Project Officer (P3)

Background:

This is an extra-budgetary position within the project “Stronger Democratic institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries”, an ODIHR project supported and funded by the EU, that is currently envisaged to last four years. The candidate should indicate the commitment to be available for the whole duration of the project.

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 Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate.

The Project Officer’s post is located in the Democratization Department within ODIHR. Democratization Department works in the areas of rule of law, democratic governance and gender, migration and freedom of movement, and legislative support. Within this context, the “Stronger Democratic institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries” project will  implement activities covering all these thematic areas in EU Eastern Partnership Countries with a view to bolstering systems of democratic governance, based on the respect of rule of law and human rights, increase public trust in institutions, encourage more representative government, inclusive and participatory political and decision-making processed, all of which contributes to more effective responses to ongoing crises and builds resilience to future ones.  

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Democratization Department the Project Officer would be responsible to develop, implement and administer the project by performing the following functions and duties:

1. Locating and analyzing specific data relevant to the project and distilling and synthesizing information relevant to proposed project outcomes, outputs and activities;
2. In co-ordination with the ODIHR Election Department and Chiefs of Units in the Democratization Department, leading the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project by identifying potential programmatic activities; preparing project proposals; defining implementation modalities; forecasting and monitoring expenditures; providing progress reports to donors; and fundraising;
3. Appraising, reviewing and adjusting the project and/or project outputs and activities to ensure consistency with national, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources; formulating and presenting such proposals on the basis of technical and substantive input in accordance with required format for final review and approval; developing schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the implementation of project activities, in consultation with the supervisor, technical, substantive and administrative service units;
4. Exchanging information and negotiating on project formulation and implementation with partner institutions and stakeholders in planning, finance, donor input co-ordination and sectoral functions, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies;
5. Monitoring and expediting project implementation systematically through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive and project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in project reviews and evaluations; utilizing information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions;
6. Organizing and conducting briefings and debriefings on project implementation with special regard for the country and regional aspects, resources and development characteristics, with a view to maximizing project performance levels;
7. Supervising the work of the three Associate Project Officers, distributing workload, managing performance and guiding development. 

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see: http://www.osce.org/odihr 

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in political and/or social sciences, international relations, law or other related field;
• Recognized project management certification would be an asset;
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in planning, implementing and managing donor-funded projects;
• Experience in democratization, good governance and/or human rights, and/or administration, preferably in an international environment;
• Proven experience in interacting with a variety of stakeholders, including senior level government representatives;
• Proven prior management experience would be a strong asset;
• Demonstrated understanding of gender mainstreaming and ability to mainstream gender in project activities and result areas;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of Russian would be an asset.
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 7,100 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee’s salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

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://vacancies.osce.org/. 

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 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 qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

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.

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.

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years. 

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