Austria: Assistant Project Officer (P1) (Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention)

May 12, 2024 | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
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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 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. The Office currently comprises 22 staff members.

Please note that this position is funded under an Extra-Budgetary (ExB) Project on "Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention – Phase III" and the contract duration of the selected candidate is until 31 August 2025.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Assistant Project Officer will work under the overall direction, guidance and supervision of the Senior Environmental Affairs Adviser and will support the Project Manager in ensuring that the project is adequately co-ordinated, managed and implemented through all steps of the project cycle, in accordance with the OSCE project management standards.

More specifically, the tasks will be the following:

  1. Assisting in supporting project activities and events (capacity-building activities, workshops, trainings, conferences and meetings); this includes preparing relevant project materials and documentation for approval by the Project Manager and maintenance of communication with relevant stakeholders and experts;
  2. Assisting in preparing documents and background material pertaining to the issues addressed by the project activities; collecting data required for the preparation of reports related to the implementation of the project, including interim and final reports for submission to the donor, project evaluation reports and briefing papers on project implementation;
  3. Assisting in the development of project activities and liaising with counterparts to facilitate their support and participation; preparing, under instruction, terms of reference for the employment of consultants and implementing partners and monitoring the implementation of activities and submission of reports by the implementing partners and consultants;
  4. Monitoring budget expenditure, giving estimates of costs for individual project activities and proposing budgetary and/or expenditure adjustments;
  5. Liaising with international, regional and national governmental and non-governmental institutions within the project framework, with the purpose of collecting and sharing information and co-ordinating activities;
  6. Performing other duties as assigned. 

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

Necessary Qualifications

  • First-level university degree in political science, international relations, sustainable development or related field;
  • A minimum of two years of professional-level experience in project management;
  • Established project management skills and/or experience;
  • Established analytical, research, drafting and presentation skills;
  • Experience of working on environmental issues;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian would be a strong 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;
  • Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 4,800, 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.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.


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