Project Assistant (G4)

Background:

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project on "Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets" and the contract duration of the selected candidate is until 31 March 2026. 

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 Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions. 

The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OCEEA's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security.

The OCEEA's work in good economic governance is guided by the 2003 Maastricht OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension, as well as relevant Ministerial Council Decisions of 2004 in Sofia, 2014 in Basel, 2016 in Hamburg, 2018 in Milano, 2020 in Tirana, as well as a 2012 OSCE Dublin Declaration. These commitments tasked the OCEEA to engaging in relevant capacity building activities and encouraged participating States to prevent and combat corruption and money laundering. The OCEEA, and its Economic Governance Unit in particular, supports concrete projects and activities through capacity building and awareness-raising events, scoping and advisory missions, as well as activities aimed at strengthening institutional and legislative frameworks. Increasingly, the assistance is focusing on anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing conducted through the new technologies, including cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The primary purpose of this role is to provide administrative and technical support in implementing project activities, including organizing technical co-operation, capacity-building events, supporting process delivery, the development and maintenance of databases, and providing project administration support.

As Project Assistant, you will report to the Senior Project Officer, while the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities act as the second-level supervisor.

More specifically, you will perform the following tasks:

1. Performing general office support services and administrative tasks for the project as arrangement of meetings, event organization, travel and logistical arrangements, research for information and reference material; preparing and processing administrative requests/documents; etc.;
2. Assisting in compiling background materials and draft papers for seminars, workshops, training courses, study visits and other activities related to project work;
3. Preparing and reviewing evaluation forms, pre- and post-activity questionnaires;
4. Assisting in preparing inputs for briefing papers, reports, correspondence and drafts speeches to be delivered by the senior management;
5. Assisting experts and OSCE officials in organizing duty travel related to the project;
6. Compiling and maintaining project files and other relevant information in the OSCE e-storage system;
7. Assisting in maintaining communication with all relevant counterparts and stakeholders, preparing draft letters, notes verbales, and compiling summaries of the meetings and all other relevant documents as per supervisor’s request. Some of the documents may be of confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility;
8. Providing support and assistance in preparation of agendas of events, speeches, information notes, press releases;
9. Assisting in monitoring project implementation against the established indicators detailed in the project logical framework and ensuring that project outputs are delivered accordingly and on time;
10. Assisting in monitoring the project disbursements to ensure financial sustainability of the project and prevent over- and underspending of project resources;
11. Ensuring visibility of project results and of the project partners, in line with OSCE guidelines;
12. Performing other duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat and the OCEEA, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat and https://www.osce.org/oceea 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education;
• Formal training in project administration and or management would be an asset;
• At least four years of relevant experience in administration and/or project implementation; a university degree in a relevant field may be considered as a substitute for up to two years of working experience only to determine eligibility;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 4,040 (12 times a year) depending on 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.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment.

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.