Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats

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 Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) was created in the OSCE Secretariat as per Ministerial Council Decision MC.DEC/9/11 with a view to ensuring better co-ordination, strengthened coherence of action and more efficient use of OSCE’s resources in addressing transnational threats. It supports the Secretary General in functioning as the focal point of the Organization-wide programmatic activities that relate to countering transnational threats and in ensuring co-ordination and coherence of action across all three dimensions and among all OSCE executive structures, while respecting their mandates.

The Department comprises the Co-ordination Cell (CC), the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU), the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU).

The OSCE is committed to gender equality. This is a senior management role and females are currently underrepresented in senior management grades. Female candidates are therefore encouraged to apply.

Reporting to the Secretary General, the Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats is a member of the senior management team and provides strategic direction for TNTD in a complex and dynamic environment planning, co-ordinating and directing the work of the Department.

As a part of the senior management team, under the guidance of the Secretary General, you will be responsible for:

1. Leading and managing the staff of the TNT Department in  the formulation and implementation of the work programme and ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely, efficient and effective manner;  Assessing and interpreting major policy issues, procedures and practices to enhance the OSCE’s effectiveness and efficiency in addressing transnational threats;

2. Assisting the Secretary General:

• in co-ordinating activities of the OSCE executive structures to address transnational threats with a particular focus on assisting field operations;
• with advice on the full range of the TNT-related mandate, including complex and sensitive issues requiring action;
• by contributing to the preparation of regular reports of the Secretary General to the OSCE participating States on the programmatic effectiveness and progress achieved in OSCE-wide activities that relate to countering transnational threats;
• by representing OSCE executive structures and the OSCE Secretary General, at his request, at high-level meetings and conferences, related to addressing TNTs;

3. Ensuring, through effective people management, a collaborative, enabling and inclusive work environment within TNTD;

4. Contributing to the preparation and following up on the implementation of TNT-related decisions by the participating States;

5. Preparing and following up on regular OSCE Chairmanship, Troika, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and bi-/multi-lateral TNT-related meetings as well as relevant internal regular or ad hoc co-ordination meetings;

6. Co-ordinating work on TNT-related issues with relevant actors within and outside the Secretariat;

7. Leading activities of the OSCE in strengthening co-ordination and co-operation with other interested international and regional organizations in addressing transnational threats;

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 social or political science, international relations, law, public administration or a 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; additional professional training or certification in leadership, management, strategic studies or related field;
• A minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible professional experience in a governmental, intergovernmental or international organization;
• Political sensitivity, mature judgment and strong analytical and negotiation skills;
• Excellent knowledge of the OSCE and its areas of activity;
• Experience in the co-operation and co-ordination of issues related to transnational threats in an international setting and with the involvement of civil society;
• Ability to master a wide range of administrative and political issues simultaneously and to co-ordinate programmes and plans of action;
• Ability to identify and analyze emerging problems and propose timely solutions;
• Ability to provide leadership and motivation;  ability to supervise a large number of staff and to plan the work and manage organizational units involved in cross-cutting issues;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective;
• Professional fluency in English and at least one other OSCE working language, with excellent communication, drafting and editing skills;
• Ability to operate Windows applications including word processing, internet and other software applications.

• 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 10,510, 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.

Recruitment shall be based on a transparent process, subject to open competition among nationals of participating States and without regard to gender, race, colour, religion and beliefs nor to ethnic or social origin or to nationality.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 4 years.

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

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/states.