Senior FSC Support Officer (P4)

Background:   

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 Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is the OSCE decision-making body dealing with the politico-military aspects of security, providing a forum for political dialogue for OSCE participating States. The FSC Support Section within the Conflict Prevention Centre supports the work of the FSC by providing technical support and expertise. In this respect, the Section acts as a focal point and prepares reports and overviews on military information exchanged by participating States. The Section also fosters implementation of Confidence and Security-building Measures (CSBMs) and develops assistance projects with regard to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Conventional Ammunition and other FSC-related issues.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

In collaboration with and under the supervision of the assigned Deputy Director, the Senior FSC Support Officer is a key interface between the CPC and the Chair of the FSC. As the incumbent of the post, you will maintain ongoing communication with the Chair and the Chair’s team, as well as Troika members and Co-ordinators, in order to provide guidance and advice on the programme of work and effective conduct of the Chair’s primary task to guide the work of the Forum in line with its mandate.

You will lead assigned staff to ensure that the CPC meets its obligations under various FSC decisions (e.g., the Vienna Document) aimed at supporting participating States to fully and effectively implement their commitments. This work includes maintaining databases of military information exchanged, reporting on implementation, advising the Chair on remedial measures where necessary. Such support also encompasses the preparation of the necessary documents, presentations and/or briefings to support the participating States in assessing implementation of agreed CSBMs or offering advice and options for improvement of the framework.

More specifically, you will be tasked with the following: 

1.    Co-ordinating and ensuring CPC support to the FSC Chair and the Troika, as well as to weekly meetings of the Forum and its Troika, in order to assist in the effective implementation of the work programme of the Chair, and representing the CPC at the FSC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as in other relevant meetings, as appropriate;
2.    Maintaining a comprehensive overview of all OSCE commitments in the politico-military dimension and their current status of implementation, and analyzing military information exchanged and other relevant information to draft reports and preparing food-for-thought papers on a variety of topics related to confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) and arms control, responding to queries related to the mandate and activities of the FSC and OSCE; briefing senior management, the Chairs and/or participating State representatives on FSC-related issues;
3.    Developing and administering projects related to CSBMs and arms control; organizing seminars and workshops supporting the implementation of the activities related to the FSC mandate;
4.    Contributing to the preparation and delivery of formal and informal meetings on FSC-related topics, as well as the Structured Dialogue; participating in security-related meetings held by other international organizations, academic institutions or participating States and providing OSCE inputs and briefings as appropriate for such external engagements; 
5.    Supervising the work of assigned staff – currently, the CSBM Officer, the Associate FSC Support Officer, a Programme Assistant and an Office Assistant, including assigning work and ensuring quality of work; similarly supervising the work of any project staff under this post;
6.    Performing other duties as assigned. 

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in international relations, political science or a related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A minimum of seven years of professional-level experience in security policy and/or arms control in an international or multilateral context;
• Previous experience in multilateral diplomacy;
• Demonstrated political acumen; experience in provision of advice and support to intergovernmental decision-making fora would be an 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;
• Computer literate with practical 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.