Chief, Budget Unit

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, 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 Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Information Security and Co-ordination Unit. 

The Budget and Finance Services Section is responsible for co-ordinating and supporting the programme planning and budgeting process in general, including providing policy guidance and support to the Secretariat, OSCE Institutions and Field Operations. The Budget and Finance Services Section consists of the Accounts Unit, Budget Unit and Treasury unit, and comprises 22 staff members.

The OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality is committed to increasing the number of female staff in all areas of the OSCE's work. Currently female staff, especially in management roles, are underrepresented. Female candidates are encouraged to apply for this management opportunity.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Budget and Finance Services, the incumbent will manage the Budget Unit of five staff and be responsible for the preparation, in co-ordination with the Secretariat and OSCE Executive Structures, submission of all budget-related documents in accordance with the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS) and decisions of the OSCE's policy-making bodies.

More specifically, as the incumbent of the job, you will perform the following duties:

1. Acting as the overall control to ensure that funds are expended as authorized by the participating States; this includes supervising fund allotments and transfers, preparing expenditure forecasts and preparing quarterly performance reports;
2. Drafting detailed instructions, guidelines and technical procedures and calculating standard costs for the preparation of all budget-related documents for both the annual budget cycle and any supplementary budgets; providing guidance to senior management and staff involved in budget preparation and ensuring a consistent approach;
3. Compiling, reviewing and consolidating all budget-related documents for both the annual budget cycle and any supplementary budgets for submission to senior management and delegations of participating States;
4. Developing, implementing and maintaining the budget IT systems to meet changing requirements and to facilitate transfer or recording of information; producing documentation and manuals for users; training budget staff and other budget focal points on the efficient use of computerised systems especially for forecasting and analytical purposes;
5. Attending meetings of the participating States’ Advisory Committee on Management and Finance (ACMF) and other senior meetings to provide technical direction, guidance, advice and support on all budgetary issues affecting the OSCE;
6. Planning, designing, implementing and evaluating special projects such as sensitivity analyses, new budget formats, efficiency studies and policy papers and reports for use by senior management and the participating States;
7. Advising and supporting budget focal points on budgetary processes and the correct application and interpretation of policies and procedures, to assist them in the budget planning, preparation and management process;
8. Performing other related duties as assigned.

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

• Second-level university degree in business administration, accounting, finance or other related field; 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; membership of an internationally recognised accountancy body would be advantageous;
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience at international and national levels in budget preparation and management;
• Experience in supervising staff;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent drafting and communication skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Experience in the use of computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word and generic database software;
• Knowledge and experience of using ERP systems, preferably Oracle;
• Ability to establish effective relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
• Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
• Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 7,682, depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

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://jobs.osce.org/vacancies. 

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 applicants 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 http://www.osce.org/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.

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.