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 Chairpersonships, 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.

Within the CPC, the Operations Service covers a broad variety of tasks such as operational planning for the set-up, reorganization, and closure of field operations. It provides strategic advice and analysis on conflict cycle issues, including early warning across all three dimensions, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, and peacebuilding. It also contributes to the preservation of key institutional memory through the development and exchange of lessons learned and best practices. It also maintains a 24/7 Situation/Communications Room. In its efforts, it ensures operational liaison with other international organizations.

The Organization, in line with the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Deputy Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre for Operations Service (DD/CPC-OS), you will oversee, lead, and co-ordinate all activities of OS, which comprises four teams: the Planning and Analysis Team (PAT), the Mediation Support Team (MST), the Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) Team, and the Situation/Communications Room (SitRoom). You will serve as a key team member in strategic planning processes. Moreover, the role involves fostering strong relationships, both within the OSCE Secretariat and with the Chairpersonships as well as with heads and deputy heads of OSCE field operation, to promote OSCE efforts related to the conflict cycle and to ensure that the services provided by OS effectively meet their needs.

As DD/CPC-OS, you will hold the overall responsibility for service delivery and team supervision and while working within the broader framework of the OSCE Secretariat and the Conflict Prevention Centre, you will be required to make independent decisions and recommendations to enhance the impact and effectiveness of the Section’s work. This autonomy is coupled with a high level of accountability, as the main impact of the work lies in the ability to provide timely and high-quality operational support that contributes to advancing conflict prevention and resolution efforts within the OSCE area and that effectively responds to (emerging) developments in the OSCE area.

You will report directly to the Director of the CPC/Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat (D2) and the Secretary General (SG) will be your second level supervisor; and you will directly supervise eight staff members.

More specifically, you will be responsible for the following:

1. Managing, directing, leading, and guiding the work of OS, by supervising and guiding the work of the team to ensure a strategic direction with regard to conceptual and methodological support related to the conflict cycle as well as to strengthen OSCE capacities in all phases of the conflict cycle, in line with MC Decision No. 3/11, including, as appropriate, working with the Forum for Security Co-operation;
2. Providing conceptual and methodological advice and support related to the conflict cycle to executive management, the Chairpersonship, and Personal/Special Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office; under the guidance of D/CPC, the SG and the Chairpersonship, carrying out targeted analysis, as required, of issues within the OSCE area of operation; preparing background papers, talking points, briefings, analytical reports, and speeches for the Director CPC, the SG, and the Chairpersonship;
3. Providing operational advice and support to executive management and the Chairpersonship, by directing, guiding, and leading: (a) operational planning and co-ordination in the establishment, restructuring, and closure of field operations, or parts thereof; (b) the operational support provided to existing field operations, including those operating in hostile environments; (c) the collection and analysis of lessons and good practices through the debriefings of field operation senior management as well as after action reviews of field operation establishment, restructuring, and closures. Preparing background papers, talking points, briefings, and strategic and operational plans for the Director CPC, the SG, and the Chairpersonship;
4. Promoting OSCE efforts related to the conflict cycle, by establishing and maintaining contacts with other international organizations and institutions, and by participating in meetings with international organizations and institutions, participating States, NGOs, and academia;
5. Deputizing for the Director of the CPC in the absence of the Director and the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service;
6. 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:

• Second-level university degree in political science, public or international law, international relations, security studies or another related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience at a senior management and policy-making level, including the management of large budgetary programmes preferably within an international organization or national administration;
• Previous experience in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, peacebuilding, mediation/mediation support, implementation of international arms control policies;
• Experience in planning and deploying field operations or their restructuring and closure as well as in-depth knowledge of international military affairs;
• Familiarity with the OSCE and its areas of operations as well as its working practices;
• Demonstrated political acumen;
• Strong analytical, communication, and diplomatic skills;
• Field experience would be an asset;
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment as well as the diplomatic skills and expertise required to deputize for D/CPC and to represent the CPC in international events and with participating States;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of another OSCE language is preferred;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and email.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 11,300, 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 5 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.