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.

Free expression and free media are basic human rights. To ensure compliance with media-freedom commitments agreed upon by participating States, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) was established in December 1997. The function of the Representative is to observe relevant media developments in OSCE participating States with a view to providing early warning on violations of freedom of expression. The Representative concentrates on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States. In case of serious problems caused, for instance, by obstruction of media activities and unfavourable working conditions for journalists, the Representative seeks direct contacts with the participating State and other parties involved, assesses the facts and contributes to the resolution of the issue. Another task is to assist participating States by advocating and promoting full compliance with OSCE principles and commitments regarding freedom of expression and free media. Assistance is typically provided in the form of legal analyses of legislation, organizing conferences and roundtables during which best practices are shared and promoted, preparing topical publications and guidebooks on media freedom matters and providing training seminars for media and government officials.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Principal Adviser to the Head of Institution (HoI) will support the HoI in fulfilling and implementing her/his mandate and will provide the RFoM with reliable and timely advice on all political and strategical matters arising in the context of the mandate.

The Principal Adviser to the Heads of Institution works under the supervision of the Director of the Office and operationally interacts directly with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following:

Under the direct supervision of the RFoM:

1. Acting as executive representative of the RFoM on all work in the office;
2. Supporting the RFoM with the implementation of the mandate by politically prioritizing programs in the field of freedom of expression and media freedom;
3. Determining thematic issues that need to be addressed, including formulating reactions and responses to politically sensitive developments and advising the RFoM on the involvement and possible consequences of any course of action to be taken;
4. Advising the Representative on media freedom matters, particularly with regard to political, legal and policy developments affecting the media;
5. Establishing contact with governmental officials, international organizations, NGOs and other OSCE executive structures in furtherance of RFoM’s mandate and priorities;
6. Assessing and interpreting major media policy issues, procedures and practices and ensuring timely follow-up on the implementation of media freedom related decisions and policies;
7. Examining political, technological and policy developments affecting the free flow of information and media pluralism and identify problematic areas to be addressed by the RFoM; proposing politically appropriate action and reaction in cases of possible violations of OSCE media freedom commitments.

Under the direct supervision of the Director:

1. Supervising the implementation of projects and ensure that projects and programs are in line with the mandate as well as with the political aim of the RFoM;
2. Supporting the fund-raising, development, implementation and financial administration of projects on media freedom and ensure they are in line with the mandate; collaborating with the Director on project reporting and evaluation; liaising, in co-operation with the Director, with donors and participating States, on extra-budgetary contributions for projects funded from outside the office, including relevant financial activities relating to project proposals and extra-budgetary contributions;
3. Commissioning comprehensive analyses, reports and assessment papers and developing new approaches to protect freedom of expression online and in traditional media from colleagues in the office and provide expert advice thereon;
4. Preparing policy papers on specific thematic, geographic or cross-dimensional media developments.

In close co-operation with the Director:
1. Recommending office strategies and policy, preparing background information and reports;
2. Representing the RFoM at closed and public international conferences, meetings, workshops, roundtables; delivering statements, papers, speeches and public statements reflecting the RFoM’s priorities and position with regard to freedom of expression and media pluralism in new media;
3. Liaising with OSCE field presences, other international organizations, media, NGOs and developing and maintaining contacts with high level government officials, OSCE delegations, etc.;
4. Liaising with and supervising consultants, experts and project staff working outside the Office, particularly in regard to the implementation of projects and the production of commissioned reports, publications and studies;
5. Supervising four P-level staff;
6. Performing other related duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, please see https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media

Necessary Qualifications:

Second-level university degree in political science, international relations, law, journalism 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;
Managerial and administrative experience;
A minimum of ten years (twelve years with a relevant first-level degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of freedom of expression, media freedom advocacy, human rights, or other related fields, including experience at the international level within the OSCE or another international organization;
Solid experience in multi-lateral diplomacy;
Experience in field presence is an asset;
Sound knowledge of and experience with relevant information technologies and the OSCE’s history and institutional structure;
Ability to work in a deadline-driven and within a multi-cultural environment;
Ability to guide/lead staff and motivate team and proven experience in this area;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other official OSCE languages is desirable;
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 a team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

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 Representative on Freedom of the Media
Requisition ID: SEC000838
Contract Type: International Secondment
Grade: S
Job Type: Seconded
Number of posts: 1
Location: SEC - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Vienna
Issue Date: Jul 3, 2025
Closing Date: Jul 31, 2025
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Schedule: Full-time
Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
Job Field: Media Affairs
Target Start Date: As soon as possible