Project Associate (G6)

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 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OCEEA's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. 

The OCEEA’s work in good economic governance is guided by the 2003 Maastricht OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension, as well as relevant Ministerial Council Decisions of 2004 in Sofia, 2014 in Basel, 2016 in Hamburg, 2018 in Milano, 2020 in Tirana, as well as a 2012 OSCE Dublin Declaration. These commitments tasked the OCEEA to engage in relevant capacity building activities and encouraged participating States to prevent and combat corruption and money laundering. The OCEEA, and its Economic Governance Unit in particular, supports concrete projects and activities through capacity building and awareness-raising events, scoping and advisory missions, as well as activities aimed at strengthening institutional and legislative frameworks. Assistance also focuses on anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing through the use of new technologies, including cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets. 

The post is located in the Economic Governance Unit (EGU) within the OSCE Secretariat, OCEEA. It is an extra-budgetary (ExB) post within the project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets” that is currently envisaged to last until the end of 2027. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Project Associate reports to Senior Project Officer, while Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities acts as the second-level supervisor. 

The incumbent provides substantive input to project planning, implementation and management, including by holding responsibility for delivery of assigned project outcomes or aspects, as well as by adapting internal processes, techniques, materials and/or equipment to meet specific project needs. 

Working under minimum supervision, the Project Associate provides technical support and recommends process improvement in project management by performing skilled, semi-professional functions of substantial variety and complexity that require the application of different and unrelated processes and methods and an understanding of a broad area of operation within the field relevant for the project, including proposing new areas of activity. 

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

1. Conducting independent research and monitoring developments in the sector and/or geographical area relevant for the project; collating and presenting data and information that may affect the project and making recommendations concerning approaches as to how to best address the implementation of project activities;

2. Designing, organizing and implementing assigned project activities, which may include workshops, missions, conferences, study visits, workshop, training interventions etc., by recommending priority activities, liaising with participants, preparing written material for supervisor’s approval, and obtaining the required administrative approvals; keeping track of pending matters and following up with other offices on deadlines;

3. Co-ordinating reporting requirements; preparing and providing substantive input to progress and financial reports, monitoring and evaluation reports, follow-up project proposals; drafting concept notes, talking points and background material, providing substantive input and putting documents into adequate style, language and format proofreading documents and editing texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices;

4. Monitoring administration of assigned project outcomes, including tracking budget and expenditure, and making recommendations for improvements to the design and delivery of the work processes and practices to meet specific project needs, by focusing on the provision of defined services and seeking opportunities to improve the delivery of the service by collaborating or integrating processes or activities;

5. Co-ordinating administrative arrangements, including the preparation of terms of reference and selection of consultants, implementing partners and vendors; performing general office support services and administrative and logistical arrangements for in-person, online and hybrid events, such as meetings, workshops, conferences, study visits, missions etc.; developing project databases with references and cross-references;

6. Using ERP, initiating and following up on actions related to requisitions, recruitment of consultants, training and study tours, purchase of services and goods, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and dealing with all related inquiries;

7. Liaising with international, regional and national governmental and non-governmental institutions with the purpose of collecting and sharing information and co-ordinating activities in the area, cryptocurrencies, digitalization and anti-money laundering.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Law, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration;

• A minimum of six years of working experience in project planning, implementation and reporting; 

• Established knowledge and understanding of the developments in the area of good governance/anti-corruption/anti-money laundering or related fields, in particular cryptocurrencies and virtual assets;

• Ability to conduct independent research and collect information from a variety of sources;

• Experience of working with consultants on development of curriculum and/or training materials;

• Knowledge of basics of blockchain technology and virtual assets;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be a strong asset;

• 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;

• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet. Experience with an ERP software is an asset.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 5,580 (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.