Project Officer (P2)

Background:

Please note that these positions are funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) projects. The contracts will be issued for one year and the extension is subject to the availability of funds. Selected candidates will be located either in Podgorica, Belgrade, or Sarajevo.

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 Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonships, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

The Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization's primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the SG and the Chairpersonship on related policy and operational issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairpersonship includes background information, policy support and advice, input to speeches and travel files as well as drafting summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and institutions and assists field operations with their input to the budget cycle process. PSS also provides support for the Chairperson-in-Office's representatives dealing with protracted conflicts and related formats.

The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Project Officers are responsible for ensuring coherence and consistency in the implementation of the respective Field Operation trial-monitoring project. 

As Project Officer, you will lead and supervise project staff and provide guidance, oversight, and quality control of work. Reporting to the management of the relevant department in the respective Field Operation and with technical direction from the Programme Co-ordinator in the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, you will serve as the main focal point for the project in the respective Field Operation and provide advice, co-ordination and follow-up on all issues relevant to the implementation of the project. You will be responsible for managing the implementation of all phases of the project cycle including reporting, monitoring, and post-project evaluation in compliance with respective Field Operation rules and regulations. You will directly liaise with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve the project’s objectives. 

More specifically, you will perform the following duties:

1. Leading and providing guidance, oversight, and quality control of trial monitoring teams' work;
2. In consultation with Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) programme staff, preparing and conducting interviews with selected stakeholders;
3. Performing preliminary analysis of data collected through case monitoring and stakeholder interviews;
4. Co-ordinating, reviewing and ensuring coherence in inputs provided by Trial Monitors based on their observation of criminal proceedings; and performing preliminary analysis of data collected through case monitoring and stakeholder interviews;
5. Drafting quarterly project implementation reports, as well as "country chapters" for Inception, Mid-term, and Final Reports;
6. In consultation with the Programme Co-ordinator and the Office of the Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), designing and organizing peer-learning events;
7. In co-ordination with respective Field Operation management liaising with EU delegation on all matters related to project implementation;
8. Performing other duties as assigned to implement the ExB Project.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding the citizenship of the country of the duty station; 
• A minimum of four years of responsible and relevant professional experience in practising criminal law with minimum two years in-practice courtroom experience;
• A minimum of two years of experience in managing team performance;
• Sound understanding of South-Eastern Europe political situation and judicial structure, including the framework pertaining to the processing of corruption and economic crimes;
• Political sensitivity, diplomatic skills when conversing with relevant authorities;
• Prior experience in drafting analytical reports on processing of complex criminal cases;
• Excellent knowledge of international human rights standards related to criminal law, criminal procedure and fair trial;
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and managing donor-funded projects;
• Prior experience with trial monitoring or equivalent experience is an asset;
• Experience working on issues related to the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption cases and organized crimes is an asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national, cultural and professional backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration subject to social security deductions is about USD 4,100 to which is added Board and Lodging Allowance (currently: Podgorica, EUR 113; Belgrade, EUR 150; Sarajevo, EUR 118; per day subject to change without prior notice). Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. 

Please note that 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.

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years. 

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