Executive Officer (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities. Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) supports the Secretary General in implementing all aspects of her mandate. This includes diplomatic liaison, press and public information, legal services, gender issues and contacts with international and nongovernmental organizations and with the OSCE Partners for Co-operation. Within the OSG, Executive Management serves as the Secretary General’s personal staff, assisting her with both policy and administrative co-ordination.  

The Executive Officer is a member of the Executive Management Team, which provides advice on political and other developments, including all aspects of comprehensive security policy. It also provides advice and support in relation to coordinated political planning, developing/implementing strategies, and research and analytical activities. The Executive Management Team develops messages and provides strategic vision for speeches and statements by the Secretary General and OSCE Chairpersonship, based on input from the relevant Secretariat units. Team members draft and/or clear all speeches, as well as articles and reports. The Team coordinates and follows up on the implementation of special projects for the Secretary General, and it contributes to outreach to participating States, civil society, academic and research institutions.  
 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the administrative supervision of the Senior Adviser, the Executive Officer provides assistance to the Secretary General, particularly in relation to policy planning, speechwriting, research and analysis.  More specifically, the Executive Officer’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Providing policy analysis, advice and support to the Secretary General and the OSCE Chairpersonship, assisting in the development of OSCE strategies and policies;
2. Drafting and clearing speeches, presentations, food-for-thought and perception papers and reports, both for delivery as well as in written form, for the Secretary General and Chairpersonship;
3. Providing political advice and clearing the key messages and talking points in background files provided by the substantive units for the Secretary General’s meetings and trips; 
4. Screening and commenting on proposals submitted for decision by the Secretary General, as well as the texts of speeches and reports;
5. Editing, revising and ensuring the consistency and coherence of documents provided by the Secretariat to the Chairpersonship and participating States; 
6. Closely following events in the OSCE region, particularly in participating States that do not have OSCE field operations;
7. Assisting in assessing and interpreting major policy issues, procedures and practices to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the OSCE;
8. Co-ordinating and following up on the implementation of special projects of the Secretary General and on horizontal issues impacting the activities of the OSCE;
9. Following up on specific tasks assigned by the Secretary General, Director of OSG and the Senior Adviser and co-ordinating with relevant units within the Secretariat, OSCE Institutions, field operations and the Chairpersonship to ensure timely implementation of required action;
10. As required, accompanying the Secretary General on trips and in meetings and with representatives of participating States, international organizations and other external interlocutors, taking notes and writing meeting reports;
11. Liaising with OSCE delegations and capitals, academic institutions and think tanks, nongovernmental organizations and other external interlocutors; and
12. Performing other relevant duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in international relations, political science, administration, regional studies or another relevant field;
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations work at the national and/or international level;
• Proven analytical skills and the ability to draw conclusions and make recommendations based a solid understanding of relevant issues at a strategic level; 
• Well-developed diplomatic skills and sound political judgment, with the ability to maintain neutrality in political analysis;
• Professional fluency in English and demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; working knowledge of another OSCE language is an asset;
• Excellent drafting skills; prior experience drafting policy-oriented speeches and talking points is a major asset;
• Excellent knowledge of the OSCE and its areas of activity;
• Co-operative approach to teamwork  as well as the ability to work independently; 
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; and
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team and with colleagues throughout the OSCE with different cultural, religious and professional backgrounds as well as different genders, diverse political views and approaches to problems, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity; 
• Ability to operate Windows applications including word processing, internet and other software applications

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 with a modified job description or for a different duration. 
 

Only those candidates 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 https://www.osce.org/participating-states.
 

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.
 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
 

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
 

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.