Senior External Co-operation Officer

**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 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 Documentation 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 External Co-operation Section is part of the Policy Cluster in the Office of the Secretary General and is the first point of contact at headquarters level for liaison and co-operation with international, regional and sub-regional organizations and institutions. It is also responsible for the strengthening and operationalizing of the OSCE’s interaction with the 11 states representing the Asian and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation. The External Co-operation Section further contributes to policy analysis and advice, and supports the Secretary General and the Chairperson-in-Office in the development of OSCE strategies and policies.

**Tasks and Responsibilities**:
Under the supervision of the Head, External Co-operation Section, the Senior External Co-operation Officer will be responsible for:
Maintaining and actively building contacts with international, regional and sub-regional organizations and initiatives which the OSCE interacts with;
Drafting statements, press releases, food-for-thought and perception papers, as well as speeches for the Secretary General and the Chairperson-in-Office; writing analytical and background papers and compiling files and relevant working documents;
Providing policy analysis, advice, and support to the Secretary General and the Chairperson-in-Office, and supporting the development of OSCE strategies and policies in the relevant areas of responsibility;
Overseeing and assisting in the preparation and organization of OSCE seminars, conferences and meetings with partner organizations;
Assisting the Head of the Section in the managerial co-ordination of activities of the Section, when requested;
Representing the OSCE Secretariat by giving speeches, lectures and by participating in international conferences and seminars;
Performing other related duties as required.

**Necessary Qualifications**:
Second-level university degree in political science, international relations, business administration, international law or other related field; 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;
Eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in government, international organizations or research institutions operating in the field of political science, international relations, business administration, international law or other related field;
Thorough knowledge of security and international co-operation issues;
Ability to identify and analyze problems and complex and sensitive issues, and to propose and/or take corrective action;
Excellent diplomatic and problem-solving skills; tact and diplomacy in dealing with senior officials and government representatives; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement; ability to plan and organize work;
Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would is 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.
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