Chief, Software Development

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, 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 Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Information Security and Co-ordination Unit. 

Information and Communications Technology Services (ICTS) Section is responsible for the delivery of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in support of the core business of the OSCE. This includes the management, operation, implementation, support, and maintenance of ICT projects, systems, and infrastructure and the delivery of ICTS support services to the Secretariat. ICTS provides corporate ICT services, ICT policy guidance, and support to all OSCE Institutions and Field Operations. The Section consists of four units: Infrastructure Operations Unit, Services and Support Unit, Functional Support Unit, and Software Development Unit. It comprises 34 staff members.

The OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality is committed to further increasing the number of female staff in all areas of the OSCE's work. Currently female staff in the above-mentioned field of expertise, especially in management roles, are underrepresented. Female candidates are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Management and Finance, Head of ICTS, as Chief, Software Development, you will manage the ICTS Software Development Unit (SDU) of six staff. SDU is responsible for the analysis, design, development and maintenance of custom and commercial software systems used in the Secretariat and across the OSCE. The main technical platforms used by SDU are Microsoft .NET, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft SQL Server, OpenText, and Oracle technologies.

More specifically, you will perform the following duties:

1. Managing the support and maintenance of a portfolio of around 50 custom and Software as a Service (SaaS) software applications serving a range of business units and developed on a variety of technical platforms. Technical ownership of key ICT services including the corporate intranet and document management systems;
2. Managing the Unit work plan, prioritizing and scheduling project and non-project activities to maximize resource utilization and meet business needs; 
3. Managing the software development process using an appropriate mix of traditional and agile methods;
4. Implementing rigorous PRINCE2 project management standards on SDU projects. Acting as PRINCE2 Senior Supplier or Project Manager for projects executed by the Unit;
5. Maintaining and developing Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) standards for the Unit and ensuring that these standards are applied. 
6. Negotiating commitments for the team with customers and colleagues across the organization; 
7. Managing the unit's budget;
8. Improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of SDU services; 
9. Co-ordinating development activities with stakeholders across the Organization, including field-based staff and functional experts in fields such as HR, Finance, Records Management, etc.; 
10. Training and developing team member capabilities to improve skills and performance; 
11. Liaising with other software development resources in the OSCE Executive Structures to promote and manage OSCE-wide common software development initiatives; 
12. Performing other related duties as assigned.

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 computer science, software or systems engineering, or another technology-related field; 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 responsible experience in software development, of which at least five years have been in a Project Management/Team Lead capacity;
• A minimum of four years of experience in the line management of software development staff;
• Excellent skills and recent experience in software architecture and business analysis; 
• PRINCE2 Practitioner certification and PRINCE2 project management experience on software development projects;
• Hands-on programming experience and expertise with the key technologies used by SDU: .NET, C#, SharePoint, modern web development; 
• Microsoft SQL Server and/or Oracle database development experience;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be an asset;
• Experience in agile project management and delivery methods (Scrum, Kanban, DSDM etc.) is desirable;
• ITIL certification and knowledge is desirable;
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, Bamboo, BitBucket) is desirable;
• Experience of development for the OpenText Content Server and Oracle E-Business Suite platforms is desirable;
• General knowledge of IT financial management, procurement, and managing vendors and contracts is desirable;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; 
• Ability to set and manage customer expectations and effectively communicate at all levels of an organization;
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, consulting and coaching skills; 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective.

• 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 7,833, 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.