Job: Duty Officer

Organization Name: OSCE Secretariat

Location: Vienna,AT

Grade: G5

Closing Date of application: 12-11-2013

No. of Posts: 1

Background

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting 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. In particular, the Centre is responsible for supporting the Organization's Chairperson-in-Office and the Secretary General in implementing OSCE tasks in the areas of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post conflict rehabilitation.

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, analysis related to early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation, lessons learned and best practices, border security and management, operational liaison with other international organizations, and maintaining a 24/7 Situation/Communications Room.

The Situation/Communications Room acts as a flexible emergency and crisis management cell capable of responding effectively to a broad range of contingencies and ready to support the Crisis Management Team or Task Force Meetings within the OSCE Secretariat. With a team consisting of 7 members (1 Chief, 1 Deputy Chief and 5 Duty Officers), the Situation/Communications Room carries out 24/7 open source monitoring of events in the countries of deployment of OSCE field operations and other interest areas, acts as a focal point in times of crisis, and provides assistance in cases of emergency medical evacuations.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Situation/Communications Room the incumbent will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Identifying the most significant developments related to the OSCE's three dimensions of security with a particular focus on issues affecting the security situation in the OSCE field operations' areas of operation and other OSCE interest areas;
• Monitoring, screening and selecting information from a wide range of open sources and compiling the daily morning and afternoon briefings detailing relevant and accurate developments;
• Compiling weekly regional summary reports, calendars of upcoming events and special briefings relating to important events such as elections, high level meetings/conferences etc.;
• Disseminating Situation/Communication Room products electronically to the Secretariat, Institutions and field operations, the Chairmanship, delegations of the Troika and relevant international partners;
• Conducting research on specific developments related to the political-military dimension of security and other topics;
• Regularly updating the Situation/Communication Room database, recording TV news broadcasts and updating the Situation Room DVD library;
• Preparing maps and other reference materials relevant to the areas of interest;
• Acting as the primary focal point and 24/7 communication link between the Secretariat, Institutions and field operations and responding to emerging crisis situations or threats affecting OSCE staff and/or property, especially outside normal working hours;
• In the case that a field operation launches an evacuation operation for international staff due to security threats or medical emergency during silent hours, is responsible for informing and liaising with Senior Management as well as providing regular reports/updates and maintaining a written log of events;
• Performing other related duties as required by the Chief or Deputy Chief, Situation/Communications Room.

Necessary Qualifications

• Completed secondary education, further education or training; university degree in international relations, political science, journalism or defence and security related fields or police/military background would be an asset;
• Minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in the fields/subjects mentioned above;
• Experience in a field operation or with an international organization is a major advantage;
• Excellent English skills both written and oral, with good communication skills; working knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Comprehensive knowledge of computer/IT applications, advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, as well as e-mail, Internet; working knowledge of mapping programmes and graphic programmes would be an advantage;
• Ability to work to a shift work roster which involves regularly working in one of three 8.5 hour shifts including evening and night shifts, weekends and local holidays;
• Flexibility and preparedness to work long hours in cases of emergency;
• Excellent physical condition and ability to concentrate at all times, particularly under duress;
• Ability to work independently coupled with a high level of stress resistance;
• Strong judgement and decision making skills;
• 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 a team, to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national, cultural, religious and professional backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, while remaining impartial and objective.

Remuneration Package

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is EUR 3,484 (12 times a year). OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Vanbreda medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

How To Apply

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under http://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. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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.

More Info and Application