Economic Adviser (P3)

Background:

Please note that this post is fixed-term until 31 December 2024 and is vacant to due to maternity leave of a staff member. 

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 direct supervision of the Senior Economic Officer, as Economic Adviser, you will provide analysis and related advice in relation to OSCE activities to fostering regional economic co-operation and economic governance aspects of security, facilitating trade and improving the security of transport, improving the investment and business climate and supporting economic connectivity in the OSCE region including fostering the active participation of the private sector and managing labour migration. 

More specifically, as Economic Adviser, you will be responsible for:

1. Co-ordinating proposals for programmes, projects and activities that address the economic governance dimension of security;
2. Providing policy advice relating to good governance activities and providing inputs to the Economic and Environmental Forum process and subsequent follow-up activities;
3. Analysing trends and assessing national needs related to economic developments;
4. Offering technical assistance to facilitate the formulation of economic initiatives among participating States;
5. Preparing contributions on current and future activities of the Economic Governance Unit for the OCEEA annual programme and budget, the OCEEA annual Activity Report and the OSCE Annual Report;
6. Conceptualizing and preparing briefing papers and reports, drafting speeches to be delivered by the senior management, the Co-ordinator, the Secretary General and representatives of the Chairmanship-in-Office, as required;
7. Assisting in fund raising for projects and maintaining relations with funding sources;
8. Participating in negotiating and drafting agreements with bilateral and multilateral donors and implementing partners in compliance with the OSCE, donor and implementing partner requirements as well as monitoring the overall implementation of the agreements;
9. Establishing and maintaining working relations with international organizations, sub-regional initiatives, NGOs, business associations and with responsible officers in the OSCE delegations and the OSCE Partners for Co-operation;
10. Carrying out other related 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:

• First-level university degree in international relations or political science, economics or legal studies with a focus on economic issues;
• A minimum of six years of professional experience with progressively responsible experience at the international level;
• Work experience in project development and management;
• Understanding of and experience in security-related economic issues;
• Experience in carrying out analysis and conceptualization;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of Russian would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 7,300, 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.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

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.

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.

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 63 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.