Programming and Project Management Support Officer

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 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 and the Chairmanship; in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and 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 Programming and Evaluation Support Unit (PESU) assists the Secretary General and the  Chairmanship in the implementation of the Organization's Project Management framework and standards, in line with the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS) and with the recognized international standards. It is the primary point of contact for the Chairmanship and participating States' delegations on programmatic and project management matters in relation to the Unified Budget (UB) process, as well as the Extra-budgetary contributions. PESU advises senior management and field operations on implementation of programme and project management as well as Performance-Based Programme Budgeting (PBPB) and co-ordinates all related training and coaching activities (i.e. strategic planning, programme management, project management) undertaken by the Unit across the Organization.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Programming and Evaluation Support Unit, you will support the CPC in exercising its programme co-ordination and oversight role, as well as provide support to the senior and middle management in the implementation of the OSCE result based management and project and programme management methodology, focusing in particular on the aspects related to programming, strategic planning and self-evaluation. More specifically, you will be responsible for the following:

1. Developing and enhancing tools, techniques, guidelines, manuals and training material; designing and conducting high-quality tailor-made programme and project management coaching and training sessions in all OSCE Structures and devising and facilitating workshops, at Senior Management level, on result based management, project management and self-evaluation and strategic planning;
2. Providing substantive guidance on project and programme assessment, monitoring, self-evaluation to Senior and Middle Management in Field Operations, Institutions and the Secretariat;
3. Reviewing the written material produced by Field Operations, Institutions and the Secretariat aimed to advance result-based programming and management;
4. Visiting the Field Operations and Institutions to assist in the planning, conducting and reporting on project management, monitoring and self-evaluations of complex programmes and cross-cutting themes;
5. Providing guidance to external consultants and monitoring their contributions;
6. Representing PESU at OSCE-wide training events organised by the Department of Human Resources/Talent Development  and the Department of Management and Finance/Budget and Internal Control Services or other;
7. Identifying issues of concern and constrains to the implementation of the OSCE standard project and programme management methodology in general and of the evaluation function in particular and formulating and proposing possible solutions and corrective actions in order to support the enhancement of result based management within the Organization;
8. Conducting high-quality assessment and analysis of the OSCE extra-budgetary portfolio and of the unified budget activities for internal and participating States’ consumption and facilitating the development of papers, plans and reports for Senior Management use;
9. Providing substantial contributions to budget and programme performance documents, background and policy papers, Organisation-wide instructions, interacting on regular basis with the OSCE Office of the Internal Oversight, the Department of Management and Finance and the Department of Human Resources or other;
10. Identifying best practices and lesson learned on result based management, project management and self-evaluation and planning across the Organisation and contributes to their dissemination;
11. Establishing and maintains relations with relevant bilateral aid agencies and international organizations to keep abreast and integrate, as appropriate, new methodologies and to represent the Organization as appropriate;
12. Providing direction for assistants and oversees the process of the assessment of extra-budgetary project proposals submitted by the Field Operations and by the Units of the Secretariat;
13. Supervising 1 staff and determining and designating work assignments, guaranteeing the accomplishment of high professional standards;
14. 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

• First-level university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Management or related field; post graduate studies in a respective field is an asset;
• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience with a governmental aid agency or an international organization in the areas of both programming, project management and also in project/programme evaluation;
• Demonstrated knowledge of performance/result based budgeting methodology;
• Demonstrated knowledge of project cycle methodology, both project design and of management of projects/programmes in the context of international development assistance;
• Demonstrated knowledge of project/programme evaluation;
• Good understanding of international development assistance mechanisms, in particular related to conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation;
• Demonstrated experience in delivering training and coaching sessions on performance /result based management and project management methodology is an asset;
• Professional fluency in the English language, with excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team and colleagues throughout the OSCE with different cultural, religious and professional backgrounds as well as different gender, diverse political views and approaches to problems, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and email.

• 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 6,544 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.