Senior Adviser (P4)

Background:

The OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine (Programme) has been established in order to continue supporting the Ukrainian Government’s reform efforts and mitigating the increased risks to civilians caused by the war against the country. The objective of the Programme - and therefore of all its projects - is to support Ukraine across all three OSCE dimensions on the government’s reform efforts and on the evolving risks to civilians caused by the war, thus ensuring that the OSCE’s work conducted over the past three decades and in the future, continues to impact positively the institutions and people of Ukraine and that Ukraine’s comprehensive security is enhanced in line with the OSCE commitments.

This post is financed from the extra-budgetary (ExB) Support Programme for Ukraine within the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) at the OSCE Secretariat (SEC). The Programme is planned to run until 31 December 2028. The post extension is subject to the availability of funds as well as the extension of the project duration.

Please note that the post is located in Vienna, Austria.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Director, CPC and secondary supervision of the Secretary General, and will be tasked with the following:

1. Providing strategic advice on the general direction of the SPU.
2. Providing operational advice on implementation matters of the Programme; working in close co-ordination with the Chief of Operations.
3. Acting as a focal point in the Policy Support Service (PSS) on all matters related to the SPU; supporting effective liaison and co-ordination with partner organizations on issues related to Ukraine; co-ordinating reporting, including reporting that is SPU-specific.
4. Preparing meetings of the High-Level Advisory Group and the Steering Committee; supporting on fundraising issues and maintaining close contact with delegations in Vienna.
5. Supporting development and effective implementation of existing and future initiatives in close co-operation with the relevant Desks in PSS, OSCE field operations, other OSCE executive structures and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; working with other Secretariat Units and Institutions on thematic or management issues requiring attention and co-operation.
6. As delegated by the Director, CPC, providing input, and clear policy advice and analysis, formal and informal briefings, reports, speeches, speaking points, background material and recommendations for the Chairpersonship and the OSCE Secretary General; co-ordinating events and delivering presentations related to the work of the OSCE and on the activities carried out by the CPC, in particular the work of the SPU.
7. Substituting the Director, CPC on SPU related matters, when required.

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 political science, public or international law, international relations or another related field.
• A minimum of nine years (seven with a second-level university degree) of progressively responsible professional-level experience in a government agency, a national or international organization or a non-governmental organization, preferably in an international environment.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and managing donor-funded projects.
• Proven knowledge of the latest political developments in Ukraine.
• Experience in establishing a working understanding of the roles of and interrelationship among international organizations and national governments in technical co-operation programmes.
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written skills). Working knowledge of Ukrainian would be 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 a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 9,423 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: OSC000509
• Contract Type: International Contracted
• Grade: P4
• Job Level: Professional
• Job Type: Contracted
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: OSCE
• Issue Date: Mar 16, 2026
• Closing Date: Apr 16, 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