Call for Nominations: Talent Acquisition Programme

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: TALENT ACQUISITION PROGRAMME

Strengthening the Preparation of High-Potential Candidates

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Italian Chairmanship are inviting nominations to its Talent Acquisition Programme aimed at Strengthening the Preparation of High-Potential Candidates from target participating States. This initiative is an addition to the DHR Talent Acquisition Programme (TAP) and is funded through Extra Budgetary resources.

The goal of this initiative is to diversify and enlarge the pool of candidates from less represented or non-represented participating States (pS) for international posts. The project includes a tailor-made 2-week experience gathering candidates from target countries for an intense OSCE recruitment focused course. The goal is to raise awareness and increase skills in order to support the preparation of candidates for the recruitment process in the OSCE. The aim is also to expose participants to the environment of international civil servants and the specific context of the OSCE in order to enhance participants’ preparation for competing in the competency-based assessments employed by the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and Field Operations.

Those selected will participate in a two-week interactive training. Topics covered will include OSCE and International Organizations’ employment principles, thematic clinics on various areas of expertise, the OSCE recruitment process, guidance on completing job applications, interview preparation workshops and gender and diversity considerations. An introduction to project management will also be included. The course will be conducted in English, which will in turn, help participants to develop language skills in the specific context of the OSCE and OSCE recruitment. The course will be held between 28 November and 7 December, 2018 in Pisa and Milan, Italy. 

While the project will be open for nominations by all pS, the pS primarily targeted for this project are those whose candidates may be less familiar with the type of recruitment and selection process employed by the OSCE and pS who experience comparative disadvantages in pre-selecting and preparating their candidates. Guiding factors which will be considered for the identification of target pS are:

1) GDP per capita <€7,000

2) Level of representation

It is foreseen that 20 high-potential participants from target pS will be funded through Extra Budgetary resources. pS are also invited to nominate candidates for whom they will cover the full costs. Candidates will be selected through the following process:

1. Candidates will be identified, pre-selected and nominated by respective pS;

2. DHR will receive nominations and complete the selection process. The selection process, consistent with that applied to all categories of staff, will be based on the following considerations

                a. An assessment of the relevant education and skills

                b. Relevant professional experience 

                c. Interviews and other assessments such as written assignments

                d. Professional level of English and other language skills

In order to ensure diverse representation, the following factors will also be considered:

1. The nomination/selection process may consider those who have participated in OSCE recruitment processes previously.

2. Given the current lack of nominations of females nominated for Secondments, preference will be given to female candidates.

3. Male candidates with profiles in areas of work where there is under-representation of men will also be prioritized.

Deadline for nomination: 08/10/2018