Head of Field Office (S3)

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 

Field of Expertise Requirements

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

• Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science or law or related fields; 
• Diplomatic experience or experience working in political affairs with international organisations or governments;
• Experience in preparing analytical reports;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills;
• Knowledge of regional political history and developments;
• Diplomatic and negotiating skills;
• Some knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments.

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science or law or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional, experience including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the actual position.

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• Understanding of key issues and principles related to the three OSCE dimensions;
• Sound knowledge of political structures and current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Excellent communication skills including the capacity to convey complex concepts and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion for different audiences;
• Strong analytical, problem solving, advocacy and mediation/facilitation skills;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, with ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a team member and with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity with tact and diplomacy in dealing with both external persons and multinational staff;
• Excellent organizational skills, with ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks and process large amounts of information;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the local language is an advantage. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Head of Field Office (HoFO) represents the Head of Mission (HoM) within the designated geographic Area of Responsibility (AoR). They act as the coordinator for the Mission’s activities at the Field Office-level across the three OSCE dimensions.

Under the direct supervision of the Head and Deputy Head of the Human Dimension Department (HDD Management), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Ensuring the provision of timely political information, early warning and assessment of developments related to the mandate of the OSCE to the HoM and the Mission overall from within the AoR;

2. Ensuring coordination of relevant staff in the FO across all three OSCE dimensions; 

3. Serving as the Mission’s primary political liaison in the respective AoR, including by developing and maintaining key relationships with all key stakeholders active in sectors relevant to the Mission to gather information and ensure appropriate field level co-ordination

4. Providing up-to-date analysis of the local political and social conditions that might have an impact on the implementation and future development of the Mission’s efforts in the AoR and advising relevant HO and FO staff accordingly;

5. Helping to ensure that the Mission’s programmatic objectives and activities align with and respond to the contextual realities in the AoR, including by, amongst others, highlighting potential political obstacles to programme implementation and intervening directly with local counterparts where necessary and appropriate, and in consultation with relevant colleagues;

6. Acting as an early warning focal point in the AoR, including leading the process of developing and implementing the FO Conflict Prevention Plan (CPP). Part-taking in, and supporting, other trust-building activities by analyzing the situation in the AoR and identifying opportunities and prioritizing issues to be addressed;

7. Attending security briefings on behalf of the FO organized by EUFOR LOTs, local police and other relevant organizations and informing both FO and HO staff of the current security situation, as appropriate;

8. Maintaining clear, constructive and effective communication between the FO and HO by bringing issues to the attention of relevant HO staff in a timely manner and by ensuring that instructions and requests from HO to the FO are understood and actioned, in consultation and collaboration with relevant programmatic staff;

9. In conjunction with the first and second level supervisors, ensuring that all FO staff comply with the OSCE regulatory framework whilst maintaining a harmonious, productive and professional working environment;

10. Performing other duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina. 

Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified femaleand male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. 

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.

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.