Technical Patrol Group Leader/UAV Operator

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:

• Demonstrable organizational skills
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and documented experience in negotiations
• Depending on the field activity's mandate, significant prior experience in relevant fields such as international customs practices and procedures, law enforcement, and military observations and arms control may also be required
• Negotiating experience, preferably in the area of monitoring operations and/or related activities

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

A first-level university degree in political sciences, public or international law, international relations, engineering or another related field; and/or a graduate of police/military academy or similar and additional education/courses in a relevant field

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Minimum of six years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience in an international environment in any of the following fields: aviation or UAV operations, political and security issues, law enforcement, police or military observations, arms control, or communications;
• Proven professional experience in conducting or directing UAV operations based on fixed wing aircraft operating beyond the line of sight;
• Demonstrated understanding of the technical capabilities, limitations and functioning of vertical take-off and landing UAVs (i.e. quad-copters, hexa-copters etc.);
• Demonstrated history of experience in planning field operations and managing small projects;
• Using technical data sets, ability to verbally and visually communicate and interpret trends, day-to-day activities and complex issues to a diverse audience in a clear and concise manner;
• Ability to identify physical and systematic limitations to technical monitoring which are specific to her/his AoR, and suggest applicable strategies;
• Ability to establish contact and constructive communication with local population and officials;
• Proven professional experience in supervising and leading staff in multicultural organizations with well-developed management, negotiation, communication, organizational, interpersonal and leadership skills;
• Proven experience of working in a demanding and constantly changing operational environment;
• Previous experience of working in a hazardous environment;
• Demonstrated conflict sensitivity, including an ability to apply conflict sensitivity principles into patrolling activities;
• Ability to read and utilize maps;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize, co-ordinate and monitor the work of a number of staff in multi-disciplined activities and as appropriate provide advice and guidance to others;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, as well as the 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 religious backgrounds, different gender, and different professional experiences, diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure, within limited time frames and with minimum supervision;
• Professional fluency in English;
• Professional ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and e-mail.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of Russian and/or Ukrainian language(s);
• Background in various types of UAV flight operations, maintenance and operator training; aviation expertise would be an asset;
• Experience in operating hybrid fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing UAVs capable of flying beyond the line of sight on distances of 20+km;
• Background in imagery analysis, production of products based on UAV footage or satellite imagery, and management of a data collection process;
• Background in the use of UAV technology in the context of humanitarian activities and/or peace operations, i.e. post-disaster support or infrastructure damage assessment;
• Experience working with video and photo editing software for presentation purposes;
• Possession of a current valid C class (or similar) automobile driving license.

The Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), in line with the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the SMM. Currently, women professionals are underrepresented in the Operations Unit. Qualified women candidates are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment. The selected candidate will be deployed to Luhansk region.

Applicants are hereby notified that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is designated by the OSCE as a nonfamily duty station. This designation is based on the fluid and dynamic working environment in the SMM. The currently prevailing working conditions in the duty station may include working in a hazardous location with extended hours of service, and possibly curtailed freedom of movement. Successful candidates who are appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will receive hazard pay. In addition, all successful candidates will be required to participate in the OSCE accident and life insurance scheme in accordance with the OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules.

Under the direct supervision of Deputy Patrol Hub Leader and overall guidance from Patrol Hub Leader, as Technical Patrol Group Leader/UAV Operator, you will perform the following duties:

1. Managing the staff of the assigned Technical Monitoring Patrol Group (TMPG) including all aspects of performance management;
2. Leading, coordinating and supervising operational activities assigned to the TMPG; providing guidance in terms of daily patrol planning and execution, flight planning, preparation of reports, training of new UAV pilots, personnel and material assets management whilst in a high risk environment;
3. Developing work plans and weekly schedules for deployment of UAV assets and patrol group members;
4. Proposing and co-ordinating patrolling activities for the TMPG and ensuring that all tasks are completed satisfactory and in a timely manner;
5. Ensuring high quality reporting by patrols, in co-ordination with Operations and Reporting functions in the PH/MT;
6. Regularly taking part in patrols and as directed by Patrol Hub leadership;
7. Overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating all aspects of UAV patrols in her/his area of responsibility;
8. In co-ordination with safety and security personnel ensuring the safety and security of planned patrols;
9. Participating in all after action reviews involving members of the TMPG;
10. Integrating a gender perspective in patrol planning and patrol composition;
11. Ensuring that all members of the TMPG contribute to a professional working environment, identifying and reporting lessons-learned and best practices;
12. Directing and managing the  TMPG according to the mission mandate and planning documents;
13. Ensuring compliance with and proper implementation of SOPs within the assigned TMPG;
14. Co-ordinating UAV spare-part requests and equipment troubleshooting with Head Office Operations;
15. Ensuring all flight logs and imagery are submitted as per Information Management Cell (IMC) and Head Office Operations guidance;
16. Identifying training needs, co-ordinating and supporting the development and delivery of training to build capacity of the technical patrol group members in all areas;
17. Supporting the Post-Incident Procedure (PIP) in accordance with established practices upon request from Patrol Hub leadership;
18. Contributing to periodic Patrol Hub planning and information meetings;
19. Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, please see https://www.osce.o

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.