JOB DESCRIPTION

Background:

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project, with post duration set until 31 December 2026.

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 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.

This position is established under the Extra-Budgetary (ExB) project on “Promoting women’s economic empowerment in the energy sector in Central Asia for energy security and sustainability” (hereinafter the project) in the Energy Security Team/Environmental Co-operation Unit within the OCEEA, that is currently envisaged to last until December 2028.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Energy Security Adviser, the Assistant Project Officer will perform the following duties:

1. Supporting project implementation through all steps of the project cycle, by assisting in needs analysis and formulation of project outcomes, outputs and activities, including forecasting of budgets, implementing project activities through participation in the selection and oversight of consultants, implementing partners and vendors;
2. Conducting research, collating, synthesizing and presenting data and information in a required format from readily available sources on women’s empowerment in the energy sector, just and inclusive energy transitions, and broader energy security challenges; designing and drafting supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; co-ordinating the collection and verification of documents, actions and data with substantive or support units;
3. Preparing working documents and background material pertaining to issues addressed through project outcomes and outputs, including spot reports, talking points, concept notes, presentations, agendas, summaries, and providing substantive input to project progress, implementation and evaluation reports;
4. Describing and presenting progress of ongoing project activities, investigating designated project outputs, discussing findings with supervisor to identify implications for the work of the unit, discussing rationale and context of project activities, considering the alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution; maintaining institutional memory or other documentation systems to record programme and project history and ongoing activities;
5. Arranging co-ordination meetings, workshops, training, discussion fora, sessions, briefings, visits, publications and related activities for visitors, missions and counterparts, including provision of guidance and support on related administrative matters;
6. Establishing and maintaining relations with stakeholders; supporting fundraising efforts; ensuring co-ordination of planning and conduct of the project with key partners inside and outside the Organization, project beneficiaries and donors;
7. Performing other relevant duties as assigned.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in international relations, political science, environmental sciences, energy, or other relevant disciplines. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of one year (two years with a relevant first-level degree) of professional-level experience assisting in project management in international/regional organizations in the area of just and inclusive energy transitions, women’s empowerment in the energy sector, or a related field;
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing projects. Project experience focused on just and inclusive energy transitions, and women’s empowerment in the energy sector would be considered an asset;
• Practical experience of work in the OSCE countries, in particular Central Asia, would be an important asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of Russian would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and the internet.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 4,790 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.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment.

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. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

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 7 years.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

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 62 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements