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 Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR's assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR's mandate.

The ODIHR Election Department has the mandate to assist participating States in meeting their OSCE commitments related to democratic elections through follow-up activities and technical assistance to States in the implementation of electoral recommendations and the tracking of election developments across the OSCE region. The Election Department manages the organization of 15-20 election observation activities per year which includes the deployment of several hundred election experts and long-term observers and up to 3,000 short-term observers each year as well as work to identify the needs for observation before elections and to follow-up on observation recommendations with technical assistance to States to improve their electoral processes. With a Unified Budget of over 6 million and an additional 2 million per year on average in extra-budgetary funds the department is responsible for large scale operations across the region that involve complicated logistics, procurement and human resources processes, political and representational skills and highly specialized technical expertise all mobilized in extremely tight timelines and high-pressure environments.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Election Department, the incumbent performs the following functions:

1. Shaping departmental policies, providing technical expertise and contributing to decision making. Supporting the Head of Department by providing input on the development of methodological frameworks for election activities and advancing long-term strategies for the Department's activities;
2. Providing input on political issues, changes and trends that may affect the planning and/or implementation of election activities. Assessing the viability of projects proposed by Election Advisers and evaluating the outcome/impact of such activities and making subsequent recommendations;
3. Developing the department's budgetary plans and overseeing budget implementation. Providing the Head of Department with draft budgets, including the draft annual budget and budget for election observation activities. In consultation with the Head of Department and the ODIHR Finance Unit, supervising financial and administrative activities related to the implementation of the budget and reviewing adherence to budget limits;
4. Overseeing administration of the Department, in particular with regard to the effective and timely recruitment of election experts and deployment of long-term and short-term election observers to support an extensive range of field operations. In co-ordination with ODIHR Common Services overseeing management and regular inventory of the roster of election experts as well as of equipment available to the Department;
5. Managing the operational planning for all field activities, including all election-observation activities. This includes identification of Operations Experts, Security Experts and close co-operation with the relevant ODIHR departments and Common Services units, especially Logistics and Security Unit, Procurement Unit, Finance Unit and Human Resources Unit. Overseeing financial and administrative aspects of planning and implementation of election observation activities. Updating policy guidelines and procedures by reviewing inputs from staff members and in consultation with Head of Department and other relevant ODIHR Units;
6. Managing all extra-budgetary projects of the department and in close co-ordination with ODIHR’s Project Co-ordination Unit ensuring effective liaison with donors, negotiates funding arrangements, requests and ensures timely funding and reallocation when necessary; reviewing regularly progress in project implementation to ensure adherence to deadlines and to budget limits, drafts interim and final reports for submission to donors;
7. Serving as first-line supervisor for six Election Advisers and four General Administrative staff as well as, if applicable, extra-budgetary project teams and short-term consultants and administrative staff. Managing the Department during the absence of the Head of Department, as required;
8. Representing ODIHR at events and co-ordination meetings with other international organizations regarding the activities of the Election Department; representing the Department at internal and external meetings as required.

Necessary qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in political science, law, social sciences or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A minimum of seven years (nine years with a relevant first-level degree) of relevant professional-level experience in government or international organizations is required, including administrative experience, management experience (projects, budgets, personnel) and comparative election observation experience and/or election management experience in the OSCE area;
• Leadership and negotiation skills are necessary, as well as analytical skills and political judgment;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of another OSCE language would be an asset;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, ethical awareness and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 8,700 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. 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 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.