Job: Policy Support Officer (Caucasus Desk)

Location: Vienna, Austria 
Deadline: Thursday, 03 October 2013 

Description

The majority of positions in OSCE field operations are filled by secondment, which means that individuals are nominated by their respective OSCE participating State. In addition, a limited number of seconded positions are available at the OSCE Secretariat and the institutions.

Background

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) supports the OSCE's activities in the field and is the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

The Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization's primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairmanship on related policy issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairmanship includes background information, policy support and advice, draft decisions, draft statements and summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and Institutions and assists field operations in the Performance-Based Programme Budgeting (PBPB) process.

The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be a member of the Caucasus Desk. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Support Officer and the general guidance of the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service, the Policy Support Officer (Caucasus Desk):

1. Monitors and analyses developments in the region;
2. Monitors the implementation of the mandates assigned to the OSCE field operations in the Caucasus region;
3. Follows-up to ensure timely flow of information among the field operations, the Chairperson-in-Office, the Delegations and the Secretariat;
4. Takes an active part in performance-based programme budgeting process for the assigned field operations including interacting with the delegations of the Advisory Committee on Management and Finance (ACMF), the Preparatory Committee, the Permanent Council and other relevant committees;
5. Contributes to research on selected political topics related to implementation of the mandates of assigned field operations, drafts background papers and reports, and compiles briefing material;
6. Attends meetings and writes summaries, notes and reports for internal distribution;
7. Prepares visits of the Chairmanship and senior OSCE officials to the field operation area; accompanies high-level visits to the region and drafting reports on these visits upon request;
8. Prepares in-house briefings, publications and other material;
9. In co-operation with the Programming and Evaluation Support Unit, reviews extra-budgetary projects from field operations to ensure that these are in line with the relevant mandate; proposes editorial changes and further action, as necessary;
10. Performs other related duties, including participation in CPC-related events.

Necessary Qualifications

• University degree in political sciences, public or international law, international relations or another related field; an advanced degree and regional expertise would be an asset
• Minimum of six years of professional experience in government, national administration or other relevant professional field
• Work in diplomatic service and/or international organisations would be an asset
• Professional fluency in the English and Russian languages, including excellent drafting skills; knowledge of another OSCE working language and/or working knowledge of one of the languages spoken in the region would be an asset
• Excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement and team spirit
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and email
• 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

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found underhttp://www.osce.org/employment.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/who/83.

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. The nomination of female candidates is particularly encouraged.

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

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

More info and Application