Chief, Situation/Communications Room

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting the OSCE's activities in the field and is the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension. In particular, the CPC as organization-wide focal point for early warning is responsible for supporting the Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) and the Secretary General in implementing OSCE tasks in the areas of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post conflict rehabilitation.

Within the CPC, the Operations Service (OS) covers a broad variety of tasks such as operational planning for the set-up, reorganization and closure of field operations, analysis related to early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation, lessons learned and best practices, border security and management, operational liaison with other international organizations, and maintaining a 24/7 Situation/Communications Room (SitRm).

The SitRm acts as a flexible emergency and crisis management cell capable of responding effectively to a broad range of contingencies and ready to support the Crisis Management Team (CMT) or Task Force Meetings within the OSCE Secretariat. With a team consisting of 7 members (1 Chief, 1 Deputy Chief and 5 Duty Officers), the SitRm carries out 24/7 monitoring of events in the countries of deployment of OSCE field operations (FO) and of issues in other areas of interest for the OSCE by media and open sources research. The team produces daily morning and afternoon briefings, a weekly regional summary, a weekly calendar of upcoming events, as well as special briefings when required. The SitRm provides real-time reporting and fulfills an early warning function to the senior management of the Secretariat. During times of crisis, the SitRm acts as focal point of contact for the receipt, exchange and dissemination of security related information thus being a vital 24/7 link in the security chain between the Secretariat and the FO. The SitRm also provides 24/7 assistance to FO in cases of medical evacuations of OSCE staff and repatriation of remains.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director for Operations Service, the incumbent will lead all activities and be responsible for the overall management and performance of the Situation/Communications Room. More specifically, he/she will be tasked with:

• Being responsible for all operational and administrative matters related to the SitRm (e.g. issuing necessary guidelines in order to ensure high standard of daily work, updating standard operation procedures, establishing weekly/monthly shift rosters);
• Ensuring the rapid and effective response capability of the SitRm in case of emergency and delivery of timely and efficient support requested on crisis management issues;
• Overseeing the output of the daily morning, afternoon and special briefings, the weekly regional summary and calendar of upcoming events, as well as special updates regarding crisis situations covering significant political developments in OSCE areas of interest, as well as those affecting the security situation in the OSCE field operations¿ area of responsibility;
• Reviewing working methods and adapting them, if necessary, to meet changing requirements and needs of the CPC and Secretariat;
• Ensuring appropriate working conditions and atmosphere within the SitRm team and between team members;
• Establishing efficient working relations and good co-operation between the SitRm and relevant units of the CPC and Secretariat;
• Briefing OSCE senior management regarding crisis situations;
• Briefing OSCE participating States¿ delegations, as well as external visitors regarding activities of the SitRm;
• Taking over all operational assignments of a SitRm Duty Officer, when necessary;
• Performing other related duties as required.

• University degree in international relations, political science, or related field or graduate of a national military or police academy at officer level;
• A minimum of six to eight years of progressively responsible professional experience (civilian, military or police), preferably in a multinational environment and with experience in operational and staff management;
• Experience leading a virtual team would be an asset;
• Experience in an Operations/Situation Centre for field operations, with an early warning function, or other experience in early warning would be an asset;
• Knowledge of the OSCE area;
• Ability to balance diverse and demanding tasks at once and establish priorities;
• Excellent analytical skills and political sensitivity, as well as sound practical judgement;
• Excellent English skills, both written and oral, with good communication skills; working knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Very good knowledge of computer applications, advanced experience with Windows Office Programmes, as well as e-mail and Internet; knowledge of mapping programmes; ability to use a variety of graphic programmes;
• Due to the nature of demanding shift work (which can entail sleep deprivation as well as disruption of social and family life), it is essential that the incumbent is in excellent physical condition and possesses a high level of resistance to stress;
• 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 a team, to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national, cultural, religious and professional backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, while remaining impartial and objective.

This post is open for secondment. Candidates are requested to apply through the OSCE desk of the respective Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise 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.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/who/83.

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. The nomination of female candidates is particularly encouraged.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation.

No application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by OSCE for our recruitment process.