National Project Officer (NP2)

Background:

1. 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.

2. The post is located in the Politico-Military Department (PMD) within the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. It is an extra-budgetary (ExB) post within the project “Improvement of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and conventional ammunition (CA) Life-Management Capacity of the Ministry of Defence of the Kyrgyz Republic” that is currently envisaged to last four years (January 2023 – December 2027). In addition to this post, the project also comprises the following ExB posts: Project Associate, National Civil Engineer, National Procurement Officer and Finance Associate.

Main Purpose:

1. To implement and administer elements of the project by performing a variety of operational and technical activities fundamental to the administration and evaluation of the project, by facilitating project deliverables and by overseeing the work of external experts and exchanging information with partners.

2. Working with limited supervision and substantial independence, the National Project Officer provides technical advice on project implementation modalities and the planning and conduct of potential programmatic activities in the relevant field of expertise, where required in close co-ordination with other OSCE executive structures and external partners. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the PMD, the incumbent manages, co-ordinates and monitors implementation of activities under the ExB project “Improvement of SALW and CA Life-Management Capacity of Ministry of Defence of the Kyrgyz Republic”. The project covers a wide array of activities, such as reviewing existing legislation and elaborating recommendations for improvement, developing a training system for life-cycle management of SALW and stockpiles of CA, conducting a feasibility study on the necessity to develop CA propellant chemical testing capability, and constructing three CA storage
facilities in the southern provinces of the Kyrgyz Republic. The work will involve co-ordination with related project activities in other OSCE field operations and other organizations.

Work Relationships:

1. The National Project Officer reports directly to the Head of the PMD (S3), while the Deputy Head of Programme Office acts as the second-level supervisor. National Project Officer directly supervises National Civil Engineer (NP1) and Project Associate (G6).

2. Internal contacts are mainly with the project implementation team, other relevant departments and units of the POiB, and the relevant OSCE Secretariat departments to obtain and clarify information related to project implementation and to provide functional support to the project implementation. External contacts are mainly with representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic, and other OSCE field operations, to exchange and discuss information on project background and implementation and to explain aspects of project formulation and implementation.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the limited supervision of the Head of the Politico-Military Department (S3), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:  

1. Selecting, interpreting, organizing and summarizing background information to describe the overall context and background relevant to the project and the life-cycle management of SALW and CA, assessing the local, regional or international context for the planning and administration of the project;

2. Leading the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project by defining implementation modalities, forecasting expenditures and conducting fundraising activities;

3. Monitoring and expediting project implementation systematically through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive and project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in project reviews and evaluations and utilizing information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions;

4. Appraising, reviewing and adjusting the project and/or its outputs and activities to ensure consistency with national, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources, as well as developing schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the implementation of project activities, in consultation with the supervisor, technical, substantive and administrative service units;

5. Exchanging information and negotiating on project implementation with the national stakeholders in planning, finance, donor input co-ordination and sectoral functions, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies;

6. Arranging and representing the project and its activities at the 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 programmatic matters, in collaboration with designated internal and external partners and stakeholders.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in military studies, law, political science, strategic security studies, or another security-related field;

• A minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in the field of security sector and politico-military affairs in relevant national and international contexts, with a mandatory background in military, police, or customs service;

• A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience;

• Demonstrated progressively responsible experience in project management, in particular managing complex projects;

• Demonstrated thematic experience developing, implementing and evaluating policy, projects and activities in the field of security related to SALW and CA;

• Demonstrated experience in relationship-building, co-ordination, negotiation, and liaison with project stakeholders, including national authorities, the international community, and civil society;

• Proven ability to compile and analyze information of a political-military and security nature;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in local languages (Russian/Kyrgyz) and working knowledge of English

• 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.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 1818.92 Euro/month. Social benefits will include OSCE participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. 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.

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.