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.

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 CPC supports and co-ordinates the OSCE’s activities in the field, providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and 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 post is located in the Planning and Analysis Team (PAT) within the OSCE Secretariat’s Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC)/Operations Service (OS). Within the CPC, the Operations Service covers a broad variety of tasks, such as operational planning for the set-up, restructuring, and closure of field operations; analysis in the fields of early warning, early action, conflict prevention, crisis management, conflict resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, peacebuilding and issues that cut across the conflict cycle; the identification of lessons and best practices; operational liaison with other international organizations; and maintaining a 24/7 Situation/Communications Room.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Operational Support Officer will support in providing operational and methodological guidance on conflict cycle issues. This will include the development of concepts and plans to operationalize the various phases of the conflict cycle and acting as the OS focal point for co-ordinating the OSCE-wide Network of Early Warning Focal Points. She/he will work to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of OSCE conflict cycle tools, developing with other relevant staff in-depth analyses of geo-political developments/trends and recommend appropriate responses thereto.

Working with moderate autonomy, the Operational Support Officer’s main responsibilities lie in providing analytical and operational support to Secretariat senior management and the Chairpersonship in the fields of early warning, early action, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, peacebuilding, cross-cutting issues, confidence-building measures and other OSCE tools, mechanisms and procedures. Additionally, he/she will collect and analyse OSCE lessons by conducting end-of-assignment debriefings for senior OSCE officials and the Chairpersonship, and by preparing lessons learned/best practice reports. She/he will also support the Chairpersonship in the organization of and follow up to the Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC).

The Operational Support Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Operational Adviser and under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre for Operations Service.

Specifically, the Operational Support Officer will be tasked with the following:

Supporting in addressing the various phases of the conflict cycle (early warning, early action, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, peacebuilding, and cross-cutting issues) and developing/contributing to operational, and methodological advice related to the conflict cycle, confidence-building measures and other OSCE tools, mechanisms and procedures. This work includes contributing to operational planning and support, including the development or update of operational guidelines, templates, standard operating procedures, and other planning documents related to OSCE field activities, and crisis response preparedness activities, as required;
Serving as the OS focal point for early warning; co-ordinating the OSCE-wide Network of Early Warning Focal Points; providing methodological guidance/support on early warning processes and conflict analysis tools; analysing critical geo-political developments/trends and recommending appropriate responses thereto, contributing to CPC advice for Secretariat senior management and the Chairpersonship;
Drafting briefs, speeches, speaking points and concepts on operational and conflict cycle issues; developing proposals to operationalize those concepts in the OSCE context and to enhance OSCE conflict cycle capacities; attending meetings, conferences and workshops relevant to the conflict cycle; identifying the main issues of importance and drafting accurate and concise reports;
Identifying and analysing OSCE lessons and best practices by debriefing departing senior officials from OSCE field operations, the Secretary General, the OSCE Chairpersonship, and other relevant staff to enhance the effectiveness and impact of OSCE policies and programmes and to preserve institutional memory; preparing/reviewing periodic/thematic lessons learned reports; exchanging lessons and best practices with internal OSCE stakeholders and relevant international and national partners;
Co-ordinating analytical and organizational support for the OSCE Chair and Secretariat senior management on the ASRC; providing background material for the discussions during the ASRC, as required; supporting the Chair in drafting the ASRC report and in the implementation of relevant proposals made at the ASRC;
Performing other related tasks as assigned.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

Second-level university degree in political science, international relations or a geo-political 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 progressively responsible professional experience in international relations, political- or policy-oriented analysis, knowledge management, planning, evaluation or a related field with a government agency, a national or international organization or a non-governmental organization;
Experience in an international environment in the field would be an important asset;
Established thematic expertise in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, and peacebuilding as well as familiarity with the relevant international efforts in these fields;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
Knowledge of another official OSCE language would be desirable;
Strategic thinking skills to be able to analyse geo-political trends and developments; to identify and to operationalize strategic issues, opportunities and risks; and to understand and integrate political sensitivities;
Demonstrated political acumen, research and analytical skills to be able to analyse geo-political developments/trends and to conduct and train others in conflict analysis;
Knowledge of operational planning methodology, confidence-building measures and other related tools, mechanisms and procedures;
Demonstrated ability to analyse experiences and international practices in order to identify lessons and to develop and report on best practices;
Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
Ability to work in a team and establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications and experience in maintaining and updating databases.

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.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of 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.

Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
Requisition ID: SEC000810
Contract Type: International Secondment
Grade: S
Job Type: Seconded
Number of posts: 1
Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
Issue Date: Oct 3, 2025
Closing Date: Oct 31, 2025
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Schedule: Full-time
Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
Job Field: Political Affairs
Target Start Date: As soon as possible