Head, Anti-Terrorism Issues (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an 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 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, 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 Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), as part of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, plays a key role as the focal point of OSCE-wide programmatic activities aiming at countering transnational threats and ensuring co-ordination and coherence of action across all three OSCE dimensions, among all executive structures while respecting their mandates. The TNTD comprises the Co-ordination Cell (CC), the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU), the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU).

The Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) is the focal point for co-ordinating and facilitating OSCE anti-terrorism activities. TNTD/ATU contributes to the implementation of the OSCE's counter-terrorism commitments by providing support to the Chairman-in-Office, the Secretary General and the participating States on anti-terrorism matters and by enhancing co-ordination within the OSCE on related issues.

TNTD/ATU also assists participating States with implementing their relevant commitments in this area, as defined by relevant decisions, and acts on requests from participating States to assist in enhancing their capacities to respond to current and emerging terrorist threats within a human rights framework. TNTD/ATU supports the work of relevant UN bodies and enhances co-operation with external partners and other regional organizations in preventing and countering terrorism.

The OSCE Gender Action Plan is committed to increasing the number of female staff in all areas of the OSCE’s work. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this management opportunity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats (C/TNTD), the Head, Antiterrorism Issues leads the Action against Terrorism Unit and promotes OSCE's counter-terrorism commitments. S/he reports to the C/TNTD, operates under her/his authority, and manages the work of the unit and staff. More specifically, the selected candidate will be responsible for:

1. A strong human rights protection and fundamental freedoms-oriented programming;
2. Providing support to the Chair-in-Office, the Secretary General and participating States on all antiterrorism-related matters;
3. Drafting ATU Unified Budget cycle proposals (work plan, monitoring reports, Programme Budget Performance Report, Programme Outline inputs) for TNT/Co-ordinator’s review and clearance;
4. Giving guidance on the drafting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of OSCE counter-terrorism programmes or projects; identifying possible issues to be addressed and proposing corrective action; liaising with relevant parties and stakeholders, including national authorities and external experts;
5. Following closely developments in a series of thematic areas pertaining to counter-terrorism; capturing best practices and lessons learned and facilitating their dissemination within the OSCE area and beyond;
6. Participating actively in counter-terrorism activities initiated by other OSCE institutions and executive structures, international and regional organizations, as well as other stakeholders;
7. Maintaining close relations with all donors, participating States and OSCE Partners for Co-operation, and designing resource mobilization strategies;
8. Assisting in co-ordinating the OSCE activities with all the relevant international organizations, in particular with the relevant United Nations bodies and structures, in the global fight against terrorism, including co-ordinating sub-and inter-regional initiatives and strengthening co-operation and information exchanges with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, parliamentarians and others;
9. Contributing to the preparation and following up on the implementation of TNT-related decisions of the participating States;
10. Preparing regular reports on OSCE anti-terrorism activities;
11. Managing and supervising a team of professional staff members and assistants in line with the OSCE Code of Conduct;
12. Performing other related duties as assigned. 

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in social or political science, law, public administration or related field; a first-level university degree in combination with at least two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A minimum of ten years of diverse and progressively responsible professional experience, especially in the area of human rights protection, prevention and counter-terrorism; previous international work experience and/or experience with NGOs; 
• At least five years of experience in line management, directing staff in the planning, organizing, scheduling, monitoring, and evaluating programme activities;
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and donor relations;
• Professional fluency in English, both oral and written; knowledge of other OSCE working languages is an asset;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

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.