5. Promoting the work of the OSCE activities in the field;
6. Deputizing for the Director of CPC in his/her absence as officer-in-charge of the CPC;
7. Performing other related duties as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in political science, public or international law, international relations or another related field; 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;
• 10-12 years  of progressively responsible experience in government or national administration or in an international organization, including several years in a managerial/senior/policy-making position combined with strong expertise in multilateral diplomacy;
• Established excellent managerial and negotiation skills; 
• Excellent knowledge of the politico-military situation and background in the OSCE regions (Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia);
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment as well as diplomatic skills and expertise required to deputize D/CPC and represent CPC at international events and toward the participating States;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of another OSCE language preferred;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and email.

 

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 10,500, 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 5 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.