Adviser on Gender Issues (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 Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.

The duties and requirements of this seconded (S) position correspond to a P3-level role in the UN common system. 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 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/her 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 Issues, 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 Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Gender Issues Programme (GIP) supports the efforts of the OSCE Secretary General to ensure a continuous and sustainable gender mainstreaming process across the Organization. It supports the full implementation of the 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, as well as other gender-related commitments undertaken by the OSCE participating States. It assists and advises the OSCE Chair in Office and the OSCE Structures in the implementation of the Action Plan by providing technical assistance for the mainstreaming of gender in all activities, policies, programmes and projects. The GIP/OSG also designs and implements projects and activities that are strategically important for advancing the implementation of the OSCE commitments in the field of gender equality.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, the selected candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Provides knowledge and expertise to field operations, institutions and Secretariat departments on the development of a consistent and systematic approach to integrating a gender perspective in their programmes and projects especially in the area of OSCE human dimension of security and cross-dimensional issues; raises the awareness for gender mainstreaming and promoting the utilization of available instruments and tools for gender mainstreaming;
2. Provides advice and inputs on priority issues of gender equality, including to senior management; gives advice and guidance to the OSCE structures, in particular the field missions on gender mainstreaming in internal staff rules and regulations;
3. Assists field operations, institutions and Secretariat departments in designing projects and implementing gender equality projects; monitors their activities in the framework of OSCE commitments in the area of gender equality and the priority areas of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality; designs and implements projects and initiatives for the promotion of gender equality within the Gender Issues Programme (GIP);
4. Contributes to the development of training material for staff members and develops capacities on mainstreaming gender in cross dimensional issues and in the human dimension;
5. Performs other relevant assignments as requested.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• A first-level university degree in gender studies, women’s studies, social sciences, political sciences, law studies, human rights, international relations or relevant related field;
• A minimum of seven years (five years with a relevant second-level degree) of professional experience in gender issues, human rights in relation to gender equality, violence against women and girls and women’s empowerment;
• Demonstrated experience in programme management in bi- or multilateral development or other organizations, including field operations;
• Experience applying international texts and conventions related to gender equality and concepts of technical co-operation;
• Experience supporting human rights commitments and international practice. Experience in the field of women with disabilities, minority women and engaging men for gender quality would be an advantage;
• Experience applying knowledge of methodology of gender analysis, gender audits and gender mainstreaming;
• Experience applying conceptual and strategic skills to analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of gender related issues;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region 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;
• 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 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 open for secondment, 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 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.