Cyber Security Officer

The Co-ordination Cell (CC) of the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), and in particular its Cyber Security Officer (CSO), supports the Secretary General, the Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats (D/TNTD) and the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office in all cyber/ICT security related matters on the policy level and acts as focal point for participating States’ requests for activities to enhance cyber/ICT security. TNTD/CC supports the participating States (pS), in particular the relevant Informal Working Group (IWG), in the implementation and further development of pertinent confidence-building measures (CBMs), in line with Permanent Council (PC) Decision No 1039 (welcomed by Ministerial Council Decision No. 4/12) and PC Decision No 1106 (welcomed by Ministerial Declaration No 2/13). TNTD/CC also promotes efforts of the OSCE in this thematic area at international expert meetings and liaises with internal and external partners with a view to exploring potential areas of co-operation and collaboration.

The OSCE Gender Action Plan is committed to increasing the number of female staff in all areas of the OSCE’s work.   Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this opportunity.  

Under the overall supervision of the Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, the Cyber Security Officer acts as the OSCE-wide focal point/co-ordinator for cyber/ICT security policy issues and the main interlocutor on cyber/ICT security related issues and relations with International/Regional Organizations as well as the private sector and academia.

The selected candidate will be tasked with:

1. Developing, designing and providing recommendations on a variety of cyber/ICT security issues with a particular focus on inter-state relations to OSCE participating States, the OSCE Chairmanship, the Secretary General, the OSCE Delegations and the OSCE executive structures;
2. Liaising with internal and external counterparts with a view to ensuring consistency and coherence in Organization-wide cyber/ICT security-related policies and activities; exploring potential areas for inter-organizational co-operation and synergies;
3. Supporting the Informal Working Group established by PC Decision No 1039, with a particular focus on the implementation of PC Decisions Nos. 1106 and 1202 and MC.DEC/5/16;
4. Monitoring cyber/ICT security related developments and the positions/preferences of pS and other international/regional organizations;
5. Providing technical advice on cyber/ICT security and management issues to the Chairmanship, Secretary General, and OSCE Delegations (e.g. concepts, food for thought papers, draft MC/PC decisions etc.);
6. Representing the OSCE at meetings, including at high-level (e.g. conferences, workshops, seminars), dealing with cyber/ICT security;
7. Providing substantive guidance to capacity-building and/or awareness-raising activities organized by other OSCE structures (e.g. Field Operations and Institutions) that  touch/impact on cyber/ICT security;
8. Co-ordinating and managing the work of staff working on cyber/ICT security projects in the TNT Department;
9. Running and maintaining the OSCE cyber focal point network;
10. Performing other related duties as required.

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

• First level university degree in political science, international relations, international security or other relevant field(s);
• Minimum of six years of professional experience with a national or international organization or relevant non-governmental entity which addresses transnational threats to security preferably focusing on cyber/ICT security issues at the policy level;  at least two years of relevant experience at the international level, including managing the work of staff assigned to cyber-security issues;
• Excellent communication skills, experience in networking and managing a high number of contacts;
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the political sensitivity of inter-state relations as they pertain to cyber/ICT security issues;
• Professional fluency in English language with excellent oral and written communication skills and good drafting ability;
• Project management experience;
• Ability to remain abreast of trends in developments in the field of cyber-security as well as the efforts of other actors in the field;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 6,140 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

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

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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 applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

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

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

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