How to apply
Applicants are invited to apply by using the online recruitment system. Incomplete applications, or applications received after the published deadline will not be considered. Please be advised that if your current or previous experience is with the United Nations or other international organizations using a similar post grading system, the grade/step should be added to the "Exact Job Title" in the "Employment History" section of the application form.
Important note: country/citizenship requirements
Vacancies at the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of its 57 participating States. OSCE Partners for Co-operation can also nominate candidates for seconded posts at S1 and S2 level.
If you are not a citizen of one of these countries, your application will not be accepted unless you are applying for a consultancy position.
Contracted positions
Candidates applying for contracted positions are invited to use the online application system provided.
In case of any recruitment related question, please feel free to contact the relevant email address below and remember to quote the vacancy notice number and job title in the subject line to:
- recruitment@osce.org for all vacancies at the Secretariat, as well as professional-level (P) and seconded (S) vacancies in field operations;
- recruit@odihr.pl for all vacancies at ODIHR; or
- vacancies@hcnm.org for all vacancies at HCNM.
Important: Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute to submit their application since heavy internet traffic or other dysfunctions could lead to difficulties in submission. The Organization shall not be held responsible for such difficulties and applications which are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Please ensure that the contact details (telephone numbers, email addresses) that you provide on your application form are up-to-date.
Please note that the online application system undergoes regular maintenance during which time the site is temporarily unavailable. Vacancies expiring during a planned maintenance will be extended automatically to allow candidates to apply for the desired job opening.
If you encounter technical problems while applying for a job opening, the issue may be internet browser-related. In the first instance we recommend that you erase any cookies and history prior to using our online application system. We further recommend using the Chrome browser. However, if technical issues continue to arise, please contact ICTServicedesk@osce.org with further information on the issue you are experiencing and, if possible, by providing screen shots. (The ICT Helpdesk is available on weekdays, except OSCE holidays, from 09:00 to 17:00 CET/CEST).
Seconded positions
To apply for a seconded position, select the job, click on “Apply for Job” and proceed with the next steps to log in, including selecting your respective participating State. If your participating State is using the online application form, this form will be directed electronically to your respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs and/or OSCE Delegation. If your participating State is not using the online method, you will be requested to contact your OSCE Delegation.
The screening and nomination process takes place in the respective countries. The OSCE pays living expenses in the form of a board and lodging allowance for positions located in field duty stations. For secondments to the Secretariat and to the Institutions, all costs are borne by the nominating authority. For additional information regarding compensation/benefit packages of seconded staff, please direct all related enquiries to the designated contact point.
Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme
Vacancy notices are posted on the OSCE website approximately 3-4 months prior to commencement and contain all relevant details.
Applicants to the JPO programme should be under 30 years of age, and must be graduates of an accredited university in fields of study relevant to the OSCE’s mandate and fields of work.
To apply for an internship in the OSCE please use the online application system and explain your motivation in the cover letter section of the application form. Vacancy notices are posted on the OSCE website and contain all relevant details.
Applicants for internship should be under 30 years of age and students in their final year of higher education (university or other accredited institution) at graduate or postgraduate level; or recent graduates or postgraduates, i.e. within three years after graduation.
Consultants (Special Service Agreements)
Current vacancies for consultancies can be found in the 'Vacancies - contracted' link. In contrast to contracted and seconded positions, there are no geographical limitations for the hiring of consultants.
Please be informed that as of 1 January 2021, we no longer accept unsolicited/offline application for Special Service Agreements (SSAs)/consultancy positions. We would kindly ask you to consult our current vacancies and apply for consultancy positions in your area of expertise for which you fulfil the minimum requirements.
Temporary positions (Short-term Appointments)
If you would like to work for a short period and are available at short notice, please complete the off-line application form and send it to recruitment@osce.org
Experts/Young Diplomats Programme
Vacancy notices are posted on the OSCE website approximately 2-3 months prior to commencement and contain all relevant details.
Applicants to this programme should be under 35 years of age, nationals of an OSCE Partner for Co-operation State and graduates of an accredited university in fields of study relevant to the OSCE’s mandate and fields of work.
Applicants should download the offline application form, complete it and submit it to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.