Junior Professional Officer Programme

All costs relating to the assignment of this round of the Junior Professional Officer Programme shall be borne by the authorities of the nominating participating States.    Candidates wishing to apply should contact their respective nominating authority (http://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations) to verify if and to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. 

Please submit your application several days prior to expiry of the deadline to ensure timely processing of your application by your national authorities.  Delayed nominations will not be considered.

The OSCE will be offering six positions within its Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme with a view to developing a gender and geographically balanced pool of qualified candidates for future entry-level positions.   The positions are open to candidates from OSCE participating States.

JPOs will be offered the opportunity of gaining practical experience in different locations and operational areas during a six month period at the OSCE Secretariat (1 September 2016 - 28 February 2017) and a six-month placement in a field operation (1 March - 31 August 2017).  The respective supervisors will establish specific terms of reference for the JPO assigned to their department.  

The Programme will provide selected candidates a thorough introduction to the OSCE and experience in an international organisation at both the Secretariat and the field level, which will enable them to compete for future entry-level positions.

The goal of the programme is to provide JPOs with a comprehensive overview of the Organization, with a particular focus on familiarization with the OSCE programmatic approach and managerial framework.  Typical assignments may range from:

• Policy work such as preparing files and background material for senior managers, trips, bi-lateral meetings and country visits;
• Conducting desk/thematic research, or surveys and analyses, and drafting research papers, policy reports or concept papers for the Department of assignment;
• Assisting in the preparation of written materials such as  briefing papers/memos/ talking points/speeches/documents/newsletters and PowerPoint presentations on specific issues related to the Department of assignment;
• Supporting the organization of events, meetings, regional workshops, round-tables and conferences such as the Security Days, OSCE Economic and Environmental Fora, annual Aarhus Centre Meetings, the OSCE Summer School, capacity-building training, preparations for Ministerial Council meetings, etc.;
• Attending various OSCE meetings, such as regular meetings of the OSCE decision-making and OSCE-related bodies, OSCE Security and Economic and Environmental Committee meetings, the Human Dimension Committee and Advisory Committee on Management and Finance meetings, or accompanying senior managers to external conferences, taking minutes, drafting official records and writing reports;
• Preparing and compiling inputs for Permanent Council and other reports;
• Gaining an overview of the complexities and challenges involved in the provision of human resources, financial services, supply chain/travel management/procurement activities to the OSCE's diverse operations/locations;
• Obtaining insight into and participating in audit/evaluation assignments in order to gain an overview of the results and effectiveness of OSCE projects and programmes;
• Gaining an understanding of the legal framework of the OSCE, reviewing and providing comments/suggestions on legal documents/agreements, preparing legal opinions, performing research and drafting communications in response to questions received from the OSCE Institutions/field operations;
• Assisting in project management such as participating in needs assessments, preparation of project proposals/budgets, and/or following up on the implementation of on-going projects and compiling Project Progress reports for donors;
• Supporting the assigned Department with website updates, the production of booklets and leaflets and communication-related events/outreach activities;
• Contributing to the drafting of the Programme Budget Performance Reports and Programme Outlines;
• Performing other administrative duties such as editing/formatting files for dissemination, maintaining correspondence, translations from English into Russian and vice-versa, as applicable.

• Applicants should be under the age of 30 on the deadline of this vacancy;
• Graduation (completed first-level degree) from accredited universities in a field of study relevant to the OSCE's mandate and fields of work (this includes graduates from recognized police and military academies or those with university degrees in economics, finance, accounting, human resources, environmental studies, educational/social sciences, international criminal law, terrorism studies, Central Asian or East European studies, peace and conflict studies);
• Previous work experience in a relevant field would be an asset;
• Demonstrate open-mindedness, flexibility, high motivation and readiness to take on challenges;
• Be ready to be assigned to any OSCE duty station;
• Professional fluency in English, both oral and written, and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely is mandatory (telephone interviews will be conducted);
• Knowledge of other OSCE official languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Computer literacy with familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, including word processing and e-mail;
• Willingness to embrace the core values and competencies applicable to all OSCE officials;
• Awareness of the importance of integrating a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Excellent physical condition;
• Candidates should possess a valid driving licence and be able to drive using a manual transmission;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours in an environment with limited infrastructure;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States which are listed under  http://www.osce.org/states

Candidates interested in participating in this programme are requested to apply online using the application form to be found under the link:  http://www.osce.org/employment  

The online application system will forward applications directly to the respective authorities in your country of nationality, usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who may conduct an initial selection before nominating their candidates to the OSCE.  If your participating State does not allow you to apply online for seconded positions, you should contact the respective OSCE delegation, whose address can be found under the link:   http://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations

Applications sent directly to the OSCE Secretariat will not be considered.

The selection process for this round of the Junior Professional Officer programme is scheduled to take place after mid-July 2016.   Those candidates who are short-listed will be asked to sit a written test and take part in a competency-based interview.   Questions will be based on the OSCE core values and competencies listed below:

Core values

• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization¿s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

Core competencies

• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

Selected candidates will be expected to join the programme on 1 September 2016 and will remain at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna until 28 February 2017, after which they will be assigned to the respective field operation for the six-month period 1 March - 31 August 2017.  

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. 

Please note that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.