Chief of Policy and Planning

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to play a vital role in strengthening the country’s ability to foster a sustainable and stable security environment, to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s governance, and to encourage its consolidation as a democratic society. The Mission supports political and education reform and works to promote and protect human rights of all citizens of BiH.

As the Chief of Policy and Planning, should you be selected for the position, you will directly support the Head of Mission as the Mission’s principal policy and planning advisor. You will provide political recommendation to the Head of Mission and all Mission senior staff, assess and report on progress and problems in the fulfilment of the Mission’s mandate, goals and objectives; and advise the Head of Mission and the Deputy Head of Mission on all aspects of Mission activities. You will represent the Head of Mission at meetings with other international and national organizations, and engage in negotiations on his or her behalf upon the request of the HOM or the DHOM. In addition, you will be responsible for ensuring that the Head of Mission’s direction is implemented. You will provide first line advice to the Head of Mission on management and policy matters. You will be responsible for the co-ordination of activities of the Office of HoM Programme, particularly in relation to budget-related documentation, ensuring the implementation of sound financial management and budgeting for the Office of HoM.

As necessary, you will represent the Head of Mission on Mission working groups. You will act as the focal point between the Mission and staff in the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC), Secretariat and Participating States providing information and analysis on the full spectrum of Mission activities and the situation in BiH. You will also maintain close links with senior staff of international organizations and diplomatic missions ensuring the HoM is appraised of relevant political and organizational developments that impact on Mission activities. You will supervise the preparation of all addresses and speeches for HoM, ensuring that relevant political and technical information is provided by program staff. You will accompany the HoM on travel in and outside the Mission area as required.  On behalf of the HoM, you will plan and co-ordinate all high level visits to the Mission.  You will be responsible for the efficient functioning of the HOM’s office, co-ordinate all of the HoM travels and review correspondence for HOM’s signature, ensuring its compliance with all relevant protocols.

As the Chief of Policy and Planning, under the direct supervision of the Head of the Mission, should you be selected for the position, you will perform the following duties:

1. Acting as the senior policy advisor to the HoM; analysing political developments and assessing possible implications of political events on the work of the Mission; Advising Mission Senior Staff on the current political situation of the Mission area and advising them in developing concrete responses to issues of strategic interest; Preparing political analyses and reports of the political situation across BiH for the HoM as necessary;
2. Providing verbal and written advice and briefing to the HoM on the full range of Mission activities, including confidential and sensitive political developments, planning, policy, management and security issues;  Co-ordinating the input of the Mission’s departments into HOM’s briefing material, including making appropriate recommendations, proposals and analyses;
3. In providing direction and management to the information, project co-ordination and gender units, directing the Mission’s internal reporting process, drafting, co-ordinating and reviewing all reports for consistency and accuracy prior to their timely submission to senior management; overseeing the implementation of OSCE project design and management standards, identifying  and systemizing best practice, acting as a focal point with the Secretariat on programme related issues, and leading the monitoring and evaluation process for all Mission programming;
4. As HoM’s primary staff officer, ensuring that the work of the Mission’s staff is consistent with the HoM’s direction and guidance and that there is effective co-ordination between senior staff in the Mission. This includes assigning tasks and initiating action; providing direction and ensuring appropriate oversight and follow-up;
5. Serving as the principal point of contact for the HoM with senior staff in the Secretariat and Participating States in Vienna, and maintaining close links with international organisations, bilateral missions and government ministers in BiH. Co-ordinating high level visits to the Mission;
6. Representing the HoM in co-ordination and consultation meetings with Programme Managers and Senior Staff to obtain information for decision-making and for follow-up on HoM’s decisions and guidance; accompanying the HoM to meetings and on travel as required;
7. Performing other duties as assigned.

For more information on the work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-Herzegovina.

• Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding the citizenship of the country of the duty station;
• Second-level university degree in law, international relations, political affairs or social sciences;
• A minimum of 8 years progressively responsible management experience with several years at senior or strategic level including extensive experience in an international organization environment;
• Established clear understanding of the complex political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the role of the OSCE Mission in the country;
• Established strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and unexpected demands;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; working knowledge of local languages would be an asset;
• Holding a valid driving license;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religiousbackgrounds, different gender and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience with 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 subject to social security deductions is about US$  5,944 to which is added Board and Lodging Allowance (currently EUR 113 per day subject to change without prior notice). Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

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 http://www.osce.org/employment.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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/who/83.

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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.