Deputy Director, Head of ICTS (P5)

Background:

This vacancy has been re-opened to expand the applicant pool. Candidates who have already applied for this position remain under consideration and do not need to reapply.

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 OSCE Secretariat's 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 and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Risk Management, Compliance and Information Security Unit.

The Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) Section is responsible for the delivery of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in support of the core business of the OSCE. This includes the management, operation, implementation, support, and maintenance of ICT projects, systems, and infrastructure, and the delivery of ICTS support services to the Secretariat. ICTS provides corporate ICT services, ICT policy guidance, and support to all OSCE Institutions and Field Operations. The Section consists of four units: Infrastructure Operations Unit, Services and Support Unit, Functional Support Unit, and Software Development Unit.

The Organization, in line with the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the OSCE. Currently female staff in the above-mentioned field of expertise is underrepresented, and are therefore encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

As Deputy Director, Head of ICT Services, you will provide strategic leadership on ICT matters, advising senior management and ensuring alignment with OSCE's objectives; develop and oversee the implementation of ICT policies, procedures, and standards across the Secretariat, Institutions, and Field Operations; and define organizational ICT needs, propose prioritized system developments, and manage outsourcing opportunities and contractual arrangements for optimal service delivery.

You will report to the Director for Management and Finance, while the Secretary General acts as your second-level supervisor. You will supervise staff within the ICTS Section, distribute workloads, manage performance, and guide professional development to ensure the effective delivery of ICT services across the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions, and Field Operations.

More specifically, you will perform the following functions:

1. Planning and co-ordinating the development of work programmes and the allocation of staff resources, monitoring performance of staff in the section, leading multiple and concurrent large, high-profile projects;
2. Providing leadership, advising senior management on ICT matters and supporting the ICT governance system;
3. Managing the development and operation of enterprise ICT systems, infrastructure and networks;
4. Developing and monitoring ICT policies, procedures and standards for the OSCE, including the Secretariat, Institutions and field operations;
5. Defining the needs of the Organization with regard to information systems in close co-operation with senior management and proposing a prioritized programme of systems development in support of the organization’s objectives and strategic plans;
6. Managing the design of appropriate ICT architectures; putting in place quality assurance systems, risk plans, disaster recovery procedures and business continuity plans in co-operation with Risk Management, Compliance and Information Security Unit;
7. Identifying and implementing ICT outsourcing opportunities;
8. Overseeing contractual arrangements related to ICT services and acquisitions;
9. Developing and monitoring the ICT programme budget;
10. Exercising overall management responsibility for the implementation of the work programme, including planning, supervising, budgetary control, administrative oversight and evaluation;
11. Maintaining a motivated workforce and fostering a work environment conducive to efficient and effective results- based teamwork;
12. Performing other related duties as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in computer science or a related advanced degree, and/or business administration and public administration; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• Desirable certifications in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP), IT Service Management (ITIL), and COBIT;
• A minimum of ten years (twelve years with a relevant first-level degree) of progressively responsible professional-level experience in relevant professional experience in the planning, development, and operation of complex ICT systems, of which at least some in an international environment;
• Experience in ICT budget management, governance, policy development, and vendor management and outsourcing, including cloud computing;
• Experience in managing Microsoft-based on-premise enterprise ICT environments including Active Directory, Windows Server, MS Exchange, and MS SharePoint;
• Experience in managing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems based on Oracle E-Business Suite;
• Experience in managing development and maintenance of custom software application;
• Experience in IT Service Management based on ITIL framework, and IT Project Management using PRINCE2 and agile methods;
• Experience in information security management and ICT security operations;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Excellent leadership, programme, and project management skills, with a track record of managing diverse teams and complex ICT portfolios;
• 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;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 11,300, 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 5 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: SEC000674
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P5
• Job Level: Senior Professional
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Closing Date: Jun 29, 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