Adviser on Gender 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, 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 OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions. 

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Document Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, and the direct supervision of the Senior Co-ordination Adviser, the selected candidate will provide programmatic expertise and follow-up in the thematic area of 
mainstreaming gender in OSCE programmes, projects, and activities, in particular those dedicated to economic and 
environmental security. More specifically, the Adviser on Gender Issues will perform the following duties:

1. Providing knowledge and expertise to departments at the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and field operations on the development of a consistent and systematic approach to integrating a gender perspective in their programmes and projects, especially in the second dimension (economic and environmental affairs) of the OSCE’s comprehensivesecurity work and in compliance several OSCE official documents;
2. Assisting OSCE Secretariat departments, field operations, and Institutions in designing and implementing projects and promoting the inclusion of a gender perspective in comprehensive security, with focus on economic and environmental activities; monitoring their implementation within the framework of OSCE standards and the framework of the 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and relevant Ministerial Decisions;
3. Providing technical expertise and inputs on priority issues of gender mainstreaming, including to senior management, with focus on economic and environmental issues and liaising, consulting and co-operating with the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA); 
4. Contributing to briefings, proposals and reports, including the OSCE Annual Progress Report on gender equality, in all areas of the second dimension, while collaborating with all relevant Secretariat departments, Institutions and field operations; 
5. Drafting talking points for OSCE senior management and statements/speeches for the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues with a focus on economic and environmental gender and security issues;
6. Developing and implementing capacity building materials and activities on gender mainstreaming for the OSCE executive structures; 
7. Participating in capacity building of Gender Focal Points and OSCE staff in promoting networking and dissemination of good practices;
8. Promoting the utilization of instruments for gender mainstreaming, co-ordinating and enhancing the exchange of information and best practices on promoting gender equality in OSCE’s work and among the participating States, in the areas identified in the 2004 Action Plan; 
9. Liaising with relevant international and regional organizations;
10. Representing the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues in meetings and conferences, as required;
11. Performing other related duties, such as preparing fact sheets on gender related topics and drafting press releases, as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in gender studies, international relations, political sciences, economics, environmental sciences or other relevant field;
• A minimum of six years’ of professional experience in gender issues, economic or environmental issues; 
• Solid experience in programme management and technical co-operation in bi- or multi-lateral development organizations, including field operations;
• Solid knowledge and awareness of international commitments and conventions related to gender equality, especially the Women, Peace and Security Agenda;
• Proven track record in mainstreaming a gender perspective in programmes and projects, especially in the economic and environmental fields;
• Ability to analyse and evaluate critical matters in the field of gender equality, preferably in economic and environmental issues, and to design strategies to address them;
• Knowledge of the OSCE related economic and environmental commitments and fields of expertise is an asset;
• Professional fluency and excellent drafting skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, is an asset;
• 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.