Chief Human Resources (P3)

Background:

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.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR's assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR's mandate.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the ODIHR Second Deputy Director, the incumbent performs the following functions and duties:

1. Managing and directing the Human Resources Unit, consisting of several staff members, and its budget;
2. Elaborating and advising on overall human resources policy and strategy including gender considerations. Identifying the needs for the development of administrative policies and procedures concerning recruitment, placement, contract entitlements, benefits and allowances, and learning and development;
3. Interpreting and implementing Staff Regulations and Rules, Staff Instructions and Circulars, and related guidelines affecting HR-related policies; reviewing and evaluating applications for exceptions from staff instructions prior to adoption of final decisions;
4. Advising staff members and management on applicable policies and procedures, as well as staff entitlements, benefits and allowances; personnel administration, performance appraisals, disciplinary cases, and complaints.
5. Initiating, maintaining and providing for a regularly updated system of classified job descriptions for fixed-term positions and confirming the level of classification for short-term ones;
6. Planning, co-ordinating and overseeing the administration of the recruitment process for Professional staff (contracted and seconded), GS staff and JPO/interns. Verifying vacancy notices before their publication; pre-screening applications, assessing the overall suitability of applicants; overseeing interview arrangements; participating in recruitment, drafting interview reports; ensuring reference checks are performed;
7. Supervising the preparation and proper implementation of all contracts together with their related benefits and allowances for a staff numbering in excess of 150;
8. Co-ordinating staff training and professional development by assisting the Learning Committee in assessing the needs of staff training and professional development and developing in promoting overall office training and professional development strategy;
9. Liaising with host country authorities at the every-day working level on all matters concerning international and local staff including Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior on pertinent administrative issues concerning ODIHR staff (e.g., legal sojourn of international staff and their households, visas, taxes, insurance, diplomatic status, privileges and  immunities);
10. Supervising maintenance of ORACLE based human resources management information system as well as overseeing the maintenance of personnel reports and staffing tables; produces management reports;
11. Liaising with the Staff Committee Representatives;
12. Supervising the implementation of the Performance Appraisal System ensuring the timely submission of PARs (Performance Appraisal Reports) together with complete file information and putting in place the appropriate changes in the administration of contractual entitlements, benefits and allowances resulting from any staff reclassification;
13. Managing the administration and approval for a high volume of Special Service Agreements each year. Ensuring insurance premiums are accounted for and final closure of purchase orders
14. Performing other duties as required.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in business or human resources management or other related field;
• Minimum of six years increasingly responsible professional experience personnel management as well as experience in a professional development and staff training, preferably in an international organization;
• Management experience is essential;
• Knowledge of English at the professional level is essential; a working knowledge of Polish is considered an advantage;
• Well-developed communication skills and tact in dealing with people from a variety of different national and cultural backgrounds is essential in the job;
• Experience with an integrated Human Resource Management and Payroll computer applications (preferably Oracle), and advanced computer skills (MS Word, Excel) are highly desirable;
• Excellent communication skills, strong analytical and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 5,500 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social security will include participation in the Cigna International medical insurance scheme and OSCE Provident Fund maintained by the OSCE. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

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 7 years.

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