Background:

OSCE field operations are the front line of the OSCE’s engagement on the ground, supporting host authorities in fulfilling OSCE commitments and implementing a comprehensive approach to security. The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the Organization’s longest-serving field operation working on social cohesion, fundamental rights, gender equality, the rule of law, good governance, integrity and anticorruption, criminal justice and police reform.

This is a temporary position with a start date of as soon as possible and an initial duration of 5 months and 29 days with a possibility of an extension.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of Deputy Head, Office of Political Affairs and Communications (OPAC), the incumbent will be responsible for:

1. Jointly with the National Political and Reporting Officers, monitoring the political and media situation in the country and managing relationships with political contacts;
2. Analysing political trends and trends in the media and alerting on emerging topics and on developments potentially affecting the delivery of the Mission’s strategic priorities;
3. Advising the Head and Deputy Head of OPAC on mitigation political and communication strategies and defensive lines and supporting the Deputy Head of OPAC in their development;
4. Drafting the Mission’s monthly and weekly activity reports, and other external and internal reports as required, ensuring quality and harmonization of content and style. Ensuring that the political perspective is integrated into all Mission’s strategic documents, including the UBP and the PC Report;
5. Contributing to the drafting, editing, review and clearance process of programmatic inputs and documents, including reports, talking points and briefing packages, for the Head of Mission and the senior management, and senior OSCE officials, as required;
6. Drafting and reviewing speeches and talking points, media lines, social media posts, and other items of interest related to communications under the guidance of Head of Mission, Deputy and Head of OPAC;
7. Coordinating with relevant Mission Units on programmatic inputs to the Mission’s social media and communications, and advocacy strategies, and ensuring the strategies’ effective implementation;
8. Supporting the OPAC management in quality control of all OPAC’s written outputs, including regular and ad hoc reports, briefing packages, media lines and social media posts.
9. Performing other duties as required.

For more detailed information on the work of OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see www.osce.org/skopje

Necessary Qualifications:

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition;
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using a manual transmission;
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure.

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

• First-level university education in international studies, public policy, political science or law or related fields
• Diplomatic experience or experience working in political affairs with international organisations or governments
• Experience in preparing analytical reports
• Excellent communication and drafting skills
• Knowledge of regional political history and developments
• Diplomatic and negotiating skills
• Some knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments

Furthermore, the candidates should fulfill the following specific requirements:
Mandatory:

• Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding citizenship of or permanent residence of the Republic of North Macedonia;
• Minimum 6 years professional experience in the political field, preferably in an advisory capacity, political analysis and/or political reporting;
• Ability to establish contacts, develop and maintain relations with high-level political actors, as well as government officials and institutions;
• Demonstrable communication (oral and written), analytical, problem solving, diplomatic, interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Flexibility and ability to work and manage the work of others in a high pressure environment with limited time frames;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines;
• Professional fluency in the English language, both oral and written;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as member of a 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 gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the regional political history and the political and cultural sensitivities of the country and region, with prior experience working in international organizations in the region;
• Experience working with (or in) state institutions, and/or in civil society;
• Experience in creating compelling content and messaging, as well as knowledge of advocacy strategies and public engagement
• Knowledge of the local language or most common lingua franca spoken in the Mission area

Remuneration Package:

The incumbent shall be entitled to receive Board and Lodging Allowance (BLA) at the current daily rate of 123.00 EUR, in accordance with applicable OSCE procedures.

Social benefits will include participation in the OSCE Group Insurance Scheme and the OSCE will cover 50% as the employer’s share of the monthly premium, and the full premiums for Cigna Life & Accident Disability.

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), 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.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

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