Senior Economic Officer (P4)

Background:

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 Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions. 

The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE’s role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. 

The OSCE is committed to further increasing the number of female staff in all areas of the OSCE’s work. Female candidates are encouraged to apply for this management opportunity. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The main purpose of the job is to implement the mandate of the Office with regard to economic co-operation and good governance across the OSCE area; advance partnerships with other regional and international stakeholders; ensure synergies, complementarity, and co-ordination across economic co-operation and good governance related activities of the organization; and enhance added value of the OSCE’s involvement in economic co-operation and good governance activities in all sub-regions as conducive to enhancing overall security and mitigating conflicts in the OSCE region. 

As Senior Economic Officer, you will support capacity building, raise awareness of economic co-operation and good governance issues, and promote co-operation as ways to prevent insecurity and conflict.

You will manage the work of the Economic Governance Unit (EGU), provide advice on policy issues, on project and programme management and implementation issues and the planning and conduct of programmatic activities of EGU, where required in close co-ordination with other OSCE executive structures and/or participating States.

You will report directly to the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities and the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities will act as your second-level supervisor. 

More specifically, you will perform the following:

1. Directing the work and supervising the staff of the Economic Governance Unit, being responsible for the identification and implementation of OCEEA activities to address economic threats to security and to promote good governance. Supporting the efforts of various OSCE field operations in the development and implementation of activities in economic and good governance areas;
2. Establishing and maintaining contacts at a comparable level with officials of international organizations, sub regional initiatives, NGOs and business groupings to exchange information and experience, and to identify activities for joint implementation and ensure co-ordinated programme development and implementation;
3. Drafting OCEEA projects, reviewing and assessing the relative feasibility and impact of proposed projects submitted by Economic Officers/mission members in the field. Providing guidance for the development of agenda items and work programmes for seminars, workshops, training courses and other activities in their areas of responsibility;
4. Writing briefing papers, reports and providing input for speeches for senior management with regard to the economic and good governance activities;
5. Assessing the degree of implementation of project activities of the Economic Governance Unit and resources, identifying problems and resource and financial deficiencies, initiating and proposing corrective or alternative actions; monitoring various potential funds for projects and responses to delegations and management requests for project information, including status of funding and implementation; liaising with the Accounts Unit, CPC and other appropriate departments;
6. Ensuring the inclusion of gender and diversity perspectives in all activities of the EGU and contributing to the development of gender and diversity awareness and an inclusive work environment across the OCEEA;
7. Carrying out other related tasks as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in Economics, International Relations or Political Science, with a focus on economic studies; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes and in conflict situations or related area is required, of which at least some in an international environment;
• Demonstrated experience in project development and management and in team leadership;
• In-depth understanding of and experience in security-related economic issues;
• Experience in carrying out analysis and conceptualization;
• Professional fluency in English, with excellent communication and drafting skills; knowledge of another OSCE language, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender and diversity awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender and diversity perspective in the workplace;
• Ability to establish and maintain external partnerships as well as effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst remaining impartial and objective;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet-based working and collaboration skills required.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 9,400, with the actual monthly salary 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://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 organisation 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.