Senior Climate Change and Security Adviser (P4)

Background:

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) project on "Strengthening Responses to Security Risks from Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia", which is expected to run until 31 December 2026. The initial contract will be from 01 October 2024 to 30 September 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 OSCE'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.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Senior Climate Change and Security Adviser, you will report to the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Environmental Activities. You will lead the Climate Change team and supervise a Project Assistant.

As Senior Climate Change and Security Adviser, you will be primarily responsible for the management of the climate change team and its portfolio, including managing the implementation, planning and conduct of project activities, monitoring and reporting of the project “Strengthening Responses to Security Risks from Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia”. 

More specifically, your responsibilities will include:

1.    Directing the work of the Climate Change team, managing and supervising projects of the team and providing guidance and support to the OSCE field operations in their activities related to climate and security
•    Identifying and developing regional and local climate and security interventions, activities and projects aimed at enhancing security in the OSCE region, in consultation with OSCE participating States, OSCE field operations and other international and regional partner organizations; 
•    Supporting and co-ordinating OSCE activities in relation to climate and security that promote cooperation among countries, conflict prevention and confidence building;
•    Managing the smooth implementation of the ExB-project “Strengthening Responses to Security Risks from Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia” 
•    Ensuring synergies of project activities with other relevant OCEEA activities in the economic and environmental fields and with the relevant work of other departments of the OSCE Secretariat and other OSCE Executive Structures;
•    Facilitating seminars, workshops, training courses and other activities;
•    Ensuring active participation of women and youth in project implementation, supporting gender mainstreaming in climate change and security through dedicated project activities, developing capacity building and networking initiatives targeting youth;
•    Ensuring visibility and promotion of the project activities.

2.    Establishing and maintaining contacts with officials of international organizations, subregional initiatives, NGOs, and OSCE delegations with a view to ensure synergies, collaboration and complementarity
•    Establishing and maintaining contacts with officials of key local, regional and international stakeholders to create synergies and joint approaches that promote dialogue and cooperation on climate and security in the OSCE region;
•    Identifying new sources of funding for projects and programmes, arranging fund raising activities, maintaining relations with donors and mobilize resources in support of OCEEA portfolio on climate and security;
•    Representing the OSCE at relevant conferences and events as requested.

3.    Providing substantive inputs to the OSCE on matters related to climate and security
•    Monitoring, analysing and reporting on policy developments, trends, and emerging issues on climate and security globally and in the OSCE area that might have implications for the project and the OSCE; informing and advising the OSCE Senior Management on major developments, and suggesting synergies/revisions for project activities, including identification and development of new project proposals;
•    Providing inputs to the OCEEA’s policy processes in relevant fields, in particular the Economic and Environmental Forum, Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting and the Economic and Environmental Committee in relevant areas, e.g., by contributing to agendas, concept papers and background material, identifying and proposing speakers and preparing discussion sessions;
•    Preparing reports, studies, concept notes, talking points and speeches in relevant fields for the OCEEA and the OSCE Senior Management, as relevant;
•    Advising on the programmatic development and implementation of the Climate and Security Fund repository programme and monitoring resources under the programme, including resource mobilization, planning of human resources and project development;
•    Supporting the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in the management of the repository programme including through co-ordinating the reporting of the repository programme, preparation of Steering Group and Donor Co-ordination Group meetings, and other relevant events as well as ensuring long-term high quality and sustainability of the repository programme.

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:

• Second-level university degree in international development, international relations, climate change, sustainable development, geography or another relevant discipline; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in the field of climate change and/or sustainable development, ideally in combination with security issues, of which at least some in an international environment;
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and managing complex donor-funded projects, as well as fund-raising;
• Demonstrated policy and advisory experience in the field of climate change and security;
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with politically sensitive issues in a multilateral environment;
• Experience in and sound knowledge of climate change and security issues in the OSCE region, in particular in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia would be a distinct asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of another official OSCE language would be desirable;
• 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 a team, and with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Digital literacy and experience with Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 9,400, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and 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. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

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 63 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.