Senior Economic Officer

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions. The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of conflict, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. The Office currently comprises 25 staff members.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Co-ordinator / Head, Economic Activities, the Senior Economic Officer will assist the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities to carry out the mandate of the Department. If selected, you will be responsible for:

1. Directing the work and supervising the staff of the Economic Governance Unit, identifying and implementing OCEEA activities to address security aspects of economic co-operation and to promote good governance, particularly in the fields of migration, trade and transport, connectivity, anti-corruption, combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism; supporting the efforts of various OSCE field operations in the development and implementation of activities in economic and good governance areas;
2. Providing policy advice to participating States relating to good governance activities and providing inputs to the Economic and Environmental Dimension Policy meetings and to the OSCE decision making bodies;
3. Conceptualizing and preparing briefing papers and reports, shaping speeches and other relevant conceptual deliverables for the Secretary General, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, OSCE Senior Management, and representatives of the Chairmanship-in-Office, as required;
4. Assisting the OSCE Chairmanship in negotiating and drafting relevant Ministerial Council documents;
5. Establishing and maintaining contacts at a comparable level with officials of international organizations, sub-regional initiatives, NGOs and business groupings;
6. Planning current and future activities of the Economic Governance Unit for the OCEEA annual programme and budget, the OCEEA Activity Reports and the OSCE Annual Report;
7. Formulating and developing proposals for economic and good governance activities aimed at enhancing security, in consultation with the relevant authorities of participating States and field operations;
8. Supervising the drafting of OCEEA projects; reviewing and assessing the relative feasibility and impact of proposed projects submitted by Economic Officers/mission members in the field operations; providing guidance in the development of agenda items, work programmes for seminars, workshops, training courses and other activities;
9. Identifying potential partners and donors, and contributing to fund-raising efforts; conducting research and identifying target groups;
10. Assessing resources and the degree of implementation of project activities by the Economic Governance Unit; identifying problems and resource/financial deficiencies, initiating and proposing corrective or alternative action; monitoring potential funds for projects and responses to delegations and management requests for project information, including status of funding and implementation; liaising with other departments;
11. 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

• Second-level university degree in economics, law, international relations or political science; A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of eight years of progressively professional experience, at the international level; experience in leading teams;
• Experience in dealing with and providing policy advice to senior governmental representatives and officials of international organisations;
• In-depth understanding of and experience in security-related economic issues; strong experience in drafting and negotiating political documents as well as carrying out analysis and conceptualization;
• Professional fluency in English, with excellent communication and drafting skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, would be an important asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft packages.

• 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

• 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

• 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

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 7,695, 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/re-post 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 female and male 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.