Deputy Head, Office of Political Affairs and Communications (S3)

General Minimum Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using a manual transmission;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure.

Field of Expertise Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are: 

• Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science or law or related fields;
• Diplomatic experience or experience working in political affairs with international organizations or governments;
• Experience in preparing analytical reports;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills;
• Knowledge of regional political history and developments;
• Diplomatic and negotiating skills;
• Some knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments.

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science or law or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree. Professional certification in journalism, communications or public relations is considered as significant advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the actual position.

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Experience in the political field, preferably in an advisory capacity, political analysis and/or political reporting;
• Significant experience in strategic communication;
• Experience as spokesperson and/or journalist;
• Knowledge of different aspects of public information, communication and advocacy, as well as experience in development of communication strategies;
• Experience in developing and leading country-wide public information campaigns, including impactful offline and online outreach with social media in focus;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with proven ability to prepare news-related documents, social media posts, press releases, statements, speeches, feature stories, factsheets, and analytical reports in a clear, understandable and concise way;
• Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local context; ability to communicate professionally and diplomatically with high level officials and media personnel;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications and familiarity with information technology, including Internet, Intranet, digital photography and video;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, gender diversity and varying political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and within limited timeframe. 

Desirable:

• Previous working experience in South East Europe;
• Background and experience in international missions and/or foreign news assignments;
• Ability to understand and speak at least one of the local languages;
• Knowledge and experience with media policy issues, media legislation and regulation, media markets, professional standards for media, media analysis or media development;
• Experience in designing and managing media projects.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head, Office of Political Affairs and Communication and overall supervision of the Head of Mission, the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Advising the Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission on all media-related issues, including overall media strategy, media lines and arrangement of press appearances, social media trends and engagement data, and other issues related to the public and media profile of the Mission;
2. Overseeing the development, monitoring and evaluation of a comprehensive media and communications strategy in line with the Mission goals. In coordination with HOM, designing a crisis communication strategy, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders within the Mission are aware and able to act accordingly if necessary;
3. Analyzing political and media trends and alerts and advises Head of OPAC on emerging topics. Analyzing risks, developing mitigation strategies and suggesting defensive lines for senior management;
4. Overseeing the production and delivery of press releases, statements, talking points, speeches, lines to take for press and social media community management interviews or similar for HOM and senior management;
5. Developing contacts and managing relations with international and local journalists, pS embassy staff and Media Officers from international organizations in the country. Representing the Mission in meetings, conferences, workshops and events; Conceiving, issuing, and following up on press statements and communication in order to build public support for Mission policies and goals;
6. Co-ordinating the creation, ensuring quality check and reviewing original text, graphic and audio-visual content for Mission needs. Overseeing the management of social media channels, analyzing community engagement, and streamlining Mission’s social media utilization in coordination with the programmatic departments and Office of the Head of Mission;
7. Participating in data collection, analysis, report writing, editing and clearance procedures for the political side of OPAC;
8. Managing one international staff, two national communications officers and four national political and reporting officers;
9. Performing other duties as required.
       

For more detailed information on the work of OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see www.osce.org/skopje

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

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/ourcompetencymodel.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. 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