Border Management 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, combating human trafficking, national minorities, and 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 Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), as part of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, plays a key role as the focal point of OSCE-wide programmatic activities aiming at countering transnational threats and ensuring coordination and coherence of action across all three OSCE dimensions, among all executive structures while respecting their mandates.

The TNTD comprises the Co-ordination Cell (CC), which includes cyber security/ICT, the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU), the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU).

The Border Security and Management Unit within the Transnational Threats Department (BSMU/TNTD) is comprised of 6 staff members, and supports OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation to address emerging border security risks and challenges bringing innovation to the forefront of capacity development and training, while integrating emerging technologies.

Under the direct supervision of the Head, BSMU, the Border Management Officer will be responsible for the following:

1. Designing, developing and implementing new and innovative regional and national projects for TNTD/BSMU, and OSCE Field Operations (FOs), to address the most urgent needs of pS border related agencies, and to address serious and emerging transnational threats of a cross border nature;

2. Providing high level expert advice, guidance, and oversight on the Unit’s overall border related programmatic and project work, co-ordinating arrangements with all relevant stakeholders, and providing expert contribution to capacity-building trainings and initiatives on different aspects of border security and management, ensuring that these activities are in line with the respective international and regional legal instruments and OSCE Ministerial Councils’ Decisions;

3. Drafting the Unit’s Unified Budget Proposal, Programme Outline, Programme Budget Performance Reports and co-ordinating activities related to budget and funding; reviewing TNTD/BSMU activities against TNTD programmatic objectives, and reviewing and editing the Unit’s submission of project narrative and budget reports to respective donors, initiating and leading the Unit’s fund-raising activities to support Extra-Budgetary (ExB) projects to include organizing special OSCE meetings and briefings for potential donors;

4. Identifying problem areas in connection with project planning, management and evaluation, and initiating corrective actions as well as co-ordinating border related projects and activities with Departments, Units or Sections of the OSCE Secretariat, relevant OSCE FOs, and with the OSCE Institutions to avoid duplications and enhance synergies;

5. Designing and delivering new teaching techniques and methodologies, and utilize new technologies in the formulation and execution of TNTD/BSMU programmes, projects, and activities, and monitoring internal evaluation of such projects and activities;

6. Developing best practices for the border programme and project management, making recommendations for trainings and lessons learned  in co-operation with the relevant structures within the OSCE Secretariat and FOs;

7. Supporting the OSCE FOs in the promotion, planning and development of OSCE border-related programmes, projects, and activities, including visiting OSCE FOs as appropriate and providing expert contribution to the border related activities of the FOs;

8. Preparing and submitting background materials, speaking points and other written materials as required, for the Secretary General, Co-ordinator of the TNT Department and others; identifying and providing relevant Departments, Sections, Units of the OSCE Secretariat with information on issues related to border programmes and projects, summarizing and preparing abstracts of such information for use by the OSCE Secretariat and the FOs;

9. Establishing and maintaining contact with international and regional organizations, academic and research  institutions with a view to avoid overlap/duplication and to identify possible partners and potential funding;

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, criminal law, international relations, or related field;

- At least six years of relevant professional experience with a national or international organization or relevant non-governmental organization in border programme related fields;

- Experience in programme planning, implementation, management and evaluation, preferably in an international organization;

- Field experience in planning and implementing border-related projects, including customs service, police and border guard beneficiaries;

- Experience with international donor co-ordination frameworks/mechanisms;

- Understanding of the sensitivity of border programme/project activity in the fields of democratization, human rights, security, and rule of law;

- Knowledge of the programme and project planning and management processes of the European Union/Commission is an asset;

- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

- Professional fluency in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills; knowledge of other OSCE languages is an asset;

- Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions or cultural backgrounds;

- Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft applications.

• 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 6,499, 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.