Senior Programme Assistant (G6)

Background:

OSCE field operations are the front line of the OSCE’s engagement on the ground, supporting host authorities in fulfilling OSCE commitments and implementing a comprehensive approach to security. 

The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the Organization's longest-serving field operation working on social cohesion, fundamental rights, gender equality, the rule of law, good governance, integrity and anticorruption, criminal justice and police reform.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Community Outreach (CO), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following:

1. Conducting research, data collection and analysis, and supporting the preparation of decision memoranda, strategic papers, and project proposals; drafting, compiling, and reviewing correspondence, meeting notes, talking points, briefing materials, reports, submissions, and other documentation for the Chief of CO, coordinating inputs from CO colleagues and Mission Programmes/Units and ensuring completeness, accuracy, consistency and compliance with established requirements; coordinating revisions and clearances as necessary prior to submission.

2. Supporting the development and delivery of project activities, and preparing programme reports by compiling, verifying, and synthesizing inputs from CO colleagues, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with programme objectives prior to submission to the Chief of CO for review. 

3. Contributing to and, as assigned, leading project-related financial and administrative processes, including budget planning, monitoring, and reporting; preparing procurement requests, ensuring compliance with organizational rules and procedures.

4. Maintaining and developing professional relationships with stakeholders and partners; coordinating joint activities, facilitating  communication and information-sharing, and supporting effective collaboration and programme delivery.

5. Coordinating the timely flow of information to and from the Programme; screening and prioritizing incoming correspondence and requests, identifying matters requiring the Chief of CO's attention or decision, tracking resulting decisions, deadlines, and follow-up actions, and liaising with responsible colleagues and Mission Programmes/Units to obtain inputs and ensure timely follow-up, keeping the Chief of CO informed of outstanding actions and emerging issues.

6. Providing administrative and programme support to the Chief of CO, including managing and coordinating the Chief’s schedule and meetings, organizing internal and external engagements, preparing agendas and supporting materials, and anticipating and coordinating administrative and programme-related requirements. 

7. Providing written and oral translation and interpretation for programme-related materials and meetings, ensuring accurate and effective communication between stakeholders.

8. Managing CO’s archive and records management and acting as CO’s Correspondence Focal Point, ensuring appropriate filing, tracking, retrieval, and handling of official correspondence and documentation.

9. Performing other tasks as assigned.    

Necessary Qualifications:

• Citizenship of or permanent residence in the Republic of North Macedonia;
• Completed secondary education supplemented with specialized training in project management, administration, accounting, economics, law, and/or languages.
• Minimum six (6) years of relevant experience in administrative or programme support functions, including experience providing administrative, executive, or coordination support to managers, preferably within an international organization;
• Sound knowledge of project management, including accounting, budgeting, and financial management, as well as administrative and organizational procedures;
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and maintain strong attention to detail;
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, and autonomy, including in handling sensitive or confidential information;
• Strong drafting and communication skills, including experience preparing and reviewing correspondence, briefings, reports, meeting materials, and other documentation for management;
• Knowledge and good understanding of local dynamics and community issues;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, analysis, and reporting;
• Proven ability to translate and interpret between English and local language(s); 
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft Office applications;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity; and 
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
   

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is approximately EUR 1,975.00. 

Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance 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 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.