Head of Security Co-operation (S4)

General Minimum Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure 

Field of Expertise Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are: 

• Diplomatic experience or experience working in political affairs with international organizations or governments

• Experience in preparing analytical reports

• Excellent communication and drafting skills

• Knowledge of regional political history and developments

• Diplomatic and negotiating skills

• Some knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments
  

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science, law or related fields; 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

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least five years at the management level relevant to the actual position 

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• International mission members in the OSCE are internationally recruited. For the purposes of OSCE Missions (Field Operations) this means that they are hired to work in a duty station outside of their home country or country of permanent residence. As a result, nationals and permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible for international mission member positions. In the case of individuals with multiple nationalities, candidates are still ineligible for consideration even if using another citizenship for application while simultaneously maintaining the citizenship or permanent residence status of the country where the duty station is located;

• Extensive experience in international relations as well as in multidisciplinary issues related to security policy, security sector reform and politico-military affairs (e.g., arms control; cybersecurity; preventing and countering terrorism; border security and management; etc.);

• Experience in conducting negotiations, advocacy and/or liaison with governmental, military and/or law enforcement authorities;

• Demonstrated understanding of policy matters within European and regional security and defence structures, including best practices and approaches to address contemporary security threats and challenges;

• Demonstrated understanding and experience of the comprehensive approach to security and the concept of inclusive security;

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and a proven ability to integrate a gender perspective into programming and activities;

• Experience in programme planning and management;

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to lead and work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

• Demonstrated ability to work on cross-cutting issues across bureaucratic lines;

• Cultural sensitivity and sound judgment, with the highest professional and ethical standards;

• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and with limited time frames;

• Professional fluency in English language and effective oral and written communication and presentation skills;

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications. 
  

Desirable:

• Understanding of both the security sector situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular its institutions and bodies, and the overall political situation;

• Familiarity with the OSCE Project Cycle Management, OSCE policies, principles, procedures, practices and organizational structure;

• Working knowledge of the local languages.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Deputy Head of Mission, and as Programme Manager and a member of the Mission’s senior management team, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Developing, implementing and evaluating policy, projects and activities related to: the Mission’s security sector work, including security governance; counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism; arms control; and civilian security aspects such as police modernization, border management, anti-corruption, and cybersecurity;
2. Directing and supervising the work of the Department of Security Co-operation to ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely, efficient, strategic and effective manner, fully in line with the OSCE Project Management Cycle and Gender Action Plan;
3. Providing expert policy advice to the Head of Mission, Deputy Head of Mission, Mission Senior Staff and other organizations on the security situation in BiH, First Dimension areas of engagement and related Mission work;
4. Representing the Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission as necessary at related forums in BiH and abroad;
5. Maintaining appropriate liaison with relevant international organizations, stakeholders and domestic institutions, including security and defence related bodies, embassies, civil society and other counterparts;
6. Providing guidance to all departmental staff to achieve established goals; initiate formulation and dissemination of guidelines and other tools to set standards for security sector activities; ensure the department’s compliance with organizational policies and principles; and oversee the department’s strategic, budget and personnel planning.  

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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 open for secondment, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission is seven years.

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.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. 

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-formto the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here:https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations. 

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

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.