POLITICAL OFFICER (S2)

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;
• Negotiating skills;
• Some knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments.
   

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

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

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience.

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;
• Experience in working in the region and knowledge of the historical and current political situation in the Mission area;
• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills;
• Experience in liaising with governmental and non-governmental organizations;
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Cultural sensitivity and sound judgement;
• Professional fluency in English and ability to draft documents clearly and concisely;
• Working knowledge of Russian language;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and e-mail.
   

Desirable:

• Knowledge of political integration and power sharing models as a conflict resolution tool;
• Knowledge of Romanian language would be an asset;
• Strong mediation and negotiation skills;
• Experience working in an international organization, diplomacy and public affairs.
   

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Mission leadership and the Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) Programme Manager, and the direct supervision of the Senior Political Officer, the incumbent will be tasked with:

1. Proactively and upon request, advising all relevant colleagues in the Mission on political and conflict sensitivities;   

2. Drafting and contributing to regular analytical reports, briefings, talking points, and inputs for mission leadership; 

3. Supporting dialogue, negotiation, and confidence-building measures;

4. Supporting the work of other Mission Members by providing political analysis and representation, including on issues related to the Joint Control Commission and the Peacekeeping operation;

5. Maintaining a broad array of contacts and providing political advice on developments on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River;

6. Identifying potential risks of conflict or escalation and advising on preventive measures, in liaison with other mission components;

7. Participate in the Mission-wide security zone monitoring programme: conduct monthly monitoring visits to designated security zone locations; contribute to monitoring reports;

8. Performing other duties as assigned.
     

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

The OSCE pays living expenses in the form of a Board and Lodging Allowance (BLA) of EUR 119 per day, subject to change without prior notice. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme.

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.