Junior Professional Officer Programme

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, 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 overall goal of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme is to provide the selected JPOs with a comprehensive overview of the Organization, and in particular familiarize them with the OSCE programmatic approach and regulatory framework. In addition, the aim is to equip JPOs with important skills and abilities to build their professional career in an international and multicultural environment, exposing them to experience at both Secretariat and field level. This will further enable them to compete for future entry-level positions in the international civil service sector.

During their one-year assignment, JPOs will work at two different duty stations and might therefore have the opportunity to focus on two different subject areas. First, there will be a six-month period at the Secretariat (September 2020 until March 2021) followed by another six-month period in one of the OSCE field operations (March 2021 until September 2021).

For more information about OSCE's Junior Professional Officer Programme please watch the webinar on JPO Opportunities: https://jobs.osce.org/webinars

Potential openings:

The OSCE looks forward to receiving nominations from qualified candidates who will compete for 22 JPO positions offered in the Secretariat. For this 23rd round of the Programme we are targeting candidates for positions in:

• Office of the Secretary General: a. Executive Management Section/Co-ordination; b. External Co-operation Section; c. Office of Legal Affairs; d. Gender Section; e. Communication and Media Relations Section; f. Conference and Language Services.

• Conflict Prevention Centre: a. South Caucasus Desk; b. Programming and Evaluation Support Unit; c. Forum for Security and Co-operation.

• Office of the Special Representative/Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings: a. Supply Chains Projects; b. Simulation-based Training.

• Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities: a. Energy Security; b. Environment Central Asia Focus; c. Economic Governance Unit.

• Transnational Threats Department: a. Strategic Police Matters Unit; b. Action against Terrorism Unit.

• Department of Management and Finance: a. Accounts Unit.

• Department for Human Resources: a. Recruitment Unit; b. Executive Management/Planning and Co-ordination.

• Office of Internal Oversight: a. Evaluation Section; b. Investigation Section.

• Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFOM).

Candidates may indicate their preference for a maximum of three areas of interest in the Cover Letter; however, the Organization reserves the right to short-list candidates according to the needs of the receiving department.

For more information on OSCE's activities please consult: https://www.osce.org/secretariat

Under the supervision of an OSCE Official, JPOs will be involved in the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of OSCE initiatives. According to the needs of the receiving departments, JPOs in this 23rd round may engage in activities including, but not limited to the following tasks:

1. Conducting desk/thematic research, or surveys and analyses, and drafting research papers, policy reports or concept papers for the department/office of assignment;
2. Preparing and compiling policy work such as files and background material for senior managers trips, bi-lateral meetings and country visits;
3. Drafting inputs for the Permanent Council and other reports;
4. Assisting in the preparation of written materials such as briefing papers/memos/talking points/speeches/ documents/newsletters, and PowerPoint presentations on specific issues related to the department of assignment;
5. Attending various OSCE meetings, such as regular meetings of the OSCE decision-making and OSCE-related bodies, OSCE Security and Economic and Environmental Committee meetings, the Human Dimension Committee and Advisory Committee on Management and Finance meetings, or accompanying senior managers to external conferences, taking minutes, drafting official records and writing reports;
6. Gaining an understanding of the legal framework of the OSCE, reviewing and providing comments/suggestions on legal documents/agreements, preparing legal opinions, performing research and drafting communications in response to questions received from the OSCE institutions/field operations;
7. Assisting in project management such as participating in needs assessments, preparation of project proposals/budgets, and/or following up on the implementation of on-going projects and compiling Project Progress reports for donors;
8. Contributing to the drafting of the Programme Budget Performance Reports and Programme Outlines;
9. Gaining insight into and participating in audit/evaluation assignments in order to gain an overview of the results and effectiveness of OSCE projects and programmes;
10. Supporting the organization of events, meetings, regional workshops, round-tables and conferences such as the Security Days, OSCE Economic and Environmental Fora, annual Aarhus Centre Meetings, the OSCE Summer School, capacity-building training, preparations for Ministerial Council meetings, etc.;
11. Gaining an overview of the complexities and challenges involved in the provision of human resources, financial services, supply chain/travel management/procurement activities to the OSCE's diverse operations/locations;
12. Supporting the assigned department with website updates, the production of booklets and leaflets and communication related events/outreach activities;
13. Performing other administrative duties such as editing/formatting files for dissemination, maintaining correspondence, translations from English into Russian and vice-versa, as applicable.

Note: Specific Terms of Reference (ToR) for Secretariat placements detailing the department/office, tasks and responsibilities can be found online. JPOs can expect to be informed about their field operation placement approximately 2-3 months prior to departure to the field. While the OSCE attempts to place selected JPOs in one of their three top areas of interest JPOs should be willing to be assigned to any OSCE department/duty station and they will need to commit to this principle in writing upon selection.

• The 2020 JPO Programme is open to: 1) nationals of OSCE participating States which agree to fund Junior Professional Officers for this one-year, and 2) a limited (maximum five) number of nationals of OSCE participating States who do are not in the position to sponsor;
• Candidates should be under the age of 30 on the deadline of this vacancy notice;
• Completed first-level degree from accredited universities in a field of study relevant to OSCE's mandate. This may include degrees in: economics/environmental studies, educational/social sciences, international (criminal) law, terrorism studies, Central Asian or East European studies, peace and conflict studies, finance, accounting, human resources. Furthermore, graduates from recognized police and military academies are also eligible;
• Professional fluency in English, both oral and written, and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely is mandatory; Knowledge of other OSCE official languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Awareness of the importance of integrating a diversity perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated open-mindedness, flexibility, high motivation and readiness to take on challenges;
• Previous work experience in a relevant field would be an asset.

If you wish to apply, please note that your application is subject to nomination by your authorities. This applies for both candidates sponsored by the OSCE (Unified Budget) or funded directly by your participating State. For more information about sponsorship and nomination consideration please enquire with your participating State: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations

Direct application to the OSCE Secretariat without nomination shall not be considered.

• Each JPO sponsored by the OSCE will receive a monthly allowance of EUR 1,250 during the Secretariat assignment, and EUR 1,000 during the Field Operation placement. These JPOs will be enrolled in the OSCE health and life/accident/disability insurance schemes.Travel expenses by most economic route to/from the country of residence to Vienna and to/from Vienna to the respective field operation will also be covered by the OSCE. Successful candidates will be responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements in Vienna/at the duty station, however, the OSCE is willing to provide advice, if required. For positions funded by the OSCE (Unified Budget) gender and geographical considerations will be part of the criteria used in the assessment of applications.
• Each JPO sponsored by participating States should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. In this case, all costs relating to the assignment of this round of the Junior Professional Officer Programme shall be borne by the authorities of the nominating participating States. You can inquire about this process via your participating State delegation at the above mentioned link.

Candidates interested in participating in this Programme are requested to apply online using the application form at the top of the page.

The online application system will forward applications directly to the respective authorities in your country of nationality, usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who may conduct an initial selection before nominating their candidates to the OSCE. If your participating State does not allow you to apply online for seconded positions, you should contact the respective OSCE delegation, whose address can be found under this link: https://​​​​​​​osce.org/contacts/delegations.

Participating States may conduct an initial screening process prior to the deadline for  applications and before nominating candidates to the OSCE. Please direct all inquiries to your relevant national authorities and apply several days prior to the expiry of the deadline to allow enough time for your application to be processed. Delayed nominations or nominations sent directly to the OSCE Secretariat will not be considered.

The evaluation of qualified candidates considered further may include a written test and a pre-recorded SONRU competency-based interview followed by a final round interview with the receiving department. In addition to the technical/post-related competencies, the OSCE has defined an inventory of expected skills and behaviours that lead to excellence on the job. JPOs need to abide to the provisions stated in the OSCE competency model which can be consulted under the following link: https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/ourcompetency-model.

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