Executive Officer (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.
 
Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

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 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 Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of her/his mandate and specific tasks given to her/him by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in her/his activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the 
Chairman-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Adviser, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Liaising with departments and offices across the OSCE Secretariat;

2. Co-ordinating policy analysis, advice and support to the Secretary General, Director of OSG and the OSCE Chairmanship, assisting in the development of OSCE strategies and policies;

3. Co-ordinating, drafting and reviewing speeches, presentations, food-for-thought and perception papers and reports, both for delivery as well as in written form, for the Secretary General and Chairmanship;

4. Providing political advice and reviewing the key messages and talking points in background files provided by the substantive units for the Secretary General’s meetings and trips; 

5. Screening proposals submitted for decision by the Secretary General, as well as the texts of speeches and reports;

6. Editing, revising and ensuring the consistency and coherence of documents provided by the Secretariat to the Chairmanship and participating States;

7. Closely following events in the OSCE region, particularly in participating States that do not have OSCE field operations;

8. Assisting in assessing and interpreting major policy issues, procedures and practices to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the OSCE;

9. Co-ordinating and following up on the implementation of special projects of the Secretary General and on horizontal issues impacting the activities of the OSCE;

10. As required, accompanying the Secretary General on trips and in meetings and with representatives of participating States, international organizations and other external interlocutors, taking notes and writing meeting reports;

11. Liaising with other Executive Structures, OSCE delegations and capitals, academic institutions and think tanks, nongovernmental organizations and other external interlocutors;

12. Performing other relevant duties as assigned.
        

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in international relations, political science, administration, regional studies or another related subject; second-level universtiy degree is an asset;
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations work at the national and/or international level performing cabinet-type functions, 
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of another OSCE language is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

 
Only those candidates 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 the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

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

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.