Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an assignment at the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media 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 Senior Adviser advises the RFoM and his Office on all issues related to media freedom, including relevant international standards and laws. This includes regularly assessing development affecting the media in a designated region; bringing to the attention of the Representative undue restrictions on media freedom and attacks against journalists and news media, in- particular when met with impunity; and preparing public statements, letters or other types of interventions, as agreed with the Representative.

Furthermore, the Senior Adviser monitors compliance of participating States with OSCE and international commitments in the area of media freedom, advising the RFoM and the Office on strategies to promote and support said compliance.

Furthermore, the Senior Adviser monitors compliance of participating States with OSCE and international commitments in the area of media freedom, advising the RFoM and the Office on strategies to promote and support said compliance.

The Senior Adviser works under the supervision of the Principal Adviser and operationally interacts directly with the Director of the Office and the Head of Institution.

More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following:

Contributing to the monitoring of compliance of participating States (pS) with OSCE freedom of media commitments;
On a daily basis, verifying incoming information, analysing the political and legal situation in each country with regard to freedom of the media and initiating and supervising additional research on political background. Advising, on the basis of the RFoM Mandate, whether action should be considered by the Head of Institution (HoI);
Submitting recommendations for action to the HoI in accordance with the Mandate of the Office, including reviewing draft letters of intervention, prepared by supervised staff members to presidents, foreign ministers, ambassadors or other high officials of the country concerned;
Supervising the investigation of individual cases of persecuted journalists and media outlets and recommending activities to alleviate and/or end the harassment;
Assessing whether media freedom and legislative developments are in line with OSCE and international standards on media freedom and freedom of expression;
Contributing to regular reports by the RFoM for the OSCE Permanent Council; Contributing to reports on country visits conducted by the RFoM, including serving as editorial focal point for visits to designated region; Compiling and editing special reports on specific topics related to freedom of the media;
Establishing and maintaining contacts with relevant State officials, international organizations and institutions, as well as with specialized NGOs and the OSCE field presences, on issues of relevance to the RFoM's mandate;
Monitoring media freedom violations by: a) reviewing relevant networks, correspondents and media freedom advocacy contacts and maintaining regular contacts with journalists’ associations in the designated region; b) analyzing public policies, legislations and state practices affecting freedom of the media in the designated region; c) following political and legal developments affecting freedom of expression in the designated region and preparing comprehensive analyses, notes and reports;
Representing the Office at seminars, conferences and meetings, including delivering statements, papers and speeches reflecting the position of the RFoM with regard to freedom of expression and free media;
Liaising with consultants and experts outside of RFOM, especially when supervising the production of commissioned reports or studies;
In close contact with the public outreach colleagues, planning and organizing public relations activities to promote better understanding of the RFOM's aims and activities, including maintaining close contacts with OSCE missions;
Co-ordinating and managing relevant financial activities (project proposals, auditing of activities, budget contributions, evaluation, reporting);
Performing other duties as assigned, also outside the designated region.

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 international relations, law, political science, or another related field. A first-level university degree in a relevant field may be accepted with an additional two years of relevant experience;
Minimum 7 years (9 years with a first-level university degree) of relevant professional experience;
Practical experience in the defence and promotion of media freedom and international standards;
Knowledge about the working methods of media professionals and media outlets;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other official OSCE languages is desirable;
Good communication skills combined with sound political judgment;
Experience in handling relevant information technologies (social media, etc.) is essential;
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: SEC000868
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: Sep 5, 2025
Closing Date: Oct 6, 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