Director, Office of the Secretary General (D1)

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, 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 Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The OSCE is committed to gender equality. Female candidates are therefore encouraged to apply.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Director, OSG serves as a de facto chief of staff and head of Executive Management. Under the guidance of the Secretary General, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Advising the Secretary General on complex and sensitive issues falling within the mandate of the programme of the Office of the Secretary General, as well as on issues in relation to the functions, structure and activities of the OSCE, including in support of the Chairpersonship-in-Office;
2. Supporting the Secretary General in implementing the mandated activities of the Office of the Secretary General, co-ordinating and managing the work of the OSG and its sections; ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely, efficient and effective manner;
3. Facilitating proposals for an improved horizontal and vertical co-ordination, in consultation with relevant actors within and outside the Secretariat, within the OSG as well as, to the extent of the issues within the scope of the Office of the Secretary General, across the OSCE; co-ordinating regular meetings and consultations with Directors of Institutions;
4. Supervising and co-ordinating the activities of all sections in the OSG, including policy analysis and planning, contacts with international and non-governmental organizations and with the OSCE Partners for Co-operation; assessing and interpreting major policy issues, procedures and practices to improve the OSCE’s effectiveness and efficiency
5. Serving as a primary focal point for assistance to the Chairpersonship-in-Office, i.e. preparing and following up on the regular OSCE Chairpersonship, Troika and bi-/multi-lateral meetings, as well as internal regular or ad-hoc co-ordination meetings;
6. Following up on the implementation of instructions and decisions of the Secretary General and relevant decisions of the participating States; screening proposals submitted for decision of the Secretary General, as well as on texts of speeches and reports;
7. Fostering a positive workplace environment that promotes internal communication, teamwork and client orientation; ensuring that the work of the OSG is integrated into coherent and impactful deliverables; providing leadership on all aspects of people management in the OSG, including task distribution and performance management and development; ensuring optimal management of allocated resources;
8. Performing other related 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, law, history, public administration, or a related field;
• A minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible experience at the senior management and policy-making level, preferably in a governmental, intergovernmental or international organization;
• Extensive and broad management experience, including in supervision of large teams and senior staff and in managing cross-cutting processes and co-ordination;
• Tact and diplomacy; political sensitivity, mature judgment and strong analytical and negotiation skills;
• Knowledge of the OSCE and its areas of activity;
• Ability to manage a large span of control, e.g. to master a wide range of administrative and political issues simultaneously and to co-ordinate programmes and plans of action;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Computer literacy with practical experience using 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 12,900, 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 for this position is 4 years, with an initial three-year fixed-term appointment, which may be extended for up to one additional year. 

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

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 62 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is expected to carry out the contractual obligation of three years. 

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