Senior Project Assistant (G6)

Background:

This is an extra-budgetary post with a duration until 27 September 2025, with a possibility of an extension, pending the availability of further funding.

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 (TNTD), as part of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, plays a key role as the focal point of OSCE-wide programmatic activities aiming at countering transnational threats and ensuring co-ordination and coherence of action across all three OSCE dimensions, among all executive structures while respecting their mandates. The TNTD comprises the Co-ordination Cell (CC), the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU), the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU).

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 post is located in the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU) within the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD). It is an extra-budgetary (ExB) post within the cross-dimensional (TNTD-OCEEA) project “Strengthening Asset Recovery Effort within the OSCE Region” that is currently envisaged to last 3 years from 2023 until 2025.

The ExB project under which the incumbent will work is jointly implemented by the TNTD/SPMU and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA). Its main objective is to enhance the capacities of beneficiary participating States to address threats posed by transnational organized crime and corruption through asset recovery.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

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

1. 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;
2. Designing and implementing assigned project activities, which may include workshops, training courses, discussion fora, sessions, briefings, missions, conferences, study visits, publications and related activities in the field of asset recovery 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 the delegations of  participating States, project beneficiaries, internal and external partners on deadlines. Ensuring project visibility is in line with donor and the OSCE rules;
3. 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;
4. 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. Supporting the Associate Project Officer in regular risk assessments and identifying problems and proposing controls to be taken to mitigate or eliminate risks in order to expedite delivery of inputs;
5. 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;
6. 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.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in political science, security studies or law enforcement;
• A minimum of six years of working experience in project support tasks, including on project administration and monitoring;
• Experience in project planning, implementation and reporting;
• Established knowledge and understanding of the developments in the field of transnational organized crime, corruption and, in particular, asset recovery;
• Ability to conduct independent research and collect information from a variety of sources;
• Previous experience working on projects related to asset recovery and the fight against transnational organized crime is considered a distinct asset;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially languages spoken in South-Eastern Europe, would be a distinct 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;
• Digital and computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications; experience with an ERP software is an asset.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is approximately EUR 5,414. 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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

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

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.