Senior Co-ordination Adviser

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat and Executive structures. The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Gender Section is situated in the OSG and supports the efforts of the OSCE Secretary General to ensure a continuous and sustainable gender mainstreaming process across the Organization.  It supports the full implementation of the 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, as well as other gender-related commitments undertaken by the OSCE participating States. It assists and advises the OSCE Chair in Office and the OSCE Structures in the implementation of the Action Plan by providing technical assistance for the mainstreaming of gender in all activities, policies, programmes and projects. The Gender Section/OSG also designs and implements projects and activities that are strategically important for advancing the implementation of the OSCE commitments in the field of gender equality.

Currently male staff members in the Gender Section are underrepresented. Nominations of male candidates would be encouraged for this opportunity.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, the selected candidate will provide expertise, advice and support to the Section and the executive structures in their efforts to mainstream gender in OSCE programmes, projects, and activities in the three dimensions of comprehensive security with particular reference to the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (MC.DEC/14/04) and other relevant Ministerial Council (MC) decisions.   More specifically, the Senior Co-ordination Adviser on Gender Issues will perform the following duties:

1. Providing expertise, advice and support to the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues in efforts of the Gender Section and executive structures to mainstream gender in programmes, projects and activities of the Secretariat and executive structures, in the three dimensions of comprehensive security with emphasis on the implementation of the OSCE 2004 Gender Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and all relevant Ministerial Council Decisions;
2. Co-ordinating the promotion of gender equality initiatives in line with the relevant MC Decisions across the Organization, especially with regard to the achievement of a gender balance, gender sensitive internal policies, rules and regulations;
3. Co-ordinating continuous capacity building of the OSCE staff on mainstreaming of gender issues in the daily activities of the Organization and strengthening the gender focal points network;
4. Supporting the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues to develop and implement awareness raising, advocacy and capacity building initiatives for gender issues in the organization;
5. Liaising with Executive Structures and Departments of the Secretariat to build synergies and promote complementarity of gender-related activities, projects and programmes;
6. Supporting the design of innovative project proposals and initiatives on specific priority areas of the Gender Action Plan, raising extra budgetary funds, and ensuring smooth implementation of the projects and initiatives;
7. Supporting the Senior Gender Adviser in daily management and co-ordination of the office; supervising the programmatic work of gender advisers, performing regular monitoring and progress reviews; overseeing the work of interns and JPOs;
8. Acting as Deputy in the absence of Senior Gender Adviser;
9. Representing the OSCE in International events on gender issues and ensuring liaison, exchange and the establishment of partnerships, as appropriate, with international organizations, technical agencies, experts, leading NGOs, think tanks, and UN and other international and regional organizations that have complementary mandates for the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment.

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

• Advanced university degree in social, political or human sciences, gender studies, development studies or related field;
• A minimum of eight years' of directly related and progressively responsible professional experience including at least six years¿ in the promotion of gender equality and women's  empowerment, and/or women, peace and security agenda;
• Experience with the UN and/or other international agencies, including at least 3 years' experience in managing medium to large-scale technical assistance programmes at national, regional or international levels;
• Proven professional record in gender mainstreaming in policies, programmes, activities and tasks, preferably in large organizational settings;
• Several years' service in co-ordination and managerial positions in complex national, regional and international contexts, requiring interactions with multiple and diverse stakeholders;
• Project management experience,  including experience in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and fund raising;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Professional fluency and excellent drafting skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Computer literacy.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/states.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

Required competencies   

Core values

• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization¿s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

Core competencies

• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

Managerial competencies (for positions with managerial responsibilities)

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
• Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
• Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback