Senior Policy Support Assistant (G6)

Background:

Please note that this post is fixed-term until maximum mid-January 2026 and is vacant to due to parental leave of a staff member. 

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 Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization's primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the SG and the Chairpersonship on related policy and operational issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairpersonship includes background information, policy support and advice, input to speeches and travel files as well as drafting summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and institutions and assists field operations with their input to the budget cycle process. PSS also provides support for the Chairperson-in-Office's representatives dealing with protracted conflicts and related formats.

The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

You will be one of three Senior Policy Support Assistants. Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service, you will be responsible for providing substantive assistance to the regional desks on a range of matters.

More specifically, you will perform the following tasks:

1. Ensuring the effective flow of information between headquarters and the field;
2. Formatting, proof-reading and providing comments on final drafts of English-language reports of field operations before processing them for distribution to delegations;
3. Attending Permanent Council meetings and other ad hoc meetings related to assigned field operations and writing summaries, notes and reports for distribution;
4. Proofreading various English-language documents, including reports, speaking points and background, for senior management and the Chairpersonship;
5. Assisting Policy Support Officers in the review process of extra-budgetary projects;
6. Preparing administrative and logistical aspects of visits of senior officials to Mission areas;
7. Assisting regional desks with the organization of Regional Meetings of Heads of Field Operations, participating in such meetings and contributing to related reports;
8. Assisting with preparations for the Annual Meeting of the Chairpersonship  and the Secretariat with the Heads of Field Operations and Institutions, and drafting reports on certain sessions;
9. Conducting research on OSCE-related topics and compiling and co-ordinating input to various OSCE documents;
10. Maintaining various databases and updating OSCE reference documents and numerous email lists on a regular basis;
11. Contributing to other CPC-related tasks, or projects, as required, and performing other related duties, such as participating in CPC-related events.  

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education supplemented by post-secondary education or training in the field of administration, political science, international affairs, history, or a related field; a first-level university degree is desirable;
• At least six years of relevant work experience in an international environment; a university degree in a relevant field may be considered as a substitute for up to two years of working experience;
• Professional fluency in English, including excellent oral and written communication skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages is an asset;
• Outstanding co-ordination and organizational skills;
• Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and under time pressure;
• Ability to work under minimal supervision;
• Demonstrated experience in writing and editing reports or publications is desirable;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate, including the ability to operate Microsoft applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and email.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 5,400 (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. 

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.