Senior Communications and Co-ordination Associate (G7)

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.

Free expression and free media are basic human rights. To ensure compliance with media-freedom commitments agreed upon by participating States, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) was established in December 1997. The function of the Representative is to observe relevant media developments in OSCE participating States with a view to providing early warning on violations of freedom of expression.

The Representative concentrates on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States. In case of serious problems caused, for instance, by obstruction of media activities and unfavourable working conditions for journalists, the Representative seeks direct contacts with the participating State and other parties involved, assesses the facts and contributes to the resolution of the issue. Another task is to assist participating States by advocating and promoting full compliance with OSCE principles and commitments regarding freedom of expression and free media. Assistance is typically provided in the form of legal analyses of legislation, organizing conferences and roundtables during which best practices are shared and promoted, preparing topical publications on media freedom matters and providing training seminars for media and government officials.

The post is located in the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Senior Communications and Co-ordination Associate contributes to the strategic communication and co-ordination capacity of the Office by supporting the planning, development and delivery of communication activities. Moreover, the incumbent consolidates inputs for Representative's briefing notes and daily files from different Advisers and ensures timely submission. The incumbent supervises three administrative staff, distributing workload, managing performance and guiding development.

Working under minimum supervision, the Senior Communications and Co-ordination Associate leads the communication and activities co-ordination support, to strengthen the Office’s visibility, supporting inclusive engagement and improving efficiency. 

The incumbent reports to the Director of the Office and the second-level supervisor is the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM). She/he works closely with the Representative on Freedom of the Media on various short and long-term tasks, activities and requests, in close collaboration with all members of the office and under the general guidance of the Director.

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

1. Acting as the Office's central co-ordination and reference point for institutional activities, contributing to policy development and programme planning, and providing independent substantive advice to the Director and the Principal Adviser to support informed decision-making;

2. Establishing and upholding quality standards for professional inputs, conducting substantive reviews of talking points, briefing notes, travel files and background materials, and advising senior management on content, positioning and institutional coherence;

3. Leading and co-ordinating the Office's communication and public information function, including defining communication priorities, ensuring consistent institutional messaging, and advising Senior Management on outreach strategies across publications, web and social media platforms;

4. Representing the Office in media-related and inter-institutional co-ordination matters, serving as the principal focal point for external enquiries, and ensuring consistent institutional positioning in close consultation with Senior Management;

5. Ensuring office-wide co-ordination and coherence by proactively managing information flow, advising on prioritization and sequencing of activities, resolving competing demands, and supporting Senior Management in aligning operational and strategic priorities;

6. Serving as the institutional owner of the Office's web presence and digital communication tools, establishing content standards, overseeing compliance and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and messaging;

7. Providing functional leadership for communication and co-ordination activities across the Office, guiding and advising staff and contributors, and contributing substantively to performance evaluations and capacity development in line with best practices;

8. Performing other tasks as assigned.
    

     

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, please see https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training in public information, media affairs and administrative duties;
• A first-level university degree in international relations, political science or communications would be an asset;
• A minimum of seven years of working experience in communications, public information and administration including planning and co-ordinating high-level activities, preferably in an international environment; a university degree in a relevant field may be considered as a substitute for up to two years of working experience only to determine eligibility;
• Experience in drafting and editing communication materials, managing content on website and digital platforms;
• Ability to co-ordinate inputs from multiple contributors and manage competing deadlines;
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong understanding of political sensitivities, tact and diplomacy;
• Initiative, flexibility and the ability to work independently with minimum supervision;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE languages is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in managing communication assistants and administrative staff;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity with the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people from different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.
   

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 6,450 (12 times a year) depending on 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. 

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.