Chief, Digital Strategy and Communications (P4)

Background:

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 Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Affairs, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Document Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Communication and Media Relations Section (COMMS) supports and advises the Secretary General and the OSCE Chairmanship on media and public relations activities, and informs external audiences about the work of the OSCE. COMMS also serves as the focal point for public statements and other communication material from OSCE Institutions and field operations. COMMS produces and disseminates press releases, information materials and regular publications, maintains the public website, the Organization’s social/digital media presence and promotes the OSCE’s values, principles and work.

The goals and objectives of the post are to support the implementation of the OSCE Communication Strategy by defining, managing, and ensuring execution of the Organization’s online strategy and platforms; to manage the Digital Strategy and Communications Unit and oversee related projects; to ensure coherence of OSCE corporate identity across all communications products; and to strengthen the Organization’s visibility through innovative online and multimedia engagement. The incumbent monitors technological trends, evaluates effectiveness of online communication tools, and provides recommendations to the Head of COMMS on both short- and long-term strategy and approaches. The incumbent also supervises overall management of the Organization’s website with over 150,000 pages which requires some facility with website management. The overall approach is developed jointly between the incumbent and the Head of COMMS, with work in process reviewed at the supervisor’s discretion and final outputs assessed for strategic alignment, quality, and impact.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Spokesperson, Head of Communication and Media Relations Section (COMMS), and direct supervision of the same, the incumbent will advise and make recommendations on decisions, policies, and courses of action relating to online communications, corporate identity, and visibility of the OSCE. Such proposals, if accepted, directly affect the Organization’s public image, outreach impact, and the overall effectiveness of its communications.

The incumbent supervises staff within the Online Communications Unit, distributing workload, managing performance, and guiding development.

Specifically, she/he will be responsible for:

1. Developing communications policies and workflows for Executive Structures
• Analysing existing practices and assessing their alignment with COMMS regulations;
• Engaging proactively with Executive Structures to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement;
• Recording and documenting changes in practices and agreements, including through Operational Level Agreements (OLAs);
• Developing and maintaining the Operational Framework on OSCE Communications to capture the overall state of policies and workflow.

2. Developing and implementing a co-ordinated corporate identity policy
• Defining and updating policies on the OSCE’s corporate identity standards (e.g. logo, colour palettes, fonts, style);
• Ensuring adherence to corporate identity across all communications products, both internally and externally;
• Reviewing and responding to requests from OSCE Chairs, field operations, institutions, and third parties regarding the use of OSCE logos and symbols;
• Identifying innovative ways to strengthen the Organization’s public image with specific target groups through design and branding.

3. Deputising for the Head of COMMS as required
• Guiding and supervising the preparation of Purchase Requests for outsourced services and short-term assignments;
• Representing COMMS in internal working groups and commissions, as agreed with the Head of COMMS;
• Establishing co-operation with international organizations and partners to create synergies and optimising online communication resources.

4. Managing the Digital Strategy and Communications Unit
• Communicating management vision to the team, seeking input, and ensuring alignment with section objectives;
• Planning and overseeing the online budget, monitoring expenditures, and mobilizing resources for online projects;
• Supervising and evaluating staff performance, providing coaching and training, and supporting staff development.

5. Defining and ensuring implementation of the OSCE Digital and Online Strategy
• Developing long- and short-term objectives for OSCE online platforms, ensuring alignment with the broader Communication Strategy;
• Monitoring trends in online technologies and adapt the Online Strategy accordingly.

6. Managing the OSCE Public Website and online platforms
• Overseeing the integration, functionality, and presentation quality of the OSCE Public Website and other online platforms;
• Ensuring clearance procedures are respected, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure continual improvement;
• Managing technical maintenance, including outsourcing arrangements, ensuring sustainability, quality, and cost-effectiveness;
• Proposing and overseeing restructuring or development of new platforms, ensuring solutions are effective and future-proof.

7. Leading digital strategy and online communication projects and content delivery
• Overseeing the production and dissemination of tailored online messages to maximize OSCE visibility;
• Co-ordinating with internal stakeholders to align expectations and identifying communications opportunities using the COMMS forward plan;
• Selecting the most effective communication approaches in collaboration with colleagues;
• Providing leadership to digital strategy and online communications team with respect to content as well as form and format of online comms products to match overall Communications Strategy and ensure usage of consensual language.

8. Overseeing multimedia production
• Identifying opportunities to use multimedia formats to effectively communicate OSCE’s work through online platforms and social media;
• Ensuring procedures, equipment, and technical support are in place for planning and producing multimedia products;
• Overseeing the maintenance and distribution of OSCE multimedia guidelines to all OSCE structures and bodies.

9. Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat.

Necessary Qualifications:

A second-level university degree in Communications, Public Relations, Digital Communications, Media studies, Journalism, Political Communication, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;Specialized education or certification in one or more of the following areas: Web design, user experience (UX), or content management systems (e.g. Drupal), Digital strategy, social media management, or online content creation, would be an asset;

A minimum of seven years (nine years with a relevant first-level degree) of progressively responsible professional-level experience in communication and public information projects, including management of large corporate websites;

Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of other OSCE official
languages is considered 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;

Computer literacy with advanced knowledge of digital tools and applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 9,400, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment.

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

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post 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 those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

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 qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

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

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 62 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.

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