Finance Officer (S2)

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 Programme Office in Dushanbe promotes the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments, as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Tajikistan within the OSCE framework in all three dimensions. It is involved in a wide range of activities, ranging from counter-terrorism and border management projects to supporting cross-border markets and free economic zones, human rights, media development, and legal reform initiatives.

General Minimum Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure.

Minimum requirements common to all administrative positions:

• Supervisory and management experience;
• Strong interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills;
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Desirable:

• Previous international field experience;
• Leadership skills.

Field of Expertise Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are: 

• Knowledge and experience working with computerized financial systems, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database software;
• Experience providing guidance to staff and advising management on financial operations and risk management.

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

• First-level university degree in finance and accounting, business administration, or economics, supplemented by additional courses in finance/accounting;
• Certification from a recognized professional accountancy institution, such as Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or Chartered Accountants (CA), would be considered an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of six (four years with a relevant second-level degree) years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, budget, accounting, or finance, including experience in an international organization;
• Experience in the use of computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database software;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Knowledge and experience of using enterprise financial management applications (e.g., Oracle, SAP).

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• International mission members in the OSCE are internationally recruited. For the purposes of OSCE Missions (Field Operations) this means that they are hired to work in a duty station outside of their home country or country of permanent residence. As a result, nationals and permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible for international mission member positions. In the case of individuals with multiple nationalities, candidates are still ineligible for consideration even if using another citizenship for application while simultaneously maintaining the citizenship or permanent residence status of the country where the duty station is located;
• Proven experience in managing financial operations, including budgeting, treasury, accounts, and reporting, in compliance with established rules, regulations, and internal control systems;
• Experience supervising and guiding finance staff, including performance monitoring, workflow management, and capacity-building activities;
• Ability to prepare, analyze, and review financial reports, budget proposals, and reconciliations accurately and in a timely manner;
• Ability to operate ERP systems and standard Windows applications, including Word processing and email;
• Cultural sensitivity and sound judgment;
• Professional fluency in English language (spoken and written);
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work effectively as a member of a team with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, gender, and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

   

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of Russian language;
• Previous experience in an international environment or operational missions, in a management position;
• Experience using enterprise financial management systems such as Oracle, SAP, or equivalent;
• Experience of working in the Central Asian region and/or knowledge of the region. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office and direct supervision of the Chief of Fund Administration, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Leading the Finance Unit, including Accounts, Treasury and Budget, maintaining overall control of the Office’s financial operations in compliance with OSCE rules, regulations, procedures, and CRMS, including examining and approving high-value payment vouchers;

2. Developing, implementing, and monitoring financial reporting systems, including monthly reconciliation of Asset, Liability, and Clearing accounts; designing regular reporting mechanisms for budget implementation; assisting in preparing the Office’s budget for the unified OSCE UB proposal; monitoring expenditures; reviewing additional resource requests; coordinating budgetary matters with the OSCE Secretariat, including handling Extra-Budgetary Contributions (ExB); and serving as Focal Point for Performance-Based Programme Budgeting (PBPB) and alternate to CFA for accounts and obligating documents;

3. Preparing draft responses to internal and external audit inquiries and ensuring corrective actions are implemented; analyzing financial risks; developing risk management guidelines; and ensuring compliance with national legislation and internal control requirements, in close collaboration with the Vienna Secretariat to apply best practices from other OSCE missions;

4. Supervising Finance Department staff, including Budget, Treasury, and Accounts Units; monitoring performance; establishing workflows; providing guidance and ad hoc training; and addressing complex issues to ensure efficiency, client orientation, and professional development;

5. Advising on banking arrangements, cash replenishment, and cash-flow management; ensuring timely authorization and processing of cash and bank transactions, including salaries and transfers; and overseeing cashier services to guarantee accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal controls;

6. Preparing draft reports and documents for submission to policy-making organs; providing guidance to Programme Office staff on financial matters; evaluating subordinate performance; and ensuring effective information exchange and support for decision-making on financial operations.

    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: https://dushanbe.osce.org/. 

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

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.

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 open for secondment, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission is seven years.

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.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. 

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.

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. 

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

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