Director of the Transnational Threats Department

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. It operates in 57 participating States across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. The organization addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, human rights, national minorities, and counter-terrorism. The OSCE Secretariat, which includes the Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), was established to ensure better coordination and coherence of action in addressing transnational threats. The TNTD supports the Secretary General in coordinating OSCE-wide programmatic activities related to countering transnational threats, ensuring effective use of resources, and fostering collaboration among various OSCE executive structures.

Job Overview:
The Director of the Transnational Threats Department will report directly to the Secretary General and will be part of the OSCE’s senior leadership team. This position requires providing strategic vision and leadership in a complex and rapidly evolving security environment. The Director will be responsible for leading and managing the TNTD, ensuring effective planning, delivery, and evaluation of its work program. The role involves enhancing the OSCE’s effectiveness in addressing transnational threats by providing strategic advice on major policy issues and operational improvements. The Director will also support coordination across OSCE executive structures, focusing on empowering field operations in addressing transnational threats. This position requires a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment, promoting diversity and inclusion in all departmental activities, and contributing to high-level reports on OSCE-wide efforts against transnational threats. The Director will represent the OSCE at senior-level meetings and forums, strengthening internal coordination and collaboration across OSCE structures and leading engagement with international and regional organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key duties and responsibilities of the Director of the Transnational Threats Department include:

• Leadership & Management: Lead and manage the TNTD, ensuring effective planning, delivery, and evaluation of its work program.
• Advising the Secretary General: Support coordination across OSCE executive structures, focusing on empowering field operations in addressing transnational threats. Provide expert guidance on the full TNT mandate, including complex and sensitive issues. Contribute to high-level reports to participating States on OSCE-wide TNT efforts. Represent OSCE at senior-level meetings and TNT forums as requested.
• People & Culture: Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and motivating work environment. Promote diversity and inclusion in all departmental activities.
• Policy & Decision-Making: Contribute to and follow up on TNT-related decisions by participating States.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthen internal coordination and collaboration across OSCE structures. Lead OSCE engagement with international and regional organizations to enhance joint action on TNT.
• Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as required by the Secretary General.

Required Qualifications:
The necessary qualifications for this position include an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field; or equivalent relevant work experience, such as being a career ambassador. A first-level degree, in combination with a recognized professional certification and relevant extensive professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates must have a minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international affairs, security policy, law enforcement cooperation, or transnational threat management. Political sensitivity, mature judgment, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex programs are essential. Experience integrating emerging technologies, including AI and data analytics, into security policy is also required. Familiarity with digital trends relevant to security and transnational threat management, knowledge of OSCE structures and consensus-based processes, and a strong background in working with civil society and diverse stakeholders are assets. Candidates must demonstrate excellent strategic thinking, political judgment, negotiation skills, and proven leadership and change management abilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level degree combined with a recognized professional certification and extensive relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international affairs, security policy, law enforcement cooperation, or transnational threat management. This experience should demonstrate the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex programs effectively.

Languages:
Professional fluency in English with outstanding drafting and communication skills is mandatory. A working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract at the senior management level (Grade D1) and is full-time. The monthly remuneration is around EUR 12,900, with the actual salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria, and social benefits include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale, with the possibility of an initial appointment at up to Step 3 in exceptional cases. The OSCE is committed to gender equality and encourages female candidates to apply. The maximum period of service in this post is 4 years, and appointments are subject to medical clearance. The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions.