Operational Support Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1975, with a mission to promote peace, stability, and democracy in Europe. The OSCE has 57 participating States and operates in various countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The organization focuses on a comprehensive approach to security that includes politico-military, economic, environmental, and human aspects. The OSCE Secretariat, located in Vienna, provides operational and administrative support to field operations and other institutions, assisting the Chairpersonship in its activities. The organization emphasizes consensus decision-making among its member states, ensuring equal status for all participating States.

Job Overview:
The Operational Support Officer position is a critical role within the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC), specifically located in the Planning and Analysis Team (PAT). The officer will provide operational and methodological guidance on various phases of the conflict cycle, including early warning, early action, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, and peacebuilding. The role requires the development of concepts and plans to operationalize these phases and enhance the effectiveness of OSCE conflict cycle tools. The officer will work closely with senior management and the Chairpersonship, providing analytical support and recommendations based on geopolitical developments. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues related to conflict and security, as well as the ability to draft reports, briefs, and proposals that contribute to the OSCE's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operational Support Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting the development of operational and methodological advice related to the conflict cycle and confidence-building measures.
• Serving as the focal point for early warning processes, coordinating the OSCE-wide Network of Early Warning Focal Points.
• Analyzing geopolitical trends and recommending responses to enhance OSCE conflict cycle capacities.
• Drafting briefs, speeches, and reports on operational and conflict cycle issues.
• Conducting debriefings with senior officials to gather lessons learned and best practices.
• Coordinating support for the Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC) and assisting in the preparation of relevant materials.
• Performing other related tasks as assigned by senior management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a second-level university degree in political science, international relations, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience will also be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations, political analysis, or a related field. Established expertise in early warning, conflict prevention, and crisis management is essential, along with excellent communication skills in English. Knowledge of another official OSCE language is desirable, as is the ability to analyze geopolitical developments and integrate political sensitivities into operational planning.

Educational Background:
The position requires a second-level university degree (Master's degree) in political science, international relations, or a related field. Candidates with a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) and two additional years of relevant experience will also be considered. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of international relations and the operational aspects of conflict management.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations, political analysis, or a related field. If the candidate holds a first-level university degree, a minimum of seven years of relevant experience is required. Experience in an international environment, particularly in conflict-related fields, is considered an important asset for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of another official OSCE language is considered desirable, as it would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the organization's multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an international secondment, and candidates must be nominated by their respective participating States. The OSCE emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. The maximum period of service in this post is 10 years, and candidates should be aware that appointments are subject to medical clearance. The OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process, and all costs related to the assignment must be borne by the nominating authority. The position is full-time, with a target start date as soon as possible.