Internal Communications 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 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 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 Affairs, 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 Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Communication and Media Relations Section (COMMS) supports and advises the Secretary General and the OSCE Chairmanship on media and public relations activities and informs the public about the work of the OSCE. COMMS also serves as the focal point for public statements and other communication material from OSCE Institutions and field operations. COMMS produces and disseminates press releases, information materials and regular publications, maintains the public website, the Organization’s social media presence and promotes the OSCE’s values, principles and work.

**Tasks and Responsibilities**:
Under the direct supervision of the Spokesperson/Head of COMMS, the incumbent performs the following functions:
Initiating and developing internal messages/messaging, co-ordinating and advising on internal communication activities and products, developing campaigns towards staff and affiliate personnel (interns, junior professional officers and others) and considering other means to increase the flow of information in the OSCE Secretariat and the Organization as a whole;
Planning, producing and distributing a regular internal newsletter to staff across the Organization;
Setting up and driving an internal communication working group, consisting of colleagues from various departments, Institutions and field operations;
Supporting the Organization in communicating major structural and organizational changes across a broad range of channels by devising appropriate messaging strategies and devices;
Conducting quantitative and qualitative evaluations of projects and products, to ensure continued improvement in OSCE communications practice;
Contributing to external communication activities, specifically by taking part in a media duty roster;
Performing other duties as required, including participating in a duty roster.

**Necessary Qualifications**:
First-level university degree in journalism, communications, political science, international affairs, or another related field;
A minimum of six years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications (including social media, digital communications, media relations, public relations and advocacy), preferably in an international organisation or non-governmental organisation;
Experience using political judgement and analytical skills and convincingly presenting the activities and achievements of the Organisation to media representatives;
Experience drafting communications material, and editing material prepared by others, preparing and revising substantive content, and producing polished finished documents for disseminations;
Experience providing presentations at meetings and workshops;
Professional fluency in English, both written and oral; Knowledge of another OSCE official language 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;

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.

**Issued by**: OSCE Mission to Sk