Senior Project Officer (P4)

Background:

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project on "Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets", which is expected to run until 31 December 2027. The initial contract will be from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. 

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 Project Officer, you will report to the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities, while the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities will act as the second-level supervisor. You will supervise more than 5 staff, distribute workload, manage performance and guide development.

The role's primary purpose is to efficiently manage a large scale, multi-country OSCE extra-budgetary project on innovative policy solutions to mitigate money laundering risks of virtual assets. 

More specifically, your responsibilities include:

1. Developing and implementing strategies for the Virtual Assets project, ensuring alignment with OSCE's commitments to mitigate money laundering risks; adapting project strategies based on evolving digital finance landscapes and regulatory requirements; applying strong independent judgment in strategy development;
2. Analyzing capacity-building needs and appraising the suitability and sustainability of proposed activities in meeting these needs, identifying particular capacity-building possibilities in relation to expressed governmental needs and the known capabilities and resources available to the project, assessing the relative feasibility and impact of the project in the relevant countries;
3. Planning, overseeing, and coordinating all project activities, including workshops, trainings, and technical seminars aimed at building national capacities; ensuring activities are effectively executed and meet project objectives; managing multiple activities across diverse geographical regions, ensuring coordination and timely delivery; engaging with national and international stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies;
4. Introducing into the project formulation, implementation and management processes newly developed modalities, policies and practices, as well as alternative methods for independent evaluation of activities which are designed to improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of the project and programme planning and delivery processes;
5. Guiding and orienting the efforts and contributions of consultants, project personnel, donors, institutions and governments towards the achievement of project objectives;
6. Assessing the degree of implementation of project activities and resources; identifying problems and resource and financial deficiencies, and initiating and proposing corrective or alternative actions;
7. Advocating for the adoption and implementation of robust policies and legislative frameworks to regulate virtual assets and combat money laundering; providing expert advice to policymakers; working closely with government officials, legislators, and international organizations to promote and implement policy reforms;
8. Performing other duties as assigned. 

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 Relations/Political Science, Anti-Corruption, Law 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 second-level university degree;
• Recognized project management certification or experience in managing projects of similar scale and size would be an asset;
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in the area of good economic governance, of which at least six at international level;
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and managing donor-funded projects;
• Proven knowledge of regulatory frameworks in the field of virtual assets and anti-money laundering;
• Excellent writing (speeches, project proposals, analytical reports) and presentation skills; 
• Practical work experience in Eastern Europe, and/or South Caucasus and Central Asia;
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• 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 team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.

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.