Policy Support 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.

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 Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

The Policy Support Service (PSS) serves as the Organization's primary point of contact on all matters concerning field operations; it monitors the implementation of the mandates of the individual field operations and advises the SG and the Chairpersonship on related policy and operational issues. It also analyses early-warning signals regarding the situation in the field and recommends the implementation of relevant preventive or reactive action. Support provided to the SG and the Chairpersonship includes background information, policy support and advice, input to speeches and travel files as well as drafting summary records. PSS facilitates the co-ordination of programmes and activities among field operations and with those of OSCE specialized units within the Secretariat and institutions and assists field operations with their input to the budget cycle process. PSS also provides support for the Chairperson-in-Office's representatives dealing with protracted conflicts and related formats.

The PSS is composed of four regional desks covering Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be a member of the Central Asia Desk. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Support Officer and the general guidance of the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service, as Policy Support Officer, you will carry out the following duties:

- Monitoring and analysing developments in the region and contributing to the formulation of relevant policy advice;
- Following up on actions to ensure the flow of information among the Central Asia field operations, the Chairperson-in-Office, the Delegations and the Secretariat;
- Actively monitoring the implementation of the mandates assigned to the Central Asia field operations;
- Supporting the performance-based programme budgeting process as necessary;
- Contributing to research on selected political topics, drafting background papers and reports, and compiling briefing material;
- Attending meetings and writing summaries, notes, and reports for internal distribution;
- Preparing visits of the Chairpersonship and senior OSCE officials to the region; accompanying high-level visits to the region and drafting reports on these visits;
- In co-operation with the Programming and Evaluation Support Unit and the field operations, developing, managing, reviewing, and providing support to managers of extra-budgetary projects in furtherance of OSCE work in the region;
- Performing other related duties, including participating in CPC-related events and contributing to CPC-related tasks or projects as required.

Necessary Qualifications:

- Second-level university degree in political sciences, public or international law, international relations or another related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
- A minimum of five years (seven years with a relevant first-level degree) of professional experience in government, international affairs, law, or other relevant professional field; regional expertise would be distinct asset;
- Work experience in a diplomatic service and/or international organization would be an important asset;
- Project management experience and skills would be an asset;
- Excellent oral communication skills, including ability to brief complex topics to varying audiences;
- Outstanding written communication and analysis skills;
- Proven resourcefu