Project Associate (G6)

Background:

1. The work of the Programme Office in Bishkek focuses on a range of security and economic issues, including countering terrorism 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 post is located in the Politico-Military Department (PMD) within the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. The PMD’s work is based on close co-operation with partners in law enforcement, security and military agencies, and uses a comprehensive approach to security, while supporting the Kyrgyz Republic in fulfilling its international commitments related to politico-military aspects of security. The incumbent will be positioned within the Democratic Governance and Youth Unit of the PMD. The Unit implements projects aimed at assisting the host State in promoting parliamentary democracy and strengthening youth capacities for peace and security.

Main Purpose:

1. To provide substantive input to the Democratic Governance and Youth Unit in the implementation of international commitments related to democratic governance and youth empowerment, ensuring peace and security within the OSCE area. The area of responsibility encompasses delivering programme activities aimed at assisting the host State in strengthening its capacity to promote democratic governance and advance the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, as well as the implementation of commitments related to security and co-operation.

2. Working under minimum supervision, the Project Associate provides substantive input to project design, planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting of project activities. S/he will thus be tasked to contribute to the achievement of the project’s performance indicators related to democratic governance, youth empowerment and promoting the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. Project Associate provides technical support and facilitates process delivery in project administration by performing tasks of substantial variety and complexity.

Work Relationships: 

1. The Project Associate reports to the National Programme Officer (NP1), while the Head of the Politico-Military Department (S3) acts as the second-level supervisor.

2. Within the OSCE POiB, the incumbent collaborates with other units within the PMD, Fund Administration Unit (FAU), Press and Public Information unit and the Office of the Head of Mission. Additionally, the incumbent maintains communication with relevant units of the OSCE Secretariat and OSCE Field Missions on topics related to the area of responsibility. The incumbent collaborates with the international and national experts contracted by the OSCE POiB to achieve the PMD programme objectives. The incumbent assists the National Programme Officer in collaboration, coordination and communication of programme activities with state partners, such as the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, and other relevant authorities, NGOs, as well as other international organizations.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the National Programme Officer(NP1), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Collecting, registering, reporting and maintaining information on project activities by reviewing reports and establishing and maintaining liaison with partners for implementation, following up on all aspects of the project, including project formulation and provision of functional support to project implementation; in coordination with partners responsible for implementation, assessing programme implementation and other related issues; regularly reporting to the Project Manager (PM), preparing various written products, drafting background and briefing papers. Facilitating participation of local officials in conferences, seminars, workshops and other similar events abroad organized under the auspices of the OSCE and accompanying them when requested by the PM;

2. Following up on the implementation progress of ongoing projects, investigating designated project activities, discussing findings with the PM to identify implications for the work of the POiB as well as rationale and context of project activities, considering problem identification and problem resolution; coordinating the collection and verification of documents, actions and data; gathering and editing basic data required for planning and negotiation, as instructed by the PM; checking project documents for clarity, consistency and completeness;

3. Preparing project/programme reports, activities and budget requirements for the planning of Unified Budget; planning, coordinating and developing project budgets in close cooperation with FAU; following up and keeping records on project expenditures and overall financial status; preparing Purchase Requisitions and following up with FAU on Purchase Orders, preparing and submitting financial reports for the project expenditures;

4. Compiling general background information from available sources for the assigned sector or area; designing and drafting supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; maintaining proper filing or other documentation systems to record programme and project history and ongoing activities;

5. Attending and contributing to briefings for visiting delegations on matters relating to the POiB`s mandate and other important sectors pertinent to the organisation’s mission; attending meetings relevant to the programme and the area of responsibility and reporting on the meetings content to the PM; conducting field visits and participating fully in subsequent discussions and decision-making regarding follow-up actions on the projects;

6. Providing inputs for all reporting exercises (regular and ad hoc), drafts and notes for the PM on specific issues and topics as and when requested; providing accurate interpretation when necessary for the PM and other international mission members as requested to do so, during official meetings; liaising on the working level with project beneficiaries and implementing partners (both from the side of the government and civil society); receiving visitors and responding to routine requests for information during the absence of other Programme Associate(s) ensuring that activities and communications within the unit is maintained in line with agreed plan, as instructed by the PM.
    

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in international relations, international security, social sciences or other relevant 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 political affairs, democratic institutions or in project management and/or administration;
• The experience in an international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable;
• Experience in project planning, implementation and reporting;
• Ability to conduct research and collect information from a variety of sources;
• Established organizational, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Experience working with state bodies, international organizations, local and international NGOs, will be an asset;
• Advanced computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft Office applications. Experience with ERP software is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English and Russian/Kyrgyz languages.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 1,318.41 Euro/month. Social benefits will include Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 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.