Director of Administration and Finance

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, combating human trafficking, 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, throughout the country and in co-operation with the concerned OSCE executive structures and relevant actors of the international community, to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security; and to monitoring and supporting the implementation of all OSCE principles and commitments.

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

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.

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 nonfamily duty station. This designation is based on the fluid and dynamic working environment in the SMM. The currently prevailing working conditions in the duty station may include working in a hazardous location with extended hours of service, and possibly curtailed freedom of movement. Successful candidates who are appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will receive hazard pay. 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.

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

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), and in close co-operation with the Department for Management and Finance and the Department for Human Resources at the OSCE Secretariat, as Director of Administration and Finance, you are responsible for the overall management and delivery of a diverse range of administrative, and financial support services required by the mission to fulfil its mandate. In further development and planning of these services, you will, under the direct supervision of Chief Monitor, co-operate closely with the Deputy Chief Monitors. These support services include human resources, budget, finance, procurement, general services, information and communication technology.

In executing administrative actions, you must ensure that they are taken and implemented in accordance with the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS) of the OSCE and within budget allotments and available resources. You will serves as principal adviser to the Chief Monitor of the Mission, on all resource management and support aspects of the Mission's activities; and will act as the focal point for the co-ordination of administrative support and oversight with the OSCE Secretariat. You will have to travel within Ukraine occasionally to visit different SMM locations to enhance and support the development of mission-wide administrative and financial practices.

More specifically, your responsibilities will include the following:

1. Providing expert and timely advice and recommendations to the Chief Monitor and SMM Senior Management, on the delivery of the administrative support required to conduct the Mission's activities;
2. Planning, directing and ensuring the provision of the required support services to implement the mandate of the Mission;
3. Ensuring the efficient use of the Mission's human, financial and material resources, effective management principles, policies and procedures in accordance with the OSCE Financial and Staff Regulations;
4. Formulating appropriate control procedures and systems to safeguard the Mission's resources and ensure accountability at all levels; controls and monitors the financial performance of the Mission;
5. Directing the work of certification function relating to certification of all obligations and expenditures in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Staff Regulations and for the purposes for which funds have been made available in the allotments;
6. Under the directions of the Chief Monitor, representing the Mission in inter-agency committees and other meetings on administrative matters; including liaising with local authorities on general administrative issues, in the host country, reviewing selected portions of the local law as they affect administrative and personnel-related issues of relevance to the Organization, seeking legal advice and proposing solutions to Chief Monitor;
7. Performing other related duties as needed and required. 

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

• Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding citizenship of Ukraine;
• Second-level university degree in public administration, business management, law or other relevant 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;
• Specialization in financial and/or human resource management is desirable;
• A minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least seven years at senior management level in an international and/or multinational environment;
• Proven record of effective administrative and operational leadership and management skills;
• Professional fluency in the English language, including excellent oral and written communication skills;  
• Ability to work effectively and inclusively in high stress environments;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to operate Windows applications including word processing and email; experience in Oracle or equivalent systems, is desirable;
• Possession of a valid international driving license;
• Readiness to travel regularly within Ukraine.

• 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 8,559 to which is added Board and Lodging Allowance (currently 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.

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 4 years.

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