Senior Technical Project Officer

Background:

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is an unarmed, civilian mission, present on the ground 24/7 throughout Ukraine. Its main tasks are to observe 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 contributes to reducing tensions and to fostering peace, stability and security. The Mission engages with authorities at all levels, as well as civil society, ethnic and religious groups and local communities. The Mission gathers information and reports on the security situation; and establishes and reports facts in response to specific incidents, including those concerning alleged violations of fundamental OSCE principles. The Mission currently foresees around 1,450 mission members spread across 10 Monitoring Teams and budgetary resources of about EUR 100 million.

At the beginning of the Mission, the means of monitoring have relied heavily on traditional ground patrolling. However, it became apparent that ground patrolling alone was not sufficient to obtain a comprehensive overview of the security situation. This is mainly due to the size of the Mission's area of operations versus the Mission's footprint, combined with restrictions on access, notably in areas of military engagement. In order to increase the Mission's reach and coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the SMM started exploring the complementary use of different types of monitoring technology as early as in the summer of 2014. Since October 2014, the SMM has been using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) and, since June 2015, satellite imagery. Observation technology through the deployment of video cameras was added to the portfolio of technical monitoring in January 2016. Lessons learnt, and external assessments of the use of these different types of monitoring technology, have led to a refinement of the most appropriate ones for the operational environment of the SMM and in support of its monitoring and supporting functions.

Many parts of the SMM have some role and responsibility for data and information management, including in relation to the use of monitoring technology. In order to optimize their use with available Mission resources and against priority objectives, the Senior Technical Project Officer shall support the Mission in integration of current technologies/processes into existing Mission structures, as well as identify processes of how these different technologies are applied and interrelate, and how roles and responsibilities for their use are assigned.

For additional information about the mission, please see: https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine

The Mission, in line with the OSCE SMM Gender Equality Action Plan, is committed to improving the gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the SMM. Currently female professionals are underrepresented within the SMM, including in management roles. Female candidates are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for this middle management opportunity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:  

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Chief Monitor Operations (DCM Ops) and direct supervision of the Head of Operations, in close collaboration with the Technical Operations Co-ordination Officer, the Senior Technical Project Officer is responsible for planning, development, management of activities and delivery of the projects related to enhancing and maintaining the technical monitoring capacity of the SMM. She/he will be responsible for keeping the DCM Ops informed on the implementation of technology related SMM projects. Specifically, Senior Technical Project Officer performs the following: 

1. Managing the overall implementation of technical projects, including deployment to the field, planning sustainment systems and overall co-ordination of project outcomes;
2. Advising the DCM Ops, the Director on Administration and Finance (DAF) and other senior management team members on technology-based projects supporting monitoring and information collection, ensuring coherence with the Mission's overall strategic direction. Forecasting and advising SMM senior management on the most operationally feasible and cost-effective options to respond to identified needs for technical monitoring support in implementation of the Mission mandate;
3. In co-operation with the Operations Unit, planning, managing and co-ordinating with SMM senior management and respective Units technical project activities, from substantive, administrative and financial points of view, applying strategic planning and systematic co-ordination of project activities;
4. Providing direction and leadership in advocating project objectives, and in ensuring that all interested parties are well informed about project activities and goals;
5. Providing recommendations on the capabilities of specific technologies and capacities, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners;
6. Developing project proposals and related documentation for technical monitoring projects, based on assessment of needs, requirements, risks and feasibility. Projects may include, but are not limited to: long, mid and short-range UAVs; field surveillance using a variety of sensor platforms; movable accommodation facilities (container-based); and fixed, mobile or handheld technical equipment for use by monitors;
7. Leading the process of execution and close-out of technical projects to meet operational requirements, including operational procedures and best practices in technical project management, in line with OSCE standard procedures and Rules and Regulations;
8. Co-ordinating the work with the relevant administrative and financial units in relation to their support, and to procurement of goods and services, including contracts according to the OSCE requirements of rules and regulations;
9. Identifying and co-ordinating with the respective Units/Sections at the Head Office and Operations Unit any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the Project;
10. Ensuring implementation of sustainment systems and timely maintenance of technical components of projects and their uninterrupted functioning;
11. Ensuring the quality of outputs and results with optimal monitoring mechanisms; establishing effective co-ordination, monitoring, information sharing and reporting systems;
12. Providing regular updates, reports, periodical analytical reports and briefings on situation and developments of technical monitoring capacity of the SMM, including budget inputs and implementation reports. Preparing briefing materials for internal and external use; providing practical advice and guidance on technical monitoring;
13. Identifying needs and overseeing development of customized training programmes related to operating technical monitoring tools;
14. Performing other related duties as required.

Qualification and Experience:

Mandatory:

• Minimum of six years of relevant professional experience in any of the following fields: project management, engineering, development or implementation of complex technology-based equipment systems in a field setting; including at least three years at the management level relevant to the post;
• Experience with development of complex technical projects in operationally challenging environments, including planning, budgeting, proposal writing, risk, communication and stakeholder relations management, project implementation, documentation and close-out;
• Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating technical, operational, logistics and administrative plans, instructions and processes in support of complex projects (e.g. UAV, cameras and remote sensor technologies, container-based housing and work sites, and others);
• Professional fluency in English; proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to assess situations and react rapidly, as well as to adjust and cope with changing tasks and priorities;
• Ability to operate Windows applications including MS Project, Word, Excel, Outlook as well as familiarity with internet search engines and techniques;
• Demonstrable organizational skills;
• Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals and results-focused reports;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with supervisors and colleagues, 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;
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality objectives as well as the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using a manual transmission;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure.

Desirable:

• Experience in the application of technological monitoring systems to the monitoring of conflicts and/or ceasefire regimes;
• Experience in managing project teams with diverse experience in a volatile security environment;
• Experience of working in an international environment;
• Experience of working in Eastern Europe and/or knowledge of the region;
• Certification in project management (Prince 2 or PMP).

Education:

Second-level university degree in public/business administration, engineering, operations management, project management or related field or graduate of a national military or police academy at officer level with technical project management experience in logistics, procurement, contracting or other related field. 

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

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 and skill development opportunities

Additional information:

Seconded Mission members in the SMM are entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance (BLA) payable by the Organization at the amount of EUR 125 per day (subject to change without prior notice).

Should evidence of coverage of a world-wide Health Insurance scheme, including war risk, not be presented, the Mission member will be registered with the OSCE group health insurance scheme of Cigna. Monthly rates will be deducted from the Mission member's BLA.

International mission members appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will additionally receive EUR 30 per day as hazard pay.

Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

Initial duration of assignment for this post is for a period of 12 months, with a possibility of extension, 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.

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. 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.

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

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

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.