Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek

Background:

In November 2002, the Government of Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE decided to establish a regional education project, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek (Academy). The Charter of  the Academy gives the Board the authority to “endorse” the Director of the Academy. 

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (the “POiB”) is seeking to engage the services of a Director to be contracted as an international consultant under a Special Service Agreement. The Director is responsible for managing and administering the work related to the activities of the Academy. 

The Director contributes to the Academy’s conceptual development as part of the Core Management Team, with responsibility for the academic programmes and financial and managerial issues.

Objective of Assignment: 

This long-term SSA engagement is required to manage and lead the academic, programmatic and financial activities related to the Academy.

The Director ensures that academic, programmatic and research activities are implemented in accordance with the Academy Charter. The Director will also be expected to liaise with the Senior Planning and Co-ordination Officer on working-level issues related to co-operation between the POiB and the Academy. The Director also maintains contacts with the OSCE field operations in Central Asia and other national and international partner organizations, including the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna. The Director implements the Academy’s MA in “Politics and Security”, MA in “Economic Governance and Development” and MA in “Human Rights and Sustainability” programmes as well as the BA programme in “Economics”. The Director arranges and personally engages in professional training and research projects and other Academy activities as outlined in the OSCE project proposals aimed at supporting the Academy.

Duration of Assignment:

From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, renewable annually subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory service.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek as ex-officio Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Academy, the Director will be responsible for the following duties:

1. General Administration and Management:
   • Implementing the Charter of the Academy within the Director’s competencies;
   • Reporting regularly to the Board of Trustees, OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB), donors as well as the Permanent Council of the OSCE;
   • Conducting daily administration and management of the Academy, ensuring compliance with the Charter, applicable aspects of the OSCE regulatory framework, internal Academy rules and/or national legislation, and funding agreements entered into by the Academy with various funding sources consistent with the Charter including the Implementing Partner Agreement(s) entered into with the OSCE, in close co-ordination with relevant POiB personnel;
   • Overseeing the development of and finalising internal regulations for the internal governance of the Academy;
   • Co-ordinating and monitoring the recruitment, performance management, and retention of local and international administrative and academic staff as well as faculty members, in accordance with applicable laws and rules;
   • Supporting the Academic Advisory Board and assisting the Board of Trustees in their activities;
2. Fundraising and Partnership Development: 
   • Playing an active role in fundraising for the Academy and securing its financial sustainability and overseeing fundraising activities for the Academy's related programme activities;
   • Developing strategies for the future of the Academy, inter alia on educational activities and diversification of fundraising;
   • Monitoring and supporting the preparation of budgets and financial statements under both OSCE and third-party funding arrangements;
   • Submitting monthly activity reports, annual reports and inputs for interim donor reports and other project reports under OSCE funding as requested by the POiB;
   • Submitting project reports for third-party funding, closely liaising with relevant representatives of third-party funding organizations;
   • Initiating and negotiating new partnerships with internationally recognized academic and research institutions;
   • Supporting and further strengthening the visibility and the outreach of the Academy, especially to partners in the wider region of Central Asia in line with the requirements of the Charter of the Academy;
3. Academic Programme Development:
   • Supporting and monitoring the development of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree programme at the Academy;
   • Co-ordinating and supporting the further development of the  existing Master of Arts (MA) programmes;
   • Supervising the admissions process for the existing educational programmes and acting as chair of relevant commissions in accordance with national legislation;
   • Confirming the admission rules as well as the code of conduct and other relevant Academy regulations;
   • Overseeing the accreditation processes of the Academy;
4.  Research and Publication Activities:
   • Monitoring and supporting the various research activities at the Academy and further developing relevant programmatic work;
   • Co-ordinating and supporting the creation of research clusters at the Academy and liaising with relevant partners;
   • Supervising and supporting the multiple publication activities of the Academy and further strengthening the output and regional policy impact of the institute in line with the requirements of the Charter of the Academy;
   • Maintaining existing partnerships and initiating new co-operation agreements and networks with academic and research institutions;
   • Leading educational, research, scholarly and public engagement activities of the Academy ensuring the relevancy and sustainability of the proposed initiatives.

Necessary Qualifications:

• PhD degree in social science, business administration, economics, political science, international relations, education or related field;
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in academia, education and research, of which at least 3 years in a leadership or management position (e.g., department chair, institute/centre director, associate/assistant dean, etc.);
• Demonstrated record of experience in mentoring and supervising undergraduate and graduate students and researchers;
• Excellent communication (spoken, written and presentation) skills, including ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match varying audiences and purposes;
• Strong track record in budget planning and management and personnel and team management;
• Strong track record in representation, partnerships and resource mobilization;
• Knowledge of and/or experience in Central Asia would be a strong asset;
• Proven professional-level written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of Russian would be a strong asset;
• Strong ability to work with perseverance as part of a team as well as independently;
• 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 genders, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

The all-inclusive fee for this Director position/special service agreement is set at 6,800 EUR per month. 

The successful candidate will be granted authorized absence from duty up to 30 days per annum, in addition to official holidays as applicable to the Academy, and up to 30 days of absence per annum for medical reasons if needed.

Upon request, the successful candidate will be included, at his/her own expense, in the OSCE group health insurance scheme. The premiums (currently, approximately 100 EUR per month) shall be deducted from the remuneration fee. The OSCE will bear the premiums for his/her inclusion in the group life, accident and disability insurance. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for securing, at his/her own expense, any pension coverage during the period of his/her service with the OSCE.

The OSCE will cover the travel to and from the duty station upon assumption of duties, upon completion of duties and once during the assignment. 

The OSCE will make all reasonable efforts, in co-ordination with the Government of Kyrgyzstan, to ensure that the successful candidate is afforded the privileges and immunities equivalent to those appertaining to international personnel of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. Compliance with taxation obligations, if any, shall be the responsibility of the Director.

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 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.

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.

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