Project Associate

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is the OSCE decision-making body dealing with the politico-military aspects of security, providing a forum for political dialogue for OSCE participating States. The FSC Support Section within the Conflict Prevention Centre supports the work of the FSC by providing technical support and expertise. In this respect, the Section acts as a focal point and prepares reports and overviews on military information exchanged by participating States. The Section 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 and other FSC-related issues.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• As Project Associate, you will provide substantive input to project planning, implementation and management, including providing guidance and advice. You will provide technical support and recommend process improvement in project management by performing skilled, semi-professional functions of substantial variety and complexity.
• You will report to the Project Officer as your first-level supervisor, while the Chief of FSC Support Unit will serve as your second-level supervisor.

More specifically, you will perform the following functions:

• Conducting independent research and monitoring developments in the sector and/or geographical area relevant for the project; collating and presenting data and information that may affect the project and making recommendations concerning approaches as to how to best address the implementation of project activities;
• Designing and implementing assigned project activities, which may include workshops, missions, conferences, study visits, workshop, training interventions etc., by recommending priority activities, liaising with participants, preparing written material for supervisor’s approval, and obtaining the required administrative approvals; keeping track of pending matters and following up with other offices on deadlines;
• Co-ordinating reporting requirements and providing substantive input to progress reports, evaluation reports, follow-up project proposals; drafting concept notes, talking points and background material, with the provision of substantive input and putting documents into adequate style, language and format proofreading documents and editing texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices;
• Monitoring administration of assigned project outcomes, including tracking budget and expenditure, and making recommendations for improvements to the design and delivery of the work processes and practices to meet specific project needs, by focusing on the provision of defined services and seeking opportunities to improve the delivery of the service by collaborating or integrating processes or activities;
• Co-ordinating administrative arrangements, including the preparation of terms of reference and selection of consultants, implementing partners and vendors, administrative and logistical arrangements for in-person, online and hybrid events, such as meetings, workshops, conferences, study visits, missions etc.; developing project databases with references and cross-references;
• Using ERP, initiating and following up on actions related to requisitions, recruitment of consultants, training and study tours, purchase of services and goods, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and dealing with all related inquiries;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in project management and non-proliferation;
• At least six years of working experience in project management support in an international environment. A university degree in a relevant field may be considered as a substitute for up to two years of working experience;
• Ability to conduct independent research and collect information from a variety of sources;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other OSCE languages would be an asset;
• Experience in project planning, implementation and reporting, with PRINCE2 certification an asset;
• Established knowledge and understanding of the developments in the field of UNSCR 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, with biological safety and security in Ukraine as an asset;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet. Experience with an ERP software 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.

Source: https://vacancies.osce.org/jobs/project-associate-g6-3607