Short-term Assistant Project Officer (P1)

Background:

Please note that this is a short-term position for the duration of 5 months and 29 days.

The OSCE´s comprehensive approach to security encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects, addressing a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, economic governance, climate change, environment and security, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, and counter-terrorism. 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.

Against this background, the OSCE provides a platform for political dialogue on security risks associated with climate change in the OSCE region. The OCEEA, in close collaboration with the OSCE Field Operations and other OSCE entities and together with its international partners, implements activities on the ground to raise awareness and to assess and address potential security risks linked to climate change.

The OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No. 3/21 on “Strengthening Co-operation to Address the challenges caused by Climate Change” adopted in Stockholm in December 2021 recognizes that the effects of climate change can exacerbate economic challenges and environmental degradation, which may negatively affect prosperity, stability and security in the OSCE area and tasks the OCEEA, the OSCE Field Operations as well as other relevant OSCE Executive Structures to assist participating States in implementing the provisions of this decision, in co-operation with other relevant regional and international organizations. The decision emphasizes the importance of the effective involvement of women in decision-making processes in the field of climate change and calls on participating States to promote the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and also of girls where appropriate, in related programmes and activities.

The post is located in the Environmental Co-operation Unit, Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities within the OSCE Secretariat. It is an extra-budgetary (ExB) post within the project “Strengthening Co-operation for Regional Climate Resilience and Security in the OSCE area” that is currently envisaged to last until the end of 2030.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Assistant Project Officer reports to the Senior Climate Change and Security Adviser, with the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Environmental Activities acting as the second-level supervisor.
 

The incumbent assists with project planning, implementation and management by supporting the preparation and delivery of assigned project activities and routine project outputs in accordance with established procedures and the guidance of the supervisor.
Working under close supervision, the Assistant Project Officer provides technical and project management support to project implementation, applying basic project administration principles and established OSCE procedures.
 

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

1. Assisting with research and monitoring developments in relevant thematic and/or geographical areas; collecting, organizing and summarizing data and information for review by the supervisor;

2. Assisting in organizing and implementing project activities, which may include workshops, missions, conferences, study visits and training interventions, by liaising with participants, preparing written material for the supervisor's approval, obtaining the required administrative approvals and following up on pending matters and deadlines;

3. Collecting information and preparing draft inputs for progress and financial reports, monitoring and evaluation reports, follow-up project proposals, concept notes, talking points and background material; proofreading and formatting documents in accordance with standard practices;

4. Assisting with the monitoring and administration of assigned project activities, including tracking workplans, deliverables, budgets and expenditure, maintaining project records and bringing delays, discrepancies or other issues to the attention of the supervisor;

5. Supporting administrative arrangements, including preparing, under instruction, terms of reference and related documentation for consultants, implementing partners and vendors; providing administrative and logistical support for in-person, online and hybrid events, such as meetings, workshops, conferences, study visits and missions; maintaining project databases, files and contact lists;

6. Using the OSCE enterprise resource planning system, initiating and following up, under guidance, on requisitions, recruitment of consultants, training and study tours, purchases of services and goods, payments and travel requests and claims, and dealing with routine related inquiries;

7. Supporting in liaising with international, regional and national governmental and non-governmental institutions within the project framework for the purpose of collecting and sharing information, supporting participation and facilitating the practical co-ordination of project activities;

8. Carrying out other tasks as assigned.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Renewable Energy Innovation, Social Sciences or other relevant field;

• A minimum of two years (one year with a relevant second-level degree) of professional experience in assisting with project planning, implementation and reporting, preferably in the field of climate change, environmental issues or a related field;

• Established knowledge and understanding of the developments in the area of climate change, environment, biodiversity, social sciences or related fields;

• Ability to collect, organize and summarize information from a variety of sources and prepare draft project documents and background materials;

• Experience in working with/for the OSCE and/or in the OSCE area would be an asset;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;

• 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 a 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 is around EUR 4,800, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme.

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 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.