Background:

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project which runs until 31 December 2028. The initial contract will be issued for one year, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability.

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.

The post is located within the OSCE Secretariat, Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), Environmental Co-operation Unit.

The project is implemented in co-operation with the OSCE Support Programme to Ukraine (SPU) and the OSCE Mission to Moldova. It is an extra-budgetary (ExB) post within the project no. 1102751 on "Advancing transboundary co-operation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River basin through implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)” that is currently envisaged to last until 31.12.2028. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serving as the implementing agency, the OSCE as the executing agency, and support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Assistant Project Officer will work under the overall direction, guidance and supervision of the Environmental Programme Officer. The incumbent will support the Project Manager in ensuring that the project is adequately co-ordinated, managed and implemented through all steps of the project cycle, in accordance with the OSCE project management standards.

Working under close supervision, the Assistant Project Officer provides technical support to project implementation by assessing, synthesizing and co-ordinating preparation of routine elements of the project requiring application of basic principles of project administration. 

More specifically, the incumbent will be tasked with the following:

1. Assisting in supporting overall Project implementation, with a focus on implementation of project outcomes, outputs and activities as per the Project Document, through participation in the selection and oversight of consultants, implementing partners and vendors, preparation of forecasting of budgets and of budget reports, preparation of audit exercises and spot-checks verification, monitoring and reporting, identifying lessons learned, and support for evaluation exercises;
2. Assisting in preparation of relevant project materials and documentation for approval by the Project Manager and maintenance of communication with relevant stakeholders and experts, technical experts and UNDP Country Offices, as required under GEF-funded project governance arrangements;
3. Assisting in preparing documents and background material pertaining to the issues addressed by the project activities. These may include, but are not limited to spot reports, talking points, concept notes, agendas, summaries, and providing substantive input to project progress, implementation and evaluation reports, including interim and final reports for submission to the donor. This includes contributing to GEF Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) and interim and final narrative and financial reports for submission to the donor, in line with UNDP and GEF reporting standards;
4. Assisting in reflecting and updating project activities, as requested by the project countries and approved by the project, and liaising with counterparts to facilitate their support and participation. Preparing, under instruction, 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;
5. Supporting the monitoring of budget expenditure, giving estimates of costs for individual Project activities and proposing budgetary and/or expenditure adjustments;
6. Arranging and executing logistical arrangements concerning the organization of co-ordination meetings, workshops, training, discussion fora, sessions, briefings, visits, publications and related activities for visitors, missions and counterparts, including provision of guidance on related administrative matters;
7. Supporting any necessary project revisions, in co-ordination with relevant OSCE departments, and in compliance with OSCE's Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS), as well as ensuring compliance with UNDP project revision procedures and GEF requirements;
8. Contributing to the visibility of the results obtained in the project, responding to the specific donor requirements regarding visibility, in line with the Organization's guidelines and the projects' communication strategy, by working closely with the support of the OSCE Communication team based in Vienna in preparing press releases, podcasts, news, etc.;
9. Performing other duties as assigned.
    

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:

• First-level university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Sustainable Development or related field; 
• A minimum of two years (one year with a relevant second-level degree) of professional-level experience in project management;
• Established project management skills and/or experience, in particular with GEF/UNDP project management cycle would be highly desirable;
• Established analytical, research, drafting and presentation skills;
• Experience of working on environmental issues, with a particular focus on transboundary water management, would be an asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other OSCE working languages, would be a strong 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.
   

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 4,700, 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.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment

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.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

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 62 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.