Arms Control and CSBM Officer (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an 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.

Please note that this is a temporary assignment for the duration of 5 months 29 days.

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 Chairpersonship, 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.

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is the main OSCE body dealing with the politico-military aspects of security and provides a forum for political dialogue for OSCE participating States. The FSC Support Unit within the Conflict Prevention Centre at the OSCE Secretariat supports the work of the FSC by providing technical support and expertise. In this respect, the Unit acts as a focal point and prepares reports and overviews on military information exchanged by participating States. The Unit also fosters implementation of Confidence and Security-building Measures (CSBMs) and develops assistance projects with regard to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Conventional Ammunition.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior FSC Support Officer, and the second level supervision of the Deputy Director of the CPC, as Arms Control and CSBM Officer, you will contribute to the support provided by the CPC to the FSC, its Chair and participating States (pS). 

Your role is to provide expert advice and support, focused on but not limited to conventional arms control and CSBMs, to support implementation of these OSCE commitments. Your expertise may also be called upon to support forward-looking analysis of such arrangements and development of options for their enhancement. 

More specifically, under the guidance of your supervisor, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Assisting the Troika of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) in preparing meetings of the Forum and represents the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) at the FSC and in its working bodies, as appropriate:
   1.1.    Supporting and liaising with the rotating Chairs of the FSC in the planning and conduct of their FSC programmes, including Security Dialogues;
   1.2.    Conducting research and analyzing the content of documents/papers submitted by delegations on topics relating to politico-military aspects of security for discussion at the FSC; compiling background information and preparing inputs for speeches, briefings, etc;
   1.3.    Briefing as requested the FSC Troika on issues regarding implementation of the Vienna Document, Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, and other pol-mil commitments; and
   1.4.    Representing the CPC at meetings of the FSC and its working bodies and briefing as requested on specific issues related to the implementation of the Vienna Document, Code of Conduct, and other FSC-related commitments.

2. Providing support to the IWG on Structured Dialogue:
    2.1.    Preparing speeches, talking points, concept papers, analysis and policy papers for the Chair and his/her team;
    2.2.    Producing products as requested to support the discussion in the IWG Structured Dialogue or associated workshops;
    2.3.    Supporting preparations for conduct meetings under the auspices of the IWG on Structured Dialogue;
    2.4.    In accordance with the topics selected for discussion, supporting the preparation of background academic papers, reviewing inputs and ensuring timely distribution among the participants of the IWG;
    2.5.    Drafting reports and talking points as requested for the Chair of the IWG; and
    2.6.    Participating in meetings of the IWG.

3. Preparing reports and working papers for senior CPC and Secretariat management on a variety of topics related to arms control, CSBMs, and other FSC-related issues:
   3.1.    Compiling data and writing reports on issues related to arms control, CSBMs, and other relevant topics such as the role of pol-mil tools in early warning and conflict cycle analysis;
   3.2.    Preparing background papers as directed for selected stakeholders such as senior management or the Chairs;
   3.3.    Responding to queries from delegations of participating States on military security topics in the OSCE context; and
   3.4.    Briefing representatives of international organizations, NGOs, groups of visitors and students on the OSCE, FSC and related issues.

4. Preparing reports and preparing working papers for senior CPC and Secretariat management on a variety of topics related to arms control, CSBMs, and other FSC-related issues:
   4.1.    Compiling data and writing reports on issues related to arms control, CSBMs, and other relevant topics such as the role of pol-mil tools in early warning and conflict cycle analysis;
   4.2.    Preparing background papers as directed for selected stakeholders such as senior management or the Chairs;
   4.3.    Responding to queries from delegations of participating States on military security topics in the OSCE context; and
   4.4.    Briefing representatives of international organizations, NGOs, groups of visitors and students on the OSCE, FSC and related issues.

5. Making or supporting presentations at security-related events organized by the OSCE or held by other international organizations, academic institutions or pS:
   5.1.    Preparing and delivering expert presentations and/or briefings on implementation of CSBMs, the Code of Conduct at seminars and workshops organized by the OSCE and other international organizations on behalf of the Secretariat;
   5.2.    Preparing input for statements and presentations by OSCE officials at meetings and conferences; and
   5.3.    Liaising as required with other international organizations, academic institutions and NGOs, as well as OSCE missions and field operations on the implementation commitments related to the above-mentioned documents

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:

• First-level university degree in international relations, political science or a related field; a second-level university degree in a relevant field would be an asset;
• A minimum of six years of professional-level experience in security policy and/or arms control in an international or multilateral context. Direct work on such issues in an intergovernmental process is highly desirable, as is experience working in both military and civilian contexts;
• Experience working in the OSCE and knowledge of the OSCE political-military toolbox is an asset;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; working knowledge of Russian and other OSCE languages is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national, cultural and professional backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective;
• Demonstrated experience in teamwork and team building; experience working in high-pressure environments, including field assignments, is an asset;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at  https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form to the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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 the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

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.

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 well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.