National Press and Public Information Officer (NP1)

Background:

The work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) focuses on a range of security issues, from countering terrorism, border security and transnational threats such as human trafficking, to developing the country’s regions, strengthening efforts to combat corruption on all levels, as well as supporting the reform of the justice sector, implementation of election reform, gender equality and building open and resilient societies.

The post is located in the Press and Public Information Unit of the Office of the Head of Mission (OHoM). The Unit is responsible for ensuring effective public communication of the Mission’s mandate, activities, and impact, in line with organizational communication policies and strategies. The Press and Public Information Unit is responsible for enhancing the visibility of the Mission and fostering public understanding of its work and impact. The unit develops and recommends communication measures to the Programme Office management to ensure coherent messaging, effective outreach, and positive media relations.

Main Purpose:

Provide substantive support on operational aspects of press and public information for the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB), including monitoring and analysing the regional media landscape and preparing updates and briefings on developments relevant to the implementation of the POiB’s mandate. Support the Head of Programme Office (HoPO) and Deputy Head of Programme Office (DHoPO) in matters related to public relations, media engagement, communications, and social media activities, including preparing background materials and media updates and assisting during interactions with local and international media.

Working under close supervision and guidance of the DHoPO, the National Press and Public Information Officer supports the delivery of effective communication activities across the POiB’s in-person and digital communications channels aimed at enhancing the visibility of the Mission. The incumbent supports the promotion of accurate, timely, and consistent public messaging. The incumbent implements the agreed communications strategy and may represent POiB to the public when authorized by the HoPO. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound professional judgment when addressing communication-related issues and to support the Programme Office in responding to unusual or sensitive communication situations, particularly those involving national or local media, in co-ordination with and under the guidance of the HoPO and DHoPO.

Work Relationships:

National Press and Public Information Officer reports directly to the Deputy Head of Programme Office, while the Head of Programme Office acts as second-level supervisor. The National Press and Public Information Officer directly supervises one Public Information Assistant (G5).
 

National Press and Public Information Officer maintains internal contacts across the Programme Office’s departments to facilitate visibility efforts around programmatic activities, offer strategic guidance, and ensure communications across in-person and digital channels. The incumbent works in close co-ordination with the OSCE Secretariat Communications and Media Relations Section, and maintains regular contact with national and international media to brief them on the work of the OSCE and the Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB), arrange interviews, and co-ordinate media coverage of events. Contacts also include universities, research institutes, libraries, civil society representatives, and the general public to provide information, organize meetings, and distribute OSCE materials across channels. As required, the incumbent liaises with state institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parliament, and other government bodies to co-ordinate statements and ensure accurate dissemination of OSCE information. The role also involves co-ordination and information exchange with international organizations, embassies, NGOs, and other partners to support joint communication efforts.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Programme Office, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Monitoring and reporting on daily media developments relevant to POiB’s mandate and target areas, including, when relevant, providing briefings and presentations; translating news articles, letters, and other written materials when required; providing periodic press and electronic media reviews and other relevant media analyses related to the POiB's mandate.
2. Assist in managing and maintaining content across POiB communication channels, including social media platforms and the website; contribute to the development of communication materials, including drafting articles and social media posts and preparing visual content; support the production of impact-focused long- and short-form content such as feature stories and social media posts; update and maintain website content, including uploading photos, event pages, publications, and news items; co-ordinate logistical arrangements for professional photographers for events when required; assist in monitoring analytics and preparing reports to support the improvement of communication outputs; and keep abreast of developments in communications, media, and social media to support POiB visibility efforts.
3. Assist in organizing press events, such as briefings, meetings, and roundtables; co-ordinate logistical arrangements for media engagements and interviews involving the HoPO, DHoPO, and other POiB staff; draft and disseminate press releases, statements, briefing papers, and background materials on POiB activities; and contribute to the preparation of POiB activity reports.
4. Support the development and maintenance of contacts with the media to promote the work of the OSCE and the POiB, including maintaining and regularly updating a database of key media contacts; liaise with local, national, and international journalists to facilitate accurate and balanced media coverage of POiB activities, while maintaining awareness of ongoing programme activities.
5. Assist in the preparation of targeted communication materials to support the visibility of the OSCE and POiB across the Kyrgyz Republic, particularly for the HoPO and DHoPO; contribute to the development of outreach and awareness-raising materials, including publishing and distributing OSCE and POiB fact sheets, translating and publishing key OSCE documents, and co-ordinating the production and distribution of promotional items such as calendars, pens, mugs, and other outreach materials.
6. Support outreach and information-sharing activities with universities and other relevant stakeholders across the Kyrgyz Republic; assist in organizing meetings and events with the participation of the HoPO and DHoPO to promote OSCE principles, values, and commitments; co-ordinate visits of student and civil society groups to POiB; prepare OSCE and POiB PowerPoint presentations; and support the distribution of OSCE informational materials and promotional items during events.
7. Support the identification of communication opportunities and co-ordinate with relevant internal and external stakeholders, including the Secretariat’s Communication and Media Relations Section and the Web Team in Vienna, to facilitate the preparation and dissemination of content that enhances the visibility of POiB activities; assist in coordinating communication responses in relation to emerging communication needs, including during sensitive communication situations.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-bishkek .

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in journalism, media studies, international relations or related field;
• A minimum of two (2) years of working experience in media and/or communication fields, part of which should preferably have been in an international environment;
• A minimum of one (1) year of supervisory experience;
• Excellent knowledge of communications, social media, digital communications, and media relations;
• Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft Office applications;
• Practical experience using multimedia tools such as Canva and in multimedia creation, such as graphic design, video production and editing, photography and photo editing, is desired;
• 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 genders, and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Russian/Kyrgyz, with a demonstrated willingness and ability to learn the other language(s).

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 1569.42 Euro/month. Social benefits will include OSCE 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.

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.

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 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.