Project Officer (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an assignment at the High Commissioner on National Minorities  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 OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.  

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) promotes conflict prevention and integration of diverse societies. HCNM was established to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between OSCE participating States.
 

The Office is staffed by the High Commissioner; a Director; area teams (Sections) comprising of political, legal and project advisers/officers; and administrative and support team.

The Section comprises of political, legal, project management and administrative professionals who inform the High Commissioner's engagements with the OSCE participating States, primarily in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.  

The Project Officer is responsible for all phases of development and implementation of the programmatic portfolio under his/her responsibility. This includes preparation of project proposals, identifying and guiding implementing partners, monitoring of the project progress and visits to the relevant region for project management purposes. The Project Officer contributes to ensuring that the programmatic portfolio is aligned with and aims at advancing the High Commissioner’s political and legislative assistance to the OSCE participating States. The Project Officer is also responsible for fundraising, financial management of projects and their monitoring and evaluation. 

 

Tasks and Responsibilities:
 

Under the supervision of the Head of Section, and  in close coordination with the relevant Political and Legal Advisers and with the Senior Administrative Officer for all financial and administrative matters, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Participating in and contributing to in-country assessments, development of project proposals and budgets, identification of local and international project partners, identification of potential funders, project implementation, evaluation, and reporting;    
2. Travelling to his/her region of responsibility and may be requested to represent the High Commissioner at conferences, seminars, training programs or visits as identified by the High Commissioner. The Project Officer is maintaining continuous close contact with implementing partners and ensuring that at any stage of the project cycle, its implementation is fully aligned with the aim of the High Commissioner's support to the OSCE participating States;  
3. Overseeing all expenditures related to his/her projects to ensure compliance with project budgets, as well as the OSCE's and funder requirements; being responsible for preparing narrative reports and financial reports to funders; 
4. Contributing to the development of fundraising strategy and related materials;
5. As a member of the Section, participating actively in discussions on HCNM policies and strategy to support the OSCE participating States within his/her portfolio; 
6. Providing support to the Head of Section and to the HCNM's Advisers related to the drafting of thematic and country-specific documents, the planning and organization of relevant meetings with experts and assistance when preparing the High Commissioner's country visits;  
7. Playing an important role in developing knowledge products, contributing to the thematic work in the office, and supporting initiatives for knowledge and experience exchange between the OSCE participating States;
8. Supervising a project assistant, in-country national project staff and consultants under the projects in his/her portfolios, as relevant;
9. Performing other duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, please see: https://www.osce.org/hcnm
 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second -level university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Administration, Project Management, International Law, Sociology or other related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• Minimum of five years (seven years with a relevant first-level degree) of progressively responsible professional experience, including project management experience at international level;
• A sound understanding of the political context in the relevant region (Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia) is required, preferably with knowledge of inter-ethnic relations and minority issues; 
• Creativity and initiative are among the key assets for this role; 
• Professional fluency in English, knowledge of another official OSCE language is an asset; 
• 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 team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Ability to work independently, yet also as part of a team, and to cope with a varied and heavy workload;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at  https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form to the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

 
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is 10 years.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations. 

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

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