Programme Associate (G6)

Background:

1. The work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) focuses on a range of security issues, from countering terrorism, border security and transnational threats such as human trafficking, to developing the country’s regions, strengthening efforts to combat corruption on all levels, as well as supporting the reform of the justice sector, implementation of election reform, gender equality and building open and resilient societies.
2. The incumbent will be positioned within the Socio-economic unit of the Economic and Environmental Department (EED). The section unit implements projects aimed at assisting the Host State in strengthening export environment and promoting trade connectivity as well as advancing economic growth and sustainable development.

Main Purpose

1. The Programme Associate (PA) acts as a focal point responsible for implementing the programme objective that contributes to promoting export and establishing strong trade connections in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. The PA also supports the implementation of the Export Development Programme for 2025-2028 (EDP 2025-2028). The area of responsibility covers the delivery of project activities aimed at assisting the Host State in strengthening export environment and promoting trade connectivity, raising the capacities of the state institutions.
2. Working with limited supervision, the Programme Associate provides technical support and recommends ways of improvement for the implementation of the programme/project and collaboration with respective stakeholders by performing skilled, semi-professional functions of substantial variety and complexity that require the application of different and unrelated processes and methods and an understanding of a broad area of operation within the field relevant for the project, including proposing new areas of activity. PA also provides substantive input to project design, planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting of project activities. He/she will thus be tasked to contribute to the achievement of the project’s performance indicators within the components of economic diplomacy and trade relations, as well as facilitating the implementation of the Export Development Programme for 2025 – 2028 (EDP 2025-2028). 

Work Relationships

1. The Programme Associate reports to the National Economic Officer, while the Regional Development Officer acts as the second-level supervisor.
2. Internal contacts are mainly with other teams within EED, the Fund Administration Unit (FAU), the Public Information Unit, the Office of Head of Mission and others to provide advice or guidance related to project administration, including in relation to project documents, correspondence and expenditure, as well as to make administrative arrangements for the implementation of project activities. External contacts are mainly with state partners, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and non-state partners, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Association of E-commerce to coordinate project assistance and to make arrangements for potential joint implementation of project activities. The incumbent collaborates with the international and national experts contracted by the POiB to achieve the programme and project results.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the National Economic Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Assisting in drafting, preparing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects, budgets, financial and narrative reports related to activities of the POiB, in particular, its Economic and Environmental Department; assisting in the identification of national and international experts and other partners;
2. Collecting, registering, reporting and maintaining information on project activities by reviewing reports and establishing and maintaining liaison with partners for implementation, following up on program and project-related issues, including project formulation and provision of functional support to project implementation; in coordination with partners for implementation assesses program implementation and other related issues; report regularly to the immediate supervisor, prepare various written outputs, draft background and briefing papers;
3. Monitoring and reporting on project-related topics utilizing information such as; official documents, newswires and mass media, reports by NGOs and other experts, reports by other international organizations and diplomatic missions, and other sources;
4. Contributing to briefing, training and other reports related to the mission's activities (Spot Reports, Background Reports, periodical Activity Reports, and other reports as assigned), as well as talking points and speeches for the Head of POiB, Deputy Head of POiB, Head of the EED, and supervisor. Drafting press releases and other public relations material related to the work of the EED. Attending seminars/roundtables and other events organized by state institutions, NGOs and other partner organizations and preparing relevant memos to keep the office informed;
5. Maintaining regular correspondence and working relations with state institutions, international and national nongovernmental organizations, and other diplomatic missions;
6. Assisting and maintaining regular working relations with OSCE institutions in the implementation of EED activities and/or inquiries related to Kyrgyzstan and during country visits by delegations;
7. Accompanying the Regional Development Officer, Head of EED and/or other relevant POiB staff on regular field visits and participating in subsequent discussions and decision-making on follow-up action as/when required; preparing drafts and notes on specific issues and topics as and when requested;
8. Arranging the logistical aspects related to the organization of events; providing interpretation and translation when required; maintaining the relevant documentation and filing system.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-bishkek

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in the field of business administration, economics, management, public policy or related fields;
• Minimum six (6) years of working experience (5 years with a first-level university degree or 4 years with a second-level university degree) in the field of economics, business administration or project management; 
• Experience working on project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience working with NGOs or different governmental institutions and international organizations is an asset;
• 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;
• Advanced computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Kyrgyz and Russian languages.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is EUR 1048.25/month. Social benefits will include the possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

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 normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years. 

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