Project Assistant (G5)

Background:

This is an extra-budgetary position. The contract will be issued for the duration of the project which current end-date is 31 December 2024. The selected candidate should commit to being available for the duration of the project.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension of security. The ODIHR’s activities are implemented in 57 participating States in accordance with the ODIHR’s political mandate. 

Sustaining ODIHR’s support to Ukraine in the areas of human rights monitoring, tolerance and non-discrimination and democratization is the ‘Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine’ project that constitutes ODIHR’s main programmatic engagement in the country since 2015. It represents a holistic portfolio of initiatives aimed at advancing the respect for human rights, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting tolerance in the society through capacity-building, co-operation and advocacy. The project mainstreams gender, participation of persons with disabilities and Roma and Sinti, and increases efforts in building capacity of youth. 

Responding to the Russian Federation’s military attack in Ukraine and the resulting crisis in and around Ukraine, ODIHR has undertaken rapid and comprehensive efforts to ensure the impact of its longstanding engagement in Ukraine and continue to deliver a needs-based and timely support to Ukraine. ODIHR has modified the ‘Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine’ project in order to address the urgent human dimension challenges in Ukraine brought by the ongoing conflict and introduced a set of new and modified activities tailored to the current needs of Ukrainian citizens in the human dimension of security as well as propose strategic actions for a post-conflict phase. 

Project is implemented within the Project Co-ordination Unit (PCU) under the Direction and Policy Department. While the incumbent will work on the issues related to or impacted by the Russian Federation’s military attack in Ukraine, no potential hazards are envisioned for this post and no travel to Ukraine anticipated.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Associate Project Officer the incumbent provides administrative, logistical and organizational support for the preparation and implementation of project activities, in particular the incumbent performs the following functions for the project: 

1. Drafting correspondence both on administrative and substantive project matters;
2. Contributing to working documents and background materials: concept notes, memos, sections of project reports and briefing papers;
3. Providing administrative and logistical support for the organization of meetings, seminars, round tables and conferences;
4. Making travel arrangements for the project staff, contracted experts and meeting attendees;
5. Preparing drafts of contract’s Terms of Reference for the employment of external consultants and implementing partners;
6. Operating ORACLE system by raising various travel and procurement requests;
7. Performing other duties as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education;
• At least four years of relevant administrative experience;
• Experience of working in an international environment is desirable;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft applications and large administrative and financial systems (Oracle and others);
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Polish; Ukrainian and/or Russian language strongly desirable;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
  

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is approximately PLN 8,200. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland.

Social security will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme (current approximate deduction for a staff member is 56 Euro) and OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an additional amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this pension-style fund while the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System for general services employees.

Appointments are made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

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.

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.

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

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

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 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.