Economic Affairs 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 operates in 57 participating States across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, and has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses 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 OSCE's Economic and Environmental Activities Office (OCEEA) focuses on economic prosperity and environmental cooperation as a means to enhance international security and stability.

Job Overview:
The Economic Affairs Officer position is a newly proposed role within the OSCE, specifically designed to support the implementation of the organization's mandate on economic cooperation and development. This role is crucial in designing and managing projects that promote good governance, responsible investment, and private sector partnerships across the OSCE region. The Economic Affairs Officer will work towards strengthening regional economic integration, trade facilitation, and public-private collaboration, which are essential tools for enhancing security and sustainable development. The incumbent will be responsible for building partnerships with national authorities, international organizations, and private sector actors, providing expert analysis and policy advice, and ensuring coordination across economic governance-related activities within the OSCE. The position requires a proactive approach, as the officer will work with minimal supervision and will report directly to the Senior Economic Officer, with the Deputy Coordinator/Head of Economic Activities acting as the second-level supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economic Affairs Officer will undertake a variety of tasks, including:

• Strengthening the business, trade, and investment climate by providing advice and developing activities aimed at promoting a transparent and vibrant business environment.
• Identifying and establishing partnerships with international economic organizations, NGOs, and private sector associations to enhance cooperation mechanisms.
• Engaging with national and regional authorities to communicate OCEEA's economic priorities and identify potential collaborators.
• Developing concepts for new projects and conducting assessments to design effective project plans.
• Overseeing project implementation, ensuring compliance with OSCE's financial and administrative rules.
• Mapping funding opportunities and supporting fundraising efforts for projects.
• Carrying out other duties as assigned by supervisors, ensuring that all activities align with the OSCE's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, or a related field. A recognized project management certification is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in economic affairs or international development at the international level, with a strong background in project and program development, stakeholder management, and partnerships. A solid understanding of economic governance issues, particularly in regional economic cooperation, investment promotion, and trade facilitation, is essential. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory, and knowledge of another OSCE language, especially Russian, is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The position requires a first-level university degree, which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree, in a relevant field such as Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, or International Law. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of economic governance and international development, which are central to the role of the Economic Affairs Officer.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in economic affairs or international development, with at least five years of experience if they hold a relevant second-level degree. This experience should include project and program development and management, stakeholder management, and partnerships, demonstrating a solid understanding of economic governance issues and regional economic cooperation.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of another OSCE language, particularly Russian, is considered an asset and would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders within the OSCE framework.

Additional Notes:
This position is a seconded role, meaning it is open only to candidates from participating States, and all costs related to the assignment must be borne by the nominating authorities. The OSCE emphasizes diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from various backgrounds to apply. The maximum period of service in this post is ten years, and candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards as international civil servants. The OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process, and appointments are subject to medical clearance.