NORDEM roster is seeking Norwegian Citizen for Reporting Officer - Special Monitoring Mission Ukraine - OSCE - Expert Deployment/ NORCAP

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) was deployed on 21 March 2014, following a request to the OSCE by Ukraine's government and a consensus decision by all 57 OSCE participating States. The SMM is a civilian mission, present on the ground in all regions of Ukraine. Its main tasks are to monitor and report in an impartial and objective way on the situation in Ukraine; and to facilitate dialogue among all parties to the crisis.

The Mission is mandated to contribute to reducing tensions and to help foster peace, stability and security, and to support the implementation of all OSCE principles and commitments. The Mission engages with authorities at all levels, as well as civil society, ethnic and religious groups and local communities to facilitate dialogue on the ground. The Mission gathers information and reports on the security situation, establishes and report facts in response to specific incidents, including those concerning alleged violations of fundamental OSCE principles.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Initial duration of appointment/assignment for this post is until 31 March 2018, subject to a subsequent OSCE Permanent Council Decision to extend the mandate of the Mission.

If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment. As part of the recruitment process applicants must be determined as fit to work for the SMM prior to appointment/assignment, by completing a medical examination form and/or medical questionnaire, which will be assessed by a duly qualified medical practitioner appointed by the SMM. Applicants are hereby notified that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is designated by the OSCE as a non-family duty station. This designation is based on the fluid and dynamic working environment in the SMM and with due consideration to recommendations of the UN International Civil Service Commission. The currently prevailing working conditions in the duty station may include working in a hazardous location with extended hours of service, and possibly curtailed freedom of movement. Successful candidates who are appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will receive hazard pay. In addition, all successful candidates will be required to participate in the OSCE accident and life insurance scheme in accordance with the OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Reporting and Political Analysis, the Reporting Officer will be responsible for:

1. Drafting the Mission's regular and thematic reports and ensuring consistency and accuracy of the Mission's reporting;

2. Reviewing policy documents, reports for external distribution and letters, ensuring that materials submitted for clearance is consistent with the Mission's mandate and political objectives;

3. Preparing talking points, briefing materials and research papers;

4. Drafting, as requested, articles, answers to interviews, and speeches for the Chief Monitor and Deputy Chief Monitors of the Special Monitoring Mission; working closely with the Press and Public Information Officers to ensure that final drafts incorporate clear messages;

5. Preparing and editing reports on the Mission's activities and other political and related issues to inform the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Participating States, Institutions and the Secretariat;

6. Providing information/briefings to other actors upon request;

7. Analysing the political situation and developments in the Mission area,

8. Assisting the senior management in developing official responses to issues of political importance for the Mission;

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:

- University education in international studies, public policy, political science or law or related fields

- 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: Advanced degree in a relevant field

Experience: Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

- Professional experience in a related field, preferably in an international environment or within operational missions;

- Experience in political reporting and with sound analytical skills;

- Professional fluency in the English language with the ability to analyse and communicate clearly and concisely;

- Significant prior experience in relevant fields such as human rights, political affairs and security issues;

- Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure; proven resilience to high stress environments;

- 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;

- Cultural sensitivity and political judgement;

- Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail.

Desirable:

- Experience of working in Eastern Europe and/or knowledge of the region;

- Experience with the UN common system and/or other international organizations;

- Working knowledge of the Ukrainian and/or Russian language(s)

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, please see http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm