Head, ICT

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 objective of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is to contribute, in close co-operation with OSCE institutions and other actors of the international community, to reducing tensions and fostering peace and stability in Ukraine, and ensuring the observance of OSCE principles and commitments, thus establishing conditions for inclusive political dialogue aimed at achieving a sustainable transition respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

The Mission is composed of about 1500 mission members, from more than 40 participating States and has a budget over EUR 100 million.

The Administration and Finance Department comprises of the following Units: ICT Management, Finance and Budget, Human Resources, Medical Services, Procurement and Contracts Management and Infrastructure (including General Support Services and Dnipro Forward Logistics Base).

The Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), in line with the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the SMM. We encourage qualified applicants, in particular female candidates to apply for this position.

* Note:  This position is currently approved at the level of P4. The upgrade from P4 to P5 will be proposed as part of the annual SMM budget process and is subject to approval of the participating States. The initial appointment for the selected candidate will be at the level of P4.  

Under the direct supervision of the Director Administration and Finance, the Head, ICT Management, provides general guidance and leadership in the management and coordination of all information and communications technology related matters within the Mission, in co-operation with relevant stakeholders and the senior ICT management team at the OSCE Secretariat. The incumbent will have to travel within Ukraine occasionally to visit different SMM locations to enhance and support the development of ICT services.

More specifically, the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Identifying the ICT requirements of the Mission and maintaining efficient ICT functions and decision making on all issues and projects (related to the initiation, planning, execution and subsequent sustainability) which are owned by ICT or contain ICT elements and commitments; 
2. Overseeing the ICT infrastructure (networks, computer systems, applications, etc.) in the Mission to ensure optimal performance;
3. Selecting and implementing suitable ICT solutions to streamline all internal operations and help optimize their strategic benefits;
4. Supervising, controlling and advising on corrective action on activities carried out by the ICT teams at the Head Office in Kyiv as well as deployed across the Area of Responsibility of the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;
5. Advising and supporting the Director of Administration and Finance on all matters related to ICT;
6. Overseeing the budgeting, costs, short and long term planning of required ICT assets and services during the yearly budget preparation;
7. Managing ICT security aspects of the ICT operations and supervising the work of the IT security officer in line with the OSCE corporate information security framework;
8. Providing leadership and management to the ICT team, ensuring cohesive teamwork and effective communication, contribute to the provision of reliable and client focused services;
9. Managing the recruitment and performance of ICT staff, set up and training priorities and requirements of the members of the Head Office and field ICT staff;
10. Establishing and managing multi-vendor agreements for IT operational services, including outsourcing and cloud vendors, by setting up and managing service level agreements to comply with organizational needs;
11. Designing and overseeing the cost effective ICT capital planning and investment process aligned to information technology business needs; directing multi-year maintenance, repair and replacement programs; reviewing systems on a regular basis, identifying necessary capital improvements and replacement projects;
12. Overviewing the potential use and timely introduction of current and emerging information technologies, undertaking relevant market research and feasibility studies on the latest information technology, performing cost benefit analysis;
13. Working closely with the Secretariat ICT to get advice on aspects of central ICT services and ICT governance;
14. Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, please see https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine

• Second-level university degree in Information Technologies, Computer Science  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;
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of ICT and a minimum four years’ experience as a senior  manager in the area of IT and/or communications infrastructure;
• Experience in an international organization, preferably partly in a mission environment;
• Thorough understanding of ICT principles, processes and instruments as well as organizational and general management concepts;
• Experience as a senior manager in organization wide technology planning and analysis; 
• Ability to effectively communicate technical ICT information and concepts to managers with non-technical expertise;
• Leadership to foster motivation, interest, involvement and team work on the part of staff;
• Gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Effective interpersonal skills, able to influence effectively and build partnerships and consensus, in teams and with stakeholders; 
• Professional fluency in the English language, including oral and written communication skills;
• Experience with IT systems/modules or enterprise resource planning (ERP and Excel).

• 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 subject to social security deductions is about USD 7,259 to which is added Board and Lodging Allowance of about EUR 3,750 per month (EUR 125 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.

Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding citizenship of Ukraine.

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 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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 5 years.

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

If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment.

Applicants are hereby notified that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is designated by the OSCE as a non-family duty station. In addition, all successful candidates will be required to participate in the OSCE accident and life insurance scheme in accordance with the OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules.