Senior Programme Assistant G6

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a prominent international organization that focuses on promoting peace, stability, and democracy in its member states. Established in 1975, the OSCE has grown to encompass 57 participating states across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The organization operates through various field missions and institutions, with the OSCE Mission to Skopje being one of its longest-serving operations. The mission is dedicated to fostering social cohesion, fundamental rights, gender equality, the rule of law, good governance, integrity, anti-corruption, criminal justice, and police reform in North Macedonia. The OSCE employs a diverse workforce and is committed to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Assistant G6 position at the OSCE Mission to Skopje is a critical role that supports the Chief of Community Outreach (CO) in various administrative and programmatic functions. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting research, data collection, and analysis, which will aid in the preparation of decision memoranda, strategic papers, and project proposals. This role requires drafting, compiling, and reviewing various forms of documentation, ensuring that all materials are accurate, complete, and compliant with established requirements. The Senior Programme Assistant will also support the development and delivery of project activities, ensuring that programme reports are prepared accurately and submitted on time. Additionally, the position involves financial and administrative processes, including budget planning and monitoring, as well as maintaining professional relationships with stakeholders and partners to facilitate effective collaboration and programme delivery. The role demands strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive information.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct research, data collection, and analysis to support the preparation of decision memoranda, strategic papers, and project proposals. Draft, compile, and review correspondence, meeting notes, talking points, briefing materials, reports, submissions, and other documentation for the Chief of CO, ensuring completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with established requirements. Coordinate revisions and clearances as necessary prior to submission.
• Support the development and delivery of project activities, preparing programme reports by compiling, verifying, and synthesizing inputs from CO colleagues, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with programme objectives prior to submission to the Chief of CO for review.
• Contribute to and, as assigned, lead project-related financial and administrative processes, including budget planning, monitoring, and reporting; prepare procurement requests, ensuring compliance with organizational rules and procedures.
• Maintain and develop professional relationships with stakeholders and partners; coordinate joint activities, facilitate communication and information-sharing, and support effective collaboration and programme delivery.
• Coordinate the timely flow of information to and from the Programme; screen and prioritize incoming correspondence and requests, identifying matters requiring the Chief of CO's attention or decision, tracking resulting decisions, deadlines, and follow-up actions, and liaising with responsible colleagues and Mission Programmes/Units to obtain inputs and ensure timely follow-up, keeping the Chief of CO informed of outstanding actions and emerging issues.
• Provide administrative and programme support to the Chief of CO, including managing and coordinating the Chief’s schedule and meetings, organizing internal and external engagements, preparing agendas and supporting materials, and anticipating and coordinating administrative and programme-related requirements.
• Provide written and oral translation and interpretation for programme-related materials and meetings, ensuring accurate and effective communication between stakeholders.
• Manage CO’s archive and records management and act as CO’s Correspondence Focal Point, ensuring appropriate filing, tracking, retrieval, and handling of official correspondence and documentation.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess citizenship of or permanent residence in the Republic of North Macedonia. A completed secondary education is required, supplemented with specialized training in project management, administration, accounting, economics, law, and/or languages. A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in administrative or programme support functions is essential, including experience providing administrative, executive, or coordination support to managers, preferably within an international organization. Candidates should have sound knowledge of project management, including accounting, budgeting, and financial management, as well as administrative and organizational procedures. Strong organizational and coordination skills are necessary, along with the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and maintain strong attention to detail. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work with a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, and autonomy, particularly in handling sensitive or confidential information. Strong drafting and communication skills are required, including experience preparing and reviewing correspondence, briefings, reports, meeting materials, and other documentation for management. Knowledge and good understanding of local dynamics and community issues are also important, as well as the ability to conduct research, analysis, and reporting. Proven ability to translate and interpret between English and local language(s) is necessary, along with being computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft Office applications. Candidates should be willing to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different genders, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity. Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a completed secondary education, which is essential. Additionally, specialized training in relevant fields such as project management, administration, accounting, economics, law, and/or languages is highly desirable. This educational foundation will equip candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively perform the duties associated with the Senior Programme Assistant role.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in administrative or programme support functions. This experience should include providing administrative, executive, or coordination support to managers, preferably within an international organization. The role demands a solid understanding of project management principles, including budgeting and financial management, as well as administrative and organizational procedures. Candidates should also have a proven track record of managing multiple tasks and deadlines effectively, demonstrating strong organizational and coordination skills.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in both English and the local language(s) of North Macedonia. Candidates must have the proven ability to translate and interpret between these languages, ensuring effective communication among stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, but proficiency in English and the local language(s) is essential for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered as a fixed-term contract at the G6 grade level within the OSCE's General Services category. The role is full-time, and the monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 1,975.00, subject to social security deductions. Social benefits include participation in the Cigna medical insurance and the OSCE Provident Fund. Appointments are typically made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale, although in exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered based on relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Candidates should be aware that the OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise or cancel the vacancy, offer an appointment at a lower grade, or modify the job description or duration. Only candidates selected for further stages of recruitment will be contacted. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Additionally, candidates should be aware that OSCE officials are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant, maintaining the highest ethical standards.