Deputy Director, Head of MSS (P5)

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.

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 OSCE Secretariat’s Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget, Finance and Compliance Section, Mission Support Service and Information and Communication Technology Section.

Mission Support Section (MSS) provides the working framework for OSCE's procurement and contracting, assets, logistics, transport, travel and facilities management activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and acts as the policy development and co-ordination point for resource administration in the OSCE's Executive Structures in relation to these activities, including providing on-site assistance and technical training programmes. It develops and maintains OSCE Financial Administrative Instructions within its scope of operations.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the Deputy Director, Head of the Mission Support Services, Department of Management and Finance, is responsible for the OSCE’s corporate supply chain management. He/She formulates policy and strategy development within procurement, asset management, travel management, and facilities management and is responsible for the implementation of the substantive work programme of Mission Support Services under his/her supervision. The incumbent oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Services, ensures that programmed activities meet strategic and operational objectives; ensures client focused corporate services.

The Deputy Director and Head of the Mission Support Services reports to the Director of Management and Finance and works with all executive structures to oversee and co-ordinate the OSCE supply chain, as well as asset and premises management. In addition, the incumbent collaborates with Secretariat Directors, Fund Managers, Programme Managers, Section Chiefs, and Chiefs of Fund Administration to provide direction, guidance, and facilitate information exchange on substantive issues. The incumbent also liaises with the Chairperson and members of the Advisory Committee on Management and Finance (ACMF) to discuss policies and their application, while closely cooperating with both External and Internal Auditors. Furthermore, the incumbent co-ordinates work across the different areas within the Service and Department, as well as with other OSCE institutions and field operations, as appropriate.

More specifically, the incumbent performs the following functions:

1. Contributing to the formulation of management policy and conceptual frameworks that guide analysis; seeking continuous improvement of the Financial Administrative Instructions (FAI) to ensure that they remain relevant to the needs of the Organization and support effective and efficient processes;

2. Contributing to the development of corporate supply chain strategy and operational strategies, adjusting business strategy and management reform;

3. Leading operational planning and management focusing on agility, productivity, and results, ensuring delivery of high quality and client-focused corporate services;

4. Co-ordinating and overseeing the preparation of work programmes and budgets, assigning and monitoring performance parameters, and reporting on budget/programme performance; providing high quality and relevant management reports to D/DMF, and through D/DMF to the Secretary General and relevant policy organs that support effective decision-making;

5. Determining priorities and allocating financial and human resources consistent with goals, priorities and budget; translating business opportunities into concrete measures and preparing and leading negotiations to achieve organizational objectives;

6. Leading the provision of client-focused technical and managerial advice, assistance and support to the Secretariat, Field Operations and Institutions, as necessary;

7. Co-ordinating advisory services to the Secretariat Fund Materials Management Committee (SEC FMMC) and the Organization Materials Management Committee (OMMC), as appropriate; providing guidance to all other FMMCs within the Organization;

8. Carrying out other related duties as assigned, including deputizing for D/DMF.
     

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level (Advanced) university degree in business administration, engineering, finance, management or a related field;
• Certification in procurement, assets, logistics management, project or audit management would be an asset;
• A minimum of ten years (twelve years with first-level university degree) of professional experience in procurement, supply chain management or in management, engineering or technical experience at a senior management and policy-making level in an international corporate environment (international organization, public or private sector);    
• Experience in capital expenditure planning is required;
• Operational experience including the planning, development, and implementation of field activities is desirable;
• Financial management expertise is an asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is desirable;
• 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 literacy with practical experience in web-based ERP applications is required.
   

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 11,300, 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 5 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.