Principles of Recruitment

Recruitment and selection are based on a transparent and impartial process, subject to open competition among nationals of participating States - and OSCE Partners for Cooperation for certain posts - and without regard to gender, race, colour, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation nor to ethnic or social origin or to nationality. Recruitment is also guided by the principle of a wide geographical representation of OSCE participating States on a fair basis. The OSCE is committed to the principle of gender equality and an improved ratio of men and women at all levels of the Organization on a continuous basis.

An appointment or assignment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister of an OSCE official, except for an appointment or assignment to an institution or a mission which is different from that of the OSCE official. However, the marriage or cohabitation of an OSCE official to another shall not affect the employment conditions of either spouse. OSCE officials shall not be recruited to serve in a post which is directly superior or subordinate in the line of authority to their relative, spouse or partner regardless of whether recruited locally or internationally.

Recruitment and Selection Process

  1. Check OSCE Vacancies.
  2. Learn More About the OSCE.
  3. Apply Online: Create your profile on our online portal and submit your application for any vacancy of your interest. 
  4. Long-Listing by HR: Our recruiters will review your application after the vacancy deadline to ensure you meet the minimum requirements. 
  5. Short- Listing by Hiring Managers: Hiring managers will screen your application. At this stage, you may be invited for a written pre-assessment or a pre-recorded interview.
  6. Candidate Assessments: You will be invited to participate in one or more online assessments followed by reference checks and a live video interview with a board of panel members. The board will consider your relevant education, experience, and performance throughout the assessments. 
  7. Recommendation and Selection: The Appointing Authority makes the decision based on the recommendation of the Interview Board.
  8. Offer Letter: Once the selection decision has been made you will hear from our HR team and receive an offer letter for your acceptance. After the OSCE has officially notified you or, in the case of a secondment, the seconding authority, you are requested to promptly complete the medical clearance procedures and submit records to the designated OSCE medical officer. 

The OSCE Competency Model

In 2015 the OSCE introduced its own framework of core values and core competencies. The Competency Model serves the following purpose:

  • It provides core elements which will help in recruitment and selection, performance management and evaluation, and in identifying and addressing learning and development opportunities.
  • It sets the foundation for human resources management and helps improve organizational performance - with a view to building a pool of talent that can more effectively meet the Organization’s strategic goals.
  • By providing a common language for the daily work of the Organization, it promotes an organizational culture where there is a shared understanding of what effective performance means.
  • It establishes the clear and shared expectations required for each value and competency.

The Model sets out the core values of the Organization, as well as the core and managerial competencies needed to perform on the job.

The values and core competencies apply to all OSCE officials, regardless of function or title. Managers must, in addition to the values and core competencies, demonstrate a number of competencies that are deemed essential in a management role.

As part of the OSCE’s competitive recruitment and selection process, candidates will be tested against core and – if applicable – managerial competencies.  Additionally, post specific or so-called functional competencies will be assessed although they fall outside the Competency Model.