Deputy Director, Head of Mission Support Section (P5)

Background:

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 Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions. 

The Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Information Security and Co-ordination Unit.  

Mission Support Section (MSS) provides the working framework for OSCE's procurement and contracting assets, logistics, transport, travel and facilities management activities. It also acts as the policy development and co-ordination point for resource administration in the OSCE's Executive Structures in relation to these activities, including providing on-site assistance and technical training programmes.
 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Director for Management and Finance (D/DMF), as Deputy Director, Head of  Mission Support Section (MSS), you will be responsible for the following: 

1. Contributing to the formulation of management policy and conceptual frameworks that guide analysis; seeking continuous improvement of the Financial Administrative Instructions (FAI) to ensure that they remain relevant to the needs of the Organization;
2. Contributing to the development of corporate supply chain strategy and operational strategies, as well as in adjusting business strategy and management reform;
3. Leading operational planning and management focusing on agility, productivity, and results, ensuring delivery of high quality and client-focused corporate services;  
4. Co-ordinating and overseeing the preparation of relevant management reports, providing high quality and relevant management reports to D/DMF, and through D/DMF to the Secretary General and relevant policy organs that support effective decision-making;
5. Overseeing the preparation of work programmes and budgets, assigning and monitoring performance parameters, and reporting on budget/programme performance; 
6. Providing programmatic/substantive policy and operationally related drafts and reviewing the production of substantive documents prepared by others;
7. Setting and redefining priorities within her/his area of responsibility to increase logistics services response capacity to internal and external demands;
8. Evaluating financial impact of decisions affecting the Common Operational Cost (CoC) Budget and developing strategies to address financial resource issues;
9. Determining priorities and allocating financial and human resources consistent with goals, priorities and budget; translating business opportunities into concrete measures and preparing and leading negotiations to achieve organizational objectives;
10. Leading the provision of client-focused technical and managerial advice, assistance and support to the Secretariat, Field Operations and Institutions, as necessary;
11. Organizing staff and activities and building high performing teams with complementary skills; providing evaluation of staff performance; recruiting staff and fostering teamwork and communication among staff across organizational boundaries;
12. Co-ordinating advisory services to the Secretariat Fund Materials Management Committee (SEC FMMC) and the Organization Materials Management Committee (OMMC), as appropriate; providing guidance to all other FMMCs within the Organization; 
13. Representing DMF in the Secretariat Crisis Management Group; participating in other governance forums such as the OSCE IT Steering Committee, as designated by D/DMF;
14. Assuming lead responsibility for Project Management tasks as identified and assigned by D/DMF; 
15. Carrying out other related duties as assigned, including deputizing for D/DMF. 

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 business administration, finance, management or a related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• Certification in procurement, assets, logistics management or audit management experiences would be an asset;
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in procurement, supply chain management or in management, engineering or technical experience at a senior management and policy-making level in an international corporate environment (international organization, public or private sector) is required; 
• Experience in capital expenditure planning is required;  
• Operational experience including the planning, development, and implementation of field activities is desirable; 
• Financial management expertise is an asset;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of another OSCE official language is desirable; 
• Computer literate with practical experience in web-based ERP Microsoft applications;
• 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 team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 9,300, 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.

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 5 years.

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