Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit (P4)

Background:

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 OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget, Finance and Compliance Section, Mission Support Services Section and Information and Communication Technology Services Section.

The Budget, Finance and Compliance Section is responsible for co-ordinating and supporting the programme planning and budgeting process in general, including providing policy guidance and support to the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and Field Operations, and for management of the Organization's finances. The Budget, Finance and Compliance Section consists of the Accounts and Treasury Unit, the Integrated Resource Management Unit and the Compliance and Management Support Unit. The position belongs to the Accounts and Treasury Unit.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit works as a financial accountant, preparing OSCE Financial Statements in accordance with IPSAS and managing their progress through external audit; acting as functional manager, managing accounts payable, receivable and payments in line with financial rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and; the main OSCE Treasurer, responsible for cash and treasury management and management of assessed contributions from participating States.

The incumbent will supervise and manage the Accounts and Treasury Unit to deliver its outputs and co-ordinating innovation and process improvements with the use of new technology and best practices.

The Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit will directly report to the Director of Management and Finance.

The Chief, Accounts and Treasury Unit works with all executive structures to oversee and co-ordinate accounting and treasury policy and operations; works with Secretariat departments and other Vienna-based OSCE organizations to strengthen financial compliance and provide an efficient payment service; fosters good working relationships with delegations and the Advisory Committee on Management and Finance (ACMF), especially with respect to Assessed Contributions and Scales of Contribution; acts as the OSCE focal point for external audit.

More specifically, the incumbent will be tasked with the following:

1. Preparing and consolidating the OSCE annual accounts and prepare financial statements on a quarterly basis and at year-end;
2. Supervising the maintenance of the General Ledger and verifying the integrity of all related financial transactions, including managing the structure of the Chart of Accounts;
3. Ensuring continued compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), keeping abreast of changes in accounting standards and best practices. Drafting Accounting Instructions and Procedures for application OSCE-wide, ensuring continued compliance with IPSAS standards keeping abreast of changes in accounting standards and best practices;
4. Liaising with the Internal and External Auditors and assisting them with their audits and providing written responses to their audit observations;
5. Supervising vendor invoice processing (accounts payable) to ensure proper approval and that internal controls are adequate and that the payments are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Financial Instructions;
6. Planning monthly cash requirements based on expected income and expenditure flows, as well as replenishments to executive structures;
7. Managing short-term investments in line with the OSCE Investment Policy. Producing investment reports for senior management and the Investment Committee;
8. Collecting and analysing information on money market developments and identifying non-Euro cash requirements to reduce financial risk. Ensuring that official exchange rates are entered into Oracle and that all OSCE locations are notified;
9. Overseeing the execution of all payments made in Vienna for the OSCE and other approved bodies, ensuring that payment details are correct and that they are properly approved and recorded;
10. Acting as primary signatory on Secretariat bank accounts and as an authorized signatory on all bank accounts held by OSCE executive structures. Approving and/or validating bank account details in the Supplier Customer bank (SCB) module;
11. Administering the scale(s) of contribution agreed by participating States. Preparing and issuing bills (accounts receivable) and acknowledgements of receipt, monitoring and reporting as appropriate;
12. Supervising the recording of all receipts of income, ensuring that it is credited to participating States and distributed to the appropriate Funds;
13. Overseeing reconciliation of all payments in the ERP Accounts Payable and Cash Management modules and bank accounts and ensuring that cash accounts in Cash Management are in agreement with the General Ledger;
14. Reviewing and administering banking arrangements on a regular basis to ensure that banks are financially sound and that OSCE cash funds are safe from loss of principal;
15. Overseeing accounting and treasury functions throughout the OSCE;
16. Performing other related duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in accounting, business administration, finance or other related field;
• A minimum nine years (seven years with a relevant second-level university degree) in the area of finance and accounting, of which five years are in a senior financial management position, preferably in the public sector or an international organization;
• Professional Accounting Certification from a recognized international professional accountancy body (i.e. CPA);
• Computer literate with extensive experience of computer applications, particularly Microsoft Excel spreadsheets;
• Extensive experience with ERP systems;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of another language from the OSCE region is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 9,400, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. 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: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC001065
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P4
• Job Level: Senior Management
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Aug 20, 2026
• Closing Date: Sep 17, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible