Head, Administration and Finance (P5)

Background:

OSCE missions and field activities are the frontline of OSCE work in areas 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 in Kosovo (OMiK) promotes human rights, good governance and the safety of all people living in Kosovo by monitoring and supporting the work of local institutions. The Mission, established in 1999, is among the largest OSCE field operations. 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 opportunity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Mission, the incumbent manages the Department of Administration Support (DAS), and ensures that the OSCE rules and regulations are enforced and in line with current and transparent administrative practices. In addition, s/he promotes a performance-based management culture. More specifically s/he will be tasked with the following:

1.    Advising the Head of Mission on administrative policies and issues related to the strategic planning and management of the Mission (OMiK Headquarters and Regional Centres/Offices), the co-ordination of work with the OSCE Secretariat, and the co-operation with international organizations established at the duty station;
2. Informing the Head of Mission of the departmental work plan, the management of financial, material and human resources including procurement, IT and logistics, and advising on projects and programmatic issues elaborated by the DAS; participating in and contributing to planning initiatives for the Mission as a whole;
3. Co-operating closely with the Directors of relevant Departments to optimize administrative services and to provide a functional infrastructure in support of programme implementation;
4. Co-ordinating policy-related issues and important human resources and financial/budgetary matters with senior management/officials of the OSCE Secretariat;
5. Establishing and maintaining an efficient, cost-effective and transparent organizational structure, human resources/budgetary requirements and project priorities for the Department;
6. Directing and being accountable for the resources and activities of the Department, the development of the departmental work plan, the yearly budget proposal and mid-year budget reviews, and management of the staffing table;
7. Overseeing the development and execution of policies including the implementation of the approved budgets; controlling the allotments, providing leadership to senior supervisors of the Department and promoting a management culture through training and discussion; issuing directives and guidelines for cost-effective management of the DAS;
8. Promoting and maintaining effective staff/management relations;
9. Centralizing, reviewing and endorsing training requests presented by programme and administrative units; advising on training needs and resources, and preparing submissions for Head of Mission consideration and approval;
10. Contributing to Mission policies that ensure occupational health; contributing to safety programmes that provide for Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe environmental safety and the overall protection to safeguard the physical and psychological well-being of Mission Members;
11. Performing other related duties as required.

For more information on the work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, please see http://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in business administration, management, public administration, finance and accounting or a related field; additional academic background in political science and/or international relations is an asset;
• A minimum of ten years of senior managerial experience in operations, programme management and administration in a national or international context; experience in an international organization and/or in a mission environment is desirable;
• Thorough understanding of multi-disciplinary issues in international co-operation and development;
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and to motivate staff; an ability to plan and schedule work to be carried out by organizational divisions;
• Professional fluency in English, both written and oral , knowledge of another OSCE language is an asset;
• Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft applications and thorough knowledge of related databases;
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and to respond to emergency situations;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Excellent physical condition;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and the ability to drive using manual transmission is a requirement for this post. New Hires will be required to pass an OMIK administered driving test using a manual transmission vehicle within six months of assuming the post 'and be able to confidently self drive'
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure.
• 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.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration subject to social security deductions is about US$ 7,555 to which is added Board and Lodging Allowance (currently EUR 114 per day subject to change without prior notice). Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Vanbreda medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

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://vacancies.osce.org/. 

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 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 qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 5 years.

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