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 Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

In accordance with the Common Regulatory Management System and the OSCE’s duty of care towards OSCE Officials, the OSCE Security Management Unit is designed to enhance security planning and preparedness and ensure that all reasonable and practicable measures are in place for managing foreseeable security risks. The principal aim of the OSCE Security Management Unit is to safeguard the safety and security of OSCE Officials, OSCE Personnel, Dependents, premises and assets whilst also facilitating the delivery of OSCE’s programmatic activities, in line with OSCE mandates. The Security Management Unit is the Organization’s clearing house on all security-related matters, and is the main technical support mechanism for the Organization’s managers in meeting their security responsibility and assets.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Director, Office of the Secretary General. Reporting to the Secretary General through the D/OSG, the incumbent is the Organization’s senior adviser on personal security and protective services. The objective of the post is to put in place, maintain and implement a coherent security management system in the Organization which meets its duty of care responsibility to its staff and assets.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Office of the Secretary General (OSG), and in close coordination with and reporting to the Secretary General, the incumbent, as the Organization’s Head of Security Management, defines the Organization’s security and safety policy and standards, and co-ordinates, supervises and has oversight of the OSCE Security Management System. The successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Leading the OSCE security management system and the Unit: being responsible for the development, maintenance, ongoing review and refinement of a strategy for a coherent security management system in the Organization covering the staff and premises of the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and field operations; being responsible for the reviewing of the security management system in relation to the staff and premises of the Support Programme for Ukraine; defining safety and security policy standards, supervising and co-ordinating the OSCE security management system; and as the Unit being the Organization’s clearing house on all staff security issues, ensuring that the Organization is meeting its duty of care responsibility to its staff;
2. Functioning as a Senior Advisor on all security-related matters OSCE-wide: advising the Secretary General, the Chair and the participating states on all issues which may impact on the safety and security of the Organization’s staff and recommending and co-ordinating response mechanisms; advising and giving direct support to the Organization’s management in meeting its duty of care responsibilities to its staff; and issuing security and travel advisories as necessary to warn and put in place security arrangements to meet new situations;
3. Closely collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the OSCE security management system: in close co-operation with the host authorities and other international partners, assessing the threat and risk levels facing staff, establishing procedures to adequately meet those threats and challenges, and ensuring that the Organization’s staff is aware of national and local emergency/disaster plans and reacing in a proper and timely manner, while also ensuring the host authorities fully meet their security responsibilities towards the Organization’s personnel and facilities; in close cooperation with the Organization’s Heads of Missions and Institutions, developing and putting in place security arrangements for the Organization’s staff to ensure the risk level faced meets the proper balance between the Organization’s political goals and the safety and security of the staff; in close cooperation with the Director of Internal Oversight, developing and implementing security management audits and assessments to ensure management and staff have laid security arrangements in place and compliance is being met; in close cooperation with the Director of Human Resources, ensuring that adequate insurance coverage is in place commensurate with risks involved and establishing hazard pay criteria for those duty stations that present particular security challenges; and developing and maintaining close working relations with partner international organizations, embassies and diplomatic missions, major NGOs and implementing partners;
4. Developing security training programmes: developing training programs for management and staff to allow them function in a prepared way to meet any security challenges they are likely to face in their area of operation;
5. Managing security monitoring and response: coordinating security monitoring and response activities with the OSCE Situation Room and coordinating ExB projects in response to the security requirements of the Organization.

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 security management, law, business management, or social sciences. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree. Equivalent professional qualifications from certified award-granting bodies and from military or police educational institutions including staff college may be accepted in lieu of the university degree;
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in security management at the international organization, national military, or civilian security management, including five years of command or leadership experience, including physical protection and crisis management;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of other official OSCE languages would be 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;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 11,200 with the actual 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.

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.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC000557
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P5
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC – OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Jul 29, 2024
• Closing Date: Sep 9, 2024
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Master’s Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Security
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible