Associate Project Officer (P2)

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 Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE’s activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE’s role in the politico-military dimension.

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is the main OSCE body dealing with the politico-military aspects of security and provides a forum for political dialogue for OSCE participating States. The FSC Support Unit within the Conflict Prevention Centre at the OSCE Secretariat supports the work of the FSC by providing technical support and expertise. In this respect, the Unit acts as a focal point and prepares reports and overviews on military information exchanged by participating States. The Unit also fosters implementation of Confidence and Security-building Measures (CSBMs) and develops assistance projects with regard to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Conventional Ammunition.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Associate Project Officer, you will support the work of the FSC Unit, particularly in developing and following up the OSCE activities on providing assistance for participating States and FSC Chair with respect to stockpiles of SALW, Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA) and dangerous components of conventional armaments. You will foster the implementation of OSCE documents in politico-military area by the participating States, including through the assistance in developing projects and organizing seminars and workshops.

You will provide technical advice on project implementation modalities and the planning and conduct of potential programmatic activities in the relevant field of expertise where required, in close co-ordination with other OSCE executive structures and external partners. 

More specifically, you will be tasked with the following:

1. Supporting the development, administration and follow-up of project related activities, particularly on SALW, SCA as well as on other OSCE politico-military matters by compiling background information and conducting research of requests for assistance submitted by pS, contributing to proposals on further steps to be taken in response to received requests, in particular recommendations on additional consultations of the FSC Chair with respective authority of requesting States;
2. Assisting participating States (pS) in planning and conducting project activities related to SALW and SCA; liaising with and assisting the FSC co-ordinators on SALW and SCA project related issues in organizing and preparing meetings and assessment visits to storage sites and destruction facilities of requesting pS as a team member; and taking part in discussions on identification of ways and measures to assists pS in addressing their SALW, SCA and obsolete rocket fuel issues
3. Upon completion of assessment visits, in consultation with the supervisors preparing reports, compiling recommendations of experts, and assisting the FSC project team in developing detailed project plans and proposals to foster the implementation of the SALW Document and Document on SCA; assisting in providing expert advice to delegations of pS on matters related to fostering the implementation of the SALW Document and the Documents on SCA and responding to queries from delegations of pS on matters related to respective project activities;
4. Preparing an overview of the information exchanged by the pS within the framework of the OSCE Documents on politico-military sphere and assisting in presenting the findings to the delegations in the FSC and also during OSCE conferences and workshops as well as giving presentations at senior level meetings of other international organizations on behalf of the FSC Support; preparing input for speeches by senior OSCE officials at high level meetings and conferences;
5. Writing reports and assisting in drafting and submitting proposals to the representatives of the pS for enhanced monitoring of implementation of the Documents on SALW and on SCA as well as other agreements related to politico-military aspects of security;
6. Studying related documents and organizing seminars and workshops on the implementation of the Document on SALW, the Document on SCA as well as of other OSCE agreements on politico-military aspects of security (Code of Conduct and Vienna Document), identifying expert speakers and other international organizations and NGOs, preparing summary reports and keeping information on any implementation activity; preparing expert presentations on the implementation of the OSCE mechanisms to assist pS in settling their problems on SALW and SCA at seminars and workshops;
7. Performing other duties as assigned.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in international relations or international law, management or a related field;
• At least four years of practical experience in security policy and/or arms control;
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management techniques, preferably with experience in project and programme set up and evaluation;
• Preferably familiar with weapons and ammunition logistics in armed forces;
• Experience in using tact and discretion in interactions with delegates and officials from participating States, national governments, international organizations and NGOs;
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Russian;
• 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 in Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 6,100, 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 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.