Associate Project Management Support Officer (P2)

Background:

Please note that funding for this position is secured until 01 September 2026; extension of contract is subject to funding availability.  

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 Programming and Evaluation Support Unit (PESU) assists the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship in the implementation of the Organization's Project Management framework and standards, in line with the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS) and with the recognized international standards. It is the primary point of contact for the Chairpersonship and participating States' delegations on programmatic and project management matters in relation to the Unified Budget (UB) process, as well as the Extra-budgetary contributions. PESU advises senior management and field operations on implementation of programme and project management as well as Performance-Based Programme Budgeting (PBPB) and co-ordinates all related training and coaching activities (i.e. strategic planning, programme management, project management) undertaken by the Unit across the Organization.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Associate Project Management Support Officer, you will support CPC in exercising its programme co-ordination and oversight role on behalf of the Secretary General. You will provide support to project and programme managers in their efforts to implement the OSCE project and programme management methodology. To this end, you will work in close co-ordination with CPC Sections, field operations, Secretariat thematic Departments and as, and when required, with the Office of the Secretary General, the Department of Management and Finance and the Department of Human Resources, and the Office of Internal Oversight towards the elaboration of OSCE-specific tools and guidelines aimed to provide methodological support on all aspects related to programme management, from planning to evaluation.

You will work under the supervision of the Chief, Programming and Evaluation Support Unit, co-operating with the project and programme managers in the OSCE Executive Structures, providing guidance and methodological support, advising throughout the Unified Budget process and the project cycle and ensuring co-ordination and follow-up in the development, assessment and implementation of OSCE programmes and projects.

More specifically, you will perform the following tasks:

1. Advising field operations and Secretariat Departments and as and when needed institutions and provide support to project and programme managers in the implementation of the different phases of the project and programme management cycles;
2. Contributing to the review and assessment of project concept notes, draft project proposals, draft donor applications and donor agreement from the field operations, the Secretariat programmatic units submitted for CPC/PESU;
3. Designing and delivering training coaching and capacity building on project cycle management and programme management methodology and approach, both at Secretariat level, and at the field operations Institutions;
4. Assisting in strengthening monitoring policies and practices and self-evaluation of programmes and projects;
5. Providing input to and update of OSCE-specific project management tools, guidelines and training materials, contributing to the development of online tools;
6. Supporting internal platforms and formats for sharing of best practices and lessons learnt on project cycle management across the Organization;
7. Advising on and providing input into policy development and strategies to support the enhancement of the quality of project and programme management in the Organization;
8. Drafting various documents, including background papers, reports and analyses; interacting with other Units of the CPC and/or the Secretariat in the development of policy and analytical papers of a regional, thematic or cross-dimensional nature;
9. Carrying out technical review process of draft OSCE programmatic documents (PO, UBP, and PBPR) submitted on a yearly basis from the field operations based on OSCE's Performance Based Programme Budgeting methodology;
10. Supporting relations with relevant bilateral donors and international organizations to ensure information sharing on project and programme management practices. Keeping abreast of donors' requirements in terms of policies and practices, with a view to support extra-budgetary efforts;   
11. 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:

• Second-level university degree in political science, international relations, economics, management or other field related to the assignment. A first-level university degree in the mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• Certificate in project management, project cycle management is an asset;
• A minimum of two years of relevant professional-level experience with a governmental aid agency or an international organization in programme and project management and evaluation methodology and practices;
• At least two years of demonstrated experience in providing advice and support for the preparation of project proposals in line with project management methodology;
• Demonstrated experience in coaching and training delivery capacity;
• Demonstrated knowledge of results-based management methodology and practices, project and programme cycle management including preparation of internal instructions and guidance notes;
• Good understanding of the actors, dynamics and requirements of international assistance, extra budgetary contributions in particular related to conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation and other areas falling under OSCE's mandate;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and experience with enhancing gender mainstreaming of project proposals;
• 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
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 6,100, 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.

Please note that 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.

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.

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.