Senior Politico-Military Officer

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

• Second-level university degree in international studies, diplomacy, military or police affairs, political science or law, public policy or public administration, or related fields
• Significant experience in politico-military relations with international organizations or governments
• Ability to compile and analyze information of a politico-military nature
• Knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree in a relevant field; advanced degree is an asset.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Significant working experience in one of the following fields: security sector governance and reform (SSG/R), cybersecurity and/or countering cybercrime, border management, police reform, countering terrorism and/or violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT);
• Relevant experience in the areas of political dialogue with government, political parties, and civil society;
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication, team working and interpersonal skills;
• Experience in negotiating, communicating and liaising with government officials and institutions, incl. military authorities and/or law enforcement agencies, as well as political institutions;
• Previous significant experience in analyzing, reporting and communicating on politico-military developments;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with people of different cultural, ethnic, religious and political backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender sensitivity;
• Ability to work independently or under minimum supervision;
• Experience of working in a programmatic/strategic planning role using a results-based management approach;
• Professional fluency in English and the ability to draft documents clearly and concisely;
• Confident/demonstrated communication and analytical skills;
• Cultural sensitivity and judgment; Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure in a deadline-driven environment;
• Proven experience in project management (planning, designing, budgeting, management, evaluation);
• Staff management experience and team-building ability.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in Central Asia and/or knowledge of the region's political history;
• Working knowledge of Russian and/or Kazakh language would be an advantage;
• Working experience in field missions.

Under the general direction and supervision of the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan (HoO) and direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Office (DHoO), the incumbent in this middle management role will provide support and advice to the Head of Office on all major politico-military issues. Specifically, the Senior Politico-Military Officer performs the following duties:

1. Managing the Politico-Military dimension (PMD) and providing direction to activities in accordance with the mandate of the POiN;
2. Informing senior management of political priorities, identifying priority projects and important cross-departmental issues, participating in and contributing to planning initiatives of the Office;
3. Developing, proposing or implementing strategies, concepts and approaches to meet new challenges, preparing detailed proposals on programmatic issues related to the priorities of the Office;
4. Compiling, preparing and submitting the Office regular/annual/monthly/periodic reports to the OSCE Secretariat and institutions, on request and approval by senior management.
5. Preparing and disseminating information about the OSCE and its activities to local and international media, including OSCE press releases and news items, on request and approval by senior management;
6. Co-ordinating co-operation and work on major politico-military issues with national parliament, government, regional and local authorities, non-governmental organizations, political parties/entities, communities, universities and research institutions, media and international stakeholders; participating in inter-agency meetings and advising on political and security issues of common concern;
7. Co-ordinating and monitoring the development and implementation of politico-military activities and projects related to Office priorities as defined by HoO; 
8. Supervising and analyzing reports in the field of political and military/security developments;
9. Assisting in arranging OSCE regional events, among other things, regional seminars and visits to the area by OSCE delegations, as well as other events with OSCE participation; liaises with the other OSCE field operations in the region;
10. Coaching and supervising the PMD team of national staff;
11. Contributing to written output, e.g., speeches and talking points (for the HoO), analytical notes, reports and input to reports on substantive aspects of the work of the Programme,
12. Monitoring the budget of projects being implemented and liaises with all relevant counterparts, to ensure timely and accurate payment of expenditures;
13. Identifying and proposing areas for potential programmatic activity; preparing project proposals including budget formulation; implementing approved projects and activities; proposing corrective action to any problems and issues that arise;
14. Co-ordinating and preparing the Programme's Unified Budget proposal established on a performance-based programme budgeting approach;
15. Performing other duties as required.

For more information on the work of the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, please see https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-nur-sultan

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

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.