Call for nominations: Talent Acquisition Programme “Strengthening the Preparation of High-potential Candidates”

Background:

Strengthening the Preparation of High-Potential Candidates

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) of the OSCE is inviting nominations to its Talent Acquisition Programme aimed at Strengthening the Preparation of High-Potential Candidates from non- or less represented participating States. This initiative is funded through Extra Budgetary resources.

The goal of this initiative is to diversify and enlarge the pool of candidates from non- or less represented participating States (pS) for international contracted and seconded posts. The project includes a tailor-made one-week intense OSCE recruitment focused course, enhanced with an introduction in international civil service, thus strengthening the preparation of those selected for competing in the competency-based assessments employed by the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and Field Operations.

Topics covered will include OSCE and International Organizations’ employment principles, thematic clinics on various areas of expertise, the OSCE recruitment process, guidance on completing job applications, interview preparation workshops and gender and diversity considerations. The course will be conducted in English, which will in turn, help participants to develop language skills in the specific context of the OSCE and its recruitment. The course will be held between 14 and 18 October 2024 in Pisa, Italy.

The participating States primarily targeted for this project are those whose candidates may be less familiar with the type of recruitment and selection process employed by the OSCE and participating States who experience comparative disadvantages in pre-selecting and preparing their candidates. Guiding factors, which will be considered for the identification of target participating States are:

No representation for both contracted and seconded categories of staff in the last 5 years, regardless of GDP 
OR
participating States relative representation at OSCE in the bottom third (33%) (5 years) and pS relative GDP in the bottom third (5 years)

It is foreseen that a maximum of 10 participants will be funded through Extra Budgetary resources. 

Candidates will be selected through the following process:

1.    Candidates will be identified, pre-selected and nominated by respective participating States;

2.   DHR will receive nominations and complete the selection process. The selection process, consistent with that applied to all categories of staff, will be based on the following considerations:

a.     An assessment of the relevant education and skills

b.     Relevant professional experience 

c.     Professional level of English and other language skills

d.    Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

e.     Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity;

Particular focus will be given to prospective candidates whose profiles are found suitable for P3 and P4 levels positions at the OSCE.

In order to ensure diverse representation, the following factors will also be considered:

1. The nomination/selection process may consider those who have participated in OSCE recruitment processes previously.

2. Given the current downward trend of nominations of women for Secondments, preference will be given to female candidates.

3. Male candidates with profiles in areas of work where there is under-representation of men will also be prioritized.

Application method: 

To apply, please submit your online application at https://vacancies.osce.org/. The application will be directed to your respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs and/or OSCE Delegation for their consideration. The nomination process takes place in the respective countries. 

Nomination by a respective participating State shall be made on Secondment Nomination Platform online. Alternatively, participating States may submit an offline application form to [email protected].