General Services 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, 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.

OSCE missions and field activities are the front line of OSCE work in countries that require assistance and are the agent through which political decisions are translated into action. Each mission has a different mandate, but generally work addresses early warning, preventive diplomacy, conflict management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the Organization's longest-serving field operation working on inter- ethnic relations, early warning, the rule of law, democratic governance and transnational threats and organized crime.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Fund Administration (CFA), the incumbent is responsible for the administration and management of a diverse range of procurement, asset management, logistical, building management and transport services in support of all components of the Mission, supervising, directly or through sub-ordinate supervisors, the work and staff of the General Services Division. He/she is responsible for providing advice to the CFA on all of the above components of the mission operation and administration system. More specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for:

1. General functions, to include:

• Assisting in all aspects of planning and provision of support tasks including logistics support and technical services required to execute the Mission’s mandate;
• Assisting in policy reviews and formulation of procedures to improve the mission’s resource management and to streamline and/or enhance the provision of support services;
• Assessing staff development needs, developing and implementing a strategy to meet those needs; 
• Supervising and assigning work to relevant staff, monitoring its implementation and evaluating the performance of staff supervised.

2. Procurement operations and ensuring efficient delivery and disposition of quality goods/services at maximum cost efficiency, through:

• Planning and managing all procurement and contractual aspects related to procurement of diverse services and commodities, taking into account local economic and other conditions; 
• Developing standards and criteria for the evaluation of goods, services, supplier capacity, etc.; 
• Managing the preparation of requests for bids, processing of specifications, and other exhibits that may be required in the procurement process to ensure that all actions have been taken and all contracts have been issued in accordance with OSCE rules and regulations applicable to specific processes;
• Implementing procedures of the FMMC in the processing of claims for write-off of OSCE inventory and property, and liaising, as appropriate, with the Property Survey Board based in Vienna.

3. Operation of functions relating to material management and transport, through:

• Controlling funds appropriated for logistic support and material management services, ensuring efficient and timely resource utilisation in the framework of the approved budget, OSCE Financial Regulations, Instructions and administrative practices; supervising the preparation of budget estimates for future financial periods for all object of expenditures controlled; 
• Providing effective and timely planning, management of supply support, ensuring the cost-effectiveness and timeliness of the support provided;
• Managing allocation and control of all equipment and supplies received, stored and distributed by the mission; responsible for maintenance of accurate and complete records with respect to all equipment and supplies received, stored and distributed by the mission;
• Supervising the activities of the Transport Division and monitoring allotment accounts related to travel expenditure; 
• Liaising with the OSCE Secretariat staff on field equipment and supply matters and co-ordinating the day-to-day support of supply operations.

4. Building Management, more specifically managing the maintenance, repair and housekeeping of mission’s premises and outside projects; assigning work to individual service providers, as required; monitoring and evaluating performance; making recommendations to the CFA as appropriate;

5. Replacing the Chief of Fund Administration during his/her absences, as required;

6. Performing other related tasks as requested.

For more detailed information on the work of OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see www.osce.org/skopje.

• First-level university degree in logistics, business administration, management or related field
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience preferably in a multinational environment
• Prior operational experience in one or more field operations with responsibility for administration and management of general support services
• Proven record of effective operational leadership and management skills
• Professional fluency in English including excellent oral and writing communication skills
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft Office applications
• Good communications, analytical and planning skills
• 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 religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity
• Valid driving license

• 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 USD 3,991, to which Board and Lodging Allowance applicable at the duty station is added, currently at EUR 113 per day. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

All candidates must apply online, using the OSCE online application link, found under https://jobs.osce.org.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with modified job description or a different duration.

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 national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds 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.