Associate Procurement Officer

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.

This position is funded through Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project No. 1102667 focused on the ‘Prevention of human trafficking for labour exploitation in supply chains’ at the Office of Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (OSR/CTHB). The project runs until end of December 2028.

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 Mission Support Section (MSS) provides the working framework for OSCE’s procurement and contracting, assets, logistics, transport, travel and facilities management activities. It also acts as the policy development and co-ordination point for resource administration in the OSCE’s Executive Structures in relation to these activities, including providing on-site assistance and technical training programmes. The Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (SR/CTHB) represents the OSCE at the political level on anti-trafficking issues. It also assists OSCE participating States in the implementation of commitments and full usage of recommendations set forth in the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. In order to fulfil the tasks outlined in this vacancy, the incumbent will work closely with both the Procurement Division at MSS/DMF, and SR/CTHB.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Procurement and Contracting Unit (C/PCU), as Associate Procurement Officer, you will provide all services and functions covering the support and guidance on procurement issues and processes to all OSCE staff and for the procurement of goods and services required by the OSCE Secretariat, or OSCE field operations, in accordance with OSCE financial Regulations and Rules, established procurement policies and procedures and relevant administrative instructions. The position is designed to provide expertise and resources required to meet supply chain obligations under MC Decision No. 6/17 “Strengthening Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings.”

More specifically, you will be tasked with the following:

- Assisting in incorporating sustainable procurement objectives throughout the full procurement cycle and/or CRMS updates as needed, with a focus on sustainable procurement, compliance and risk management. Providing recommendations for integration of plans into practice and develop resources for improvement. This includes the implementation of best practices and training campaigns in various formats;
- Supporting the design, development, testing, implementation, maintenance and documentation of sustainable procurement data tools, including dashboards and reports. Conduct rigorous data quality checks;
- Assisting in organizing, facilitating, and/or delivering training and presentations for OSCE procurement personnel and occasionally external stakeholders (e.g., UN stakeholders, suppliers etc.). In this regard, co-ordinating and supporting the work of OSR and PCU related to the UN Procurement Network (PN) Working Group on Sustainable Procurement and its Task Force on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour in supply chains;
- Acting as a PCU focal point for combating human trafficking and labour exploitation data and CTHB Action Plan implementation. Advising on integration with annual procurement plans and the use of templates and resources provided. Co-ordinating, managing, reporting, recording transparently and presenting the results of OSCE implementation of the executive structures’ CTHB Action Plans. Supporting development of communication material for external stakeholders;
- Conducting market research to stay informed of sustainable developments and available resources in the area of sustainable procurement. Analysing statistical data and relevant commercial trends, particularly related to THB and Labour Exploitation thematic areas;
- Planning, developing, and managing sourcing requirements end-to-end for goods, services or works required for the ExB project and as time allows for OSCE Secretariat clients. This task must be in line with the OSCE Common Regulatory Manag