Background:
This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an 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 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 Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. The Office currently comprises 22 staff members.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Environmental Activities and in order to assist the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in carrying out his/her mandate as set out in PC Decisions, the incumbent is responsible for the management of the Energy Security team, the effective delivery of corresponding activities and projects, and the formulation of recommendations, whether in terms of administrative and coordination processes, development and strategic positioning of the team, energy policy issues and opportunities, and increased visibility of the support of OCEEA to participating States in enhancing energy security in the OSCE region.
More specifically, the Senior Energy Security Adviser will perform the following:
Directing the work and programme of the team, managing and supervising the staff and projects of the Energy Security Team and providing guidance and support to the OSCE field operations in their activities related to energy security; In consultation with OSCE participating States, OSCE field operations and other international and regional partner organizations, identifying and developing regional and local energy security interventions, activities and projects aimed at enhancing security in the OSCE region; supporting and co-ordinating OSCE activities in relation to energy security that promote co-operation among countries, conflict prevention and confidence building; Monitoring and expediting programme and project implementation through discussions and correspondence with counterparts in partner organizations, during field visits and analysis of project progress; Organizing and delivering seminars, workshops, training courses and other activities to address the energy dimension of security, as per the Energy Security programme, mandate and objectives of the Office; Supporting the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Environmental Activities in establishing and maintaining contacts, at senior level, with officials of international organizations, sub-regional initiatives, NGOs, and OSCE delegations with a view to ensure synergies, collaboration and complementarity; Maintaining relationships, co-ordinating activities, informing and responding to queries, and providing guidance to the Economic and Environmental Officers and other relevant field mission members on energy security issues and on relevant partnership and funding opportunities; Identifying new sources of funding for projects and programmes, arranging fund raising activities, maintaining relations with traditional donors and mobilizing resources in support of OSCE projects designed by the Office of the Co-ordinator as well as by the field operations; Monitoring, analyzing and reporting on energy developments, policy considerations and strategies regarding energy security in the OSCE area; proposing issues to be addressed by the OSCE and submit recommendations; Writing briefing papers and reports, preparing background material, concept notes and food-for-thought papers, drafting energy security sections of speeches to be delivered by the Deputy Co-ordinator, the Co-ordinator, the Secretary General, and the Chairpersonship, as required, and providing relevant contributions on current and future activities of the Energy Security Team; Performing other duties as assigned.
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat and the OCEEA, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat and https://www.osce.org/oceea
Necessary Qualifications:
Second-level university degree in environmental sciences, geography, international relations and/or political sciences, energy; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree; A minimum of eight years of professional experience, of which at least two at international level, including experience in a diplomatic environment; Work experience in project/programme development and management, team leadership/staff supervision, and fund-raising/donor relations; Speech writing skills would be an important asset; In-depth understanding of and experience in energy security issues; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset; Practical experience of work in OSCE countries, in particular Central Asia, would be an important asset; 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; Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.
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 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.
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.
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 be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
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. Additional Information