Operations Room Officer

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

• Demonstrable organizational skills
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and documented experience in negotiations
• Depending on the field activity's mandate, significant prior experience in relevant fields such as international customs practices and procedures, law enforcement, and military observations and arms control may also be required
• Negotiating experience, preferably in the area of monitoring operations and/or related activities

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

First level university degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience including minimum 1 year in a relevant field strongly preferred

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

• University degree in international relations, political science, journalism or related field or graduate of a national military or police academy at officer level
• Experience in an operations/situation/reporting centre for field operations
• Experience in handling public information issues
• Knowledge of the regional political history and developments
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Working knowledge of the Ukrainian and/or Russian language
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure; proven resilience to high stress environments
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and within limited time frames, as well as readiness to work long hours is essential
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity
• Cultural sensitivity and judgement
• Ability to operate windows applications, including word processing and e-mail

Desirable:

• Prior experience with a national foreign service, national military or police service and previous field service with the OSCE or with another international and multi-national organization
• Completed national/international pre-deployment training

Initial duration of appointment/assignment for this post is until 31 March 2016, subject to a subsequent OSCE Permanent Council Decision to extend the mandate of the Mission.

Potential applicants should be aware that this is a non-family posting.

If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment.

The Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMMU) Headquarters (HQ) Operations Room provides the central hub for all operations and security matters and assists in the management, co-ordination and support for all field monitoring operations and operates a 24/7 staffing capability. The Operations Room reports directly to the Head of Operations and Head of Security as appropriate to ensure that all field operations and security aspects in support of such operations are dealt with effectively and efficiently.  The Operations Room provides up to date situation reports (SITREPS) on all operations and security and issues a daily briefing to the SMMU Senior Management, Head of Operations and Head of Security.

Furthermore, the Operations Room acts as a flexible emergency and crisis management cell capable of responding rapidly and effectively to a broad range of contingencies. It also operates as the SMMU Crisis Management Team focal point both in and outside of the SMM on a 24-hour basis.

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Operations Room, the Operations Room Officer:

1. Acts as the primary point of contact within the Operations Room for all field operations support for monitoring teams (MTs) and staffs the IT and communications network with MTs; as well as with outside agencies and relevant units of the OSCE Secretariat;
2. Works closely with the Security Watchkeepers to monitor and assist with threat assessments and security updates;
3. Liaises with relevant departments within the SMMU HQ and with respective MTs in terms of daily and weekly MT activities, patrol tasking and reporting;
4. Maintains the incident log-book/register recording of all necessary information;
5. Provides input to the daily operations and security SITREPS including principal field (MT) operations and activities;
6. Maintains the operational maps and overlays including deployments, dispositions of OSCE patrol teams, vehicle movements and events/incidents, and keeps senior management staff and other appropriate staff informed of the operations and security situation as directed;
7. Assists with the preparation and delivery of up to date SMMU operations reports and briefings as and when directed by the Chief, Operations Room;
8. Acts as the primary OSCE SMMU point of contact outside normal working hours, responding to all incidents and emergency/crisis situations as necessary and provides immediate response to emergency calls, whilst maintaining regular contacts with appropriate staff;
9. Assesses the urgency of incoming reports from the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) of the OSCE Secretariat and from the field MTs, as well as assists with the dissemination of reports as directed by the Chief of Operations Room;
10. Contacts the appropriate emergency services (e.g. Air Ambulance) and relevant representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the event of emergencies. Co-ordinates the medical evacuation of international staff in the field, including planning and implementing an evacuation plan with relevant field MTs and external agencies;
11. Acts as the deputy of the Chief of Operations Room as and when directed;
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

The incumbent should be prepared to work extended evening/night periods on a 24/7 shift rotation.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.