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 OSCE Secretariat’s Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization.

The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Information Security and Co-ordination Unit.

The Budget and Finance Services Section is responsible for co-ordinating and supporting the programme planning and budgeting process in general, including providing policy guidance and support to the Secretariat, OSCE Institutions and Field Operations.

The Budget and Finance Services Section consists of the Accounts and Treasury Unit and Integrated Resource Management Unit.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

You will report to the Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit and your second-level supervisor is the Principal Deputy Director DMF, Head of Budget and Finance Section.

As Senior Finance Assistant, you will be responsible for the processing and approval of accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions related to the daily operations of the Organization.

Under the guidance of the Finance Officer, Accounts and Treasury Unit, you will provide technical support and advice to other Accounts and Treasury Unit staff, act as the focal point for monitoring and providing advice and guidance to Institution and Field operations, and take the lead in handling the period-end sub-ledger and general ledger reconciliations or other issues as they arise.

More specifically, you will be responsible for the following:

1. Processing transactions and/or the approval of transactions relating to OSCE’s daily operations up to a set limit.This includes: reviewing incoming invoices, travel claims and other requests for payment, ensuring dual approval authority is respected in any request for payment action, ensuring correctness/appropriateness of account codes used with respect to OSCE Posting Rules, ensuring timely payment of invoices, answering queries from suppliers and staff related to payments and investigating problems which may arise;
2. Under supervision of the Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit, ensuring that monthly periods are reconciled in line with the OSCE Financial / Administrative Instructions and taking corrective action when necessary to resolve issues and outstanding items in a timely manner;
3. Under the guidance of the Finance Officer, Accounts and Treasury Unit, maintaining daily contact with Missions and Institutions Finance Units, to provide advice and support in connection with day-to-day operations.As part of your daily contact with the Executive Structures, being responsible for identifying potential misuse of OSCE funds, incorrect use of OSCE Posting Rules or any other discrepancies in relation to OSCE’s Common Regulatory Management System, and reporting these to the Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit;
4. Providing support to the Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit, for the year-end financial closure process and production of the Financial Statements in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS);
5. Under the supervision of the Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit, maintaining the OSCE Chart of Accounts and OSCE Posting Rules, including critically examining all Chart of Accounts update requests received from Executive Structures for validity, in order to safeguard the integrity and consistency of the OSCE Chart of Accounts.Updating and maintaining OSCE Posting Rules in view of any changes to the Chart of Accounts or OSCE processes and procedures;
6. Performing other duties as assigned, such as providing training, guidance and support to other Accounts and Treasury Unit staff; answering queries from Executive Structures, staff, internal and external auditors when requested by the Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit; participating in testing of upgrades to the ERP system, and carrying out other related tasks as needed.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in accounting, financial management or other field relevant to the work is highly desirable;
• A minimum of six years of work experience in the field of finance, preferably in the public sector or an international organization;
• Solid understanding of the procedures, channels of communication and regulatory requirements of the accounts function, in particular in accounts payable and accounts receivable operations;
• Strong focus on accuracy and consistency, with strong analytical, data extraction, reporting skills, and logical thinking;
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and organize work to meet tight deadlines;
• Experience of IPSAS and their application is desirable;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of another OSCE official language is desirable;
• 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 and with complex computerized ERP systems.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 5,400 (12 times a year) depending on 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.

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.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise.

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.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC000576
• Contract Type: Local Contracted
• Grade: G6
• Job Level: General Services
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC – OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Aug 7, 2024
• Closing Date: Sep 4, 2024
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: High School Diploma / (GED)
• Job Field: Budget & Finance
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible