Senior Administrative Officer

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 High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) promotes conflict prevention and integration of diverse societies. HCNM was established to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between OSCE participating States.  The Senior Administrative Officer supports the work of the High Commissioner as part of a dynamic team of political, legal advisers, project staff and administrators that values diversity.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the general guidance of the HCNM, direct supervision of the Director, and in close co-ordination with the Heads of Sections, the Senior Administrative Officer will be responsible for managing all administration and support functions, including Finance, Human Resources, Information and Communication Technology, Procurement, Logistics, Security in The Hague and the field. The successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

• Contributing to strategic planning, including preparation of the HCNM budget; providing guidance on priorities, objectives and strategies to achieve  objectives; tracking progress during implementation phase and recommending corrective actions, when necessary;
• Advising the HCNM’s senior management team on strategic planning issues, notably Performance-Based Budgeting (PBPB);
• Managing of financial resources, including the certification of expenditures;
• Formulating and implementing control procedures to safeguard resources and ensuring accountability on all levels;
• Advising the High Commissioner and Director on administrative policies and management issues, including finance, procurement and logistics;
• Drafting internal human resources policy and advising senior management on staffing and professional development issues;
• Co-ordinating recruitment processes in the office;
• Supporting project activities and administration of project related contracts which are implemented throughout the OSCE region;
• Advising the High Commissioner on all security and safety issues as security focal point;
• Co-ordinating support for events, conferences and visits throughout the OSCE region;
• Developing information management system and policies;
• Liaising with the host country authorities on all matters affecting the HCNM, notably building management and protocol issues.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in public or business administration or equivalent with specialisation in finance and accounting or other related fields; a first-level university degree in the said fields in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible relevant experience in public or business administration, budget, finance management at the national level, including at least five years at the international level;
• Professional fluency in English is required; knowledge of other OSCE official language/languages would be an asset;
• Excellent analytical, drafting, planning and organizational skills, resourcefulness; team spirit and initiative;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel);
• Experience in the use of IRMA/Oracle or any other ERP software 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 establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, while remaining impartial and objective.

Source: https://vacancies.osce.org/jobs/senior-administrative-officer-p4-3637