Assistant Project Officer (P1)

Background:

Please note that this is an extra-budgetary position with the duration from as soon as possible until 30 April 2025.

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 Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) is the focal point for co-ordinating and facilitating OSCE anti-terrorism activities. The Department contributes to the implementation of the OSCE’s counter-terrorism commitments by providing support to the Chairperson-in-Office, the Secretary General and the participating States on anti-terrorism matters and by enhancing co-ordination within the OSCE on related issues. 

TNTD/ATU also assists participating States with implementing their relevant commitments in this area, as defined by relevant decisions, and acts on requests from participating States to assist in enhancing their capacities to respond to current and emerging terrorist threats. TNTD/ATU supports the work of relevant UN bodies and enhances co-operation with external partners and other regional organizations in preventing and countering terrorism. TNTD/ATU currently comprises 10 staff members.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Supporting Project PROTECT’s implementation through all steps of the project cycle, by assisting in needs analysis and formulation of project outcomes, outputs and activities, including forecasting of budgets, implementing project activities through participation in the selection and oversight of consultants, implementing partners and vendors;
2. Conducting research, collating, synthesizing and presenting data and information in a required format from readily available sources for an assigned sector, area or country; designing and drafting supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; co-ordinating the collection and verification of documents, actions and data with substantive or support units assembling and editing basic data required for planning and negotiation, in format dictated by agenda or supervisor’s instructions checking project documents for clarity, consistency and completeness;
3. Preparing working documents and background material pertaining to issues addressed through project outcomes and outputs, including spot reports, talking points, concept notes, agendas, summaries, and providing substantive input to project progress, implementation and evaluation reports;
4. Describing and presenting progress of ongoing Project PROTECT’s activities, investigating designated project outputs, discussing findings with supervisor to identify implications for the work of the unit, discussing rationale and context of project activities, considering the alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution; maintaining institutional memory or other documentation systems to record programme and project history and ongoing activities;
5. Arranging co-ordination meetings, workshops, training, discussion fora, sessions, briefings, visits, publications and related activities for visitors, missions and counterparts, including provision of guidance on related administrative matters;
6. Establishing and maintaining relations with stakeholders; ensuring co-ordination of planning and conduct of the project with key partners inside and outside the Organization, project beneficiaries and donors;
7. Performing other related duties as required.    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit, please see: https://www.osce.org/ 

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in political science, international relations or a related field;
• A minimum of two years of professional-level experience in international relations, international security, political affairs and/or counter-terrorism preferably in an international environment;
• Recognized project management certification (i.e. PRINCE2 Foundation or similar) is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing projects;
• Knowledge of resource mobilization and fundraising concepts and principles;
• Proven knowledge of international security, international relations, political affairs and/or counter-terrorism;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of Russian or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 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 Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 4,800, 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 XXX years.

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