Associate Project Officer (P2)

Background:

This is an extra-budgetary position. The initial contract will be for one year, renewable until the project ends. The expected duration of the project is until end of 2028, and the selected candidate should commit to being available for the duration of the project.

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.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR's assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR's mandate.

Among ODIHR’s main fields of activity is election observation as well as a large number of assistance projects in the areas of democratic institution building. The post is an extra-budgetary (ExB) post, located within the Elections Department, and established under the project Enhancing Electoral Reform in the Western Balkans.

The project is envisaged for the period 2025 - 2028, and it builds on the earlier ODIHR initiative “Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans” project implemented by ODIHR between 2021 and 2025. It is designed to support the implementation of the recommendations stemming from of ODIHR and EU electoral observation activities in the Western Balkans region.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Project Co-ordinator the selected candidate will support efficient implementation of the project, in particular by performing the following duties:

1. Planning and implementing project activities, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and achievement of expected results, identifying implementation challenges, proposing practical adjustments to work plans, and escalating issues requiring managerial decision;
2. Co-ordinating substantive inputs and expert contributions by working closely with Election Department staff and external experts to ensure timely, accurate and high-quality technical support to project activities, including drafting agendas, tracking task delivery, and providing first-level feedback on outputs in line with agreed terms of reference;
3. Implementing monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities by defining and applying project indicators, collecting and analysing data from activities and evaluations, synthesizing findings, and drafting sections of donor and internal progress reports with actionable recommendations to improve delivery and results;
4. Conducting research and analytical work on regional and country-specific developments relevant to electoral processes and OSCE commitments, compiling and analysing legal, technical and contextual information, drafting background notes, country papers and talking points, and integrating analytical findings into project planning and stakeholder engagement;
5. Preparing and maintaining substantive project documentation by drafting concept notes, background papers, agendas and terms of reference for experts, organizing and maintaining project records in accordance with OSCE documentation standards, and identifying opportunities to improve documentation and knowledge-management practices;
6. Supporting stakeholder co-ordination and project visibility by organizing meetings, workshops and consultations with national authorities, civil society and international partners, ensuring appropriate project visibility in line with OSCE and donor requirements, contributing to the development of professional networks, and participating in regional activities and missions as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, please see: https://odihr.osce.org/

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in international relations, public administration, law, or social sciences is required;
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of elections, democracy or other human rights issues;
• Experience promoting human rights and democracy from an international institutional base, including experience at the international level in an advisory or operational function, particularly in the area of elections;
• Experience implementing capacity-building and institution-building strategies;
• Field experience, preferably in the region of the OSCE targeted by the project, and co-operation with international organizations at the field and headquarters level;
• Proven experience of working with national or international experts and implementing partner organizations;
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and experience in integrating a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, working knowledge of language(s) spoken in the project’s geographical area is an advantage;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 5,500 depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or 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.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 62 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Additional Information

• Issued by: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
• Requisition ID: ODI000282
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P2
• Job Level: Professional
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: ODI - Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw
• Issue Date: Mar 11, 2026
• Closing Date: Apr 8, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible