Policy Support Officer (Caucasus Desk)

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 and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General and the Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) in relation to field related activities and is the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico- military dimension.

The Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization's primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairmanship on related policy issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairperson-in-Office includes background information, policy support and advice, draft decisions, draft statements and summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and institutions and assists field operations in the Performance-Based Programme Budgeting (PBPB) process. The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The incumbent will be a member of the Caucasus Desk. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Support Officer and the general guidance of the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service, the Policy Support Officer (Caucasus Desk):

• Monitors and analyses developments in the region;
• Monitors the implementation of the mandates assigned to the OSCE field operations in the Caucasus region;
• Follows-up to ensure timely flow of information among the field operations, the  Chairperson-in-Office, the Delegations and the Secretariat;
• Actively participates in the performance-based programme budgeting process for the assigned field operations including interacting with the delegations of the Advisory Committee on Management and Finance (ACMF), the Preparatory Committee, the Permanent Council and other relevant committees;
• Contributes to research on selected political topics related to implementation of the mandates of assigned field operations, drafting background papers and reports, compiling briefing materials;
• Attends meetings and writes summaries, notes and reports for internal distribution; 
• Prepares visits of the Chairperson-in-Office and senior OSCE officials to the field operation area; accompanies high-level visits to the region and drafting reports on these visits upon request;
• Prepares in-house briefings, publications and other material; 
• In co-operation with the Programming and Evaluation Support Unit, reviews extra-budgetary project proposals from field operations to ensure that these are in line with the relevant mandate; proposing changes and further action, as necessary;
• Performs other related duties, such as participating in CPC-related events.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/conflict-prevention-and-resolution

• First-level university degree in political sciences, public or international law, international relations or another related field; an advanced degree and regional expertise would be an asset;
• Minimum of six years of professional experience in government, national administration or other relevant professional field;
• Work experience in a diplomatic service and/or international organization would be an asset; 
• Professional fluency in English and Russian including excellent drafting skills; working knowledge of another OSCE official language and/or of one of the languages spoken in the region would be an asset;
• Excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement and team spirit;
• Project management skills is an asset;
• Ability to operate Windows applications including word processing and email;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under http://www.osce.org/employment.

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.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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

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

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

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.