Background:
This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.
The duties and requirements of this seconded (S) position correspond to a P4-level role in the UN common system. Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.
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.
OSCE Ministerial Council Decision MC.DEC/9/11 of 7 December 2011 established the Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) as part of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, Austria. TNTD plays a key role as the focal point of OSCE-wide programmatic activities aiming at countering transnational threats and ensuring the co-ordination and coherence of action across all three OSCE dimensions among all executive structures, while respecting their mandates. TNTD comprises the Co-ordination Cell, the Action against Terrorism Unit, the Border Security and Management Unit and the Strategic Police Matters Unit.
The Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU), operating under the Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) within the OSCE Secretariat, serves as a pivotal element in the organization's counter-terrorism efforts. Led by the Head of the Unit who reports directly to the TNTD Co-ordinator, the ATU stands as the central node for information, coordination, and implementation of counter-terrorism activities. This unit embodies the OSCE's commitment to combating terrorism, as mandated by decisions from the Permanent and Ministerial Council meetings, especially in enforcing the "OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism" as per PC Decision No. 1063.
The TNTD's primary objective is to address transnational security threats across the OSCE region. Within this framework, the ATU focuses on counter-terrorism, serving as both a strategic operational hub and an informational resource. The working environment of the ATU is complex and sensitive, demanding a high level of discretion and accuracy. This is crucial in maintaining the professional credibility of the OSCE, especially when coordinating with host States and international partners. The unit's effectiveness hinges on its ability to navigate intricate operational dynamics and potential hazards, underscoring the importance of precision and reliability in every aspect of its work.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Anti-Terrorism Issues, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:
Reviewing legislation, carrying out legal research and analysis for use at the policy level and prepare legal documentation; Providing specialized legal advice and technical input on complex legal aspects; Advising TNTD Co-ordinator and Head of the Unit on issues related to legislation and interacting with participating States on issues related to legislation; Monitoring and promoting participating States’ implementation of and compliance with the provisions of the universal anti-terrorism instruments and their OSCE commitments, reviewing national legislation and identifying gaps between national law and international standards as required by treaties and conventions;
Planning, organizing, and implementing technical co-operation programmes, projects and activities on national, regional and OSCE-wide levels, in particular legislative assistance workshops; capacity building workshops, as well as other relevant initiatives in the legal and related aspects of terrorism prevention and responses; supervising and executing programme/project development and implementation, including contributing to the organization of counter-terrorism conferences, workshops and other events within the TNTD/ATU programmatic areas; identifying legal problems and issues to be addressed and proposing corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; identifying and tracking follow-up actions; Facilitating interaction among the participating States and between the participating States and the specialized international organizations and the agencies under relevant decisions with a focus on international legal instruments and OSCE commitments to address terrorism;
Providing expertise on a broad spectrum of complex substantive issues in the fields of criminal justice and the rule of law, contributing to policy development including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies; Identifying, together with the interested participating States, needs, requirements and resources for assistance in implementing counter-terrorism obligations and commitments; Developing and proposing, where appropriate, new actions and activities to promote a human rights and rule of law compliant approaches to preventing terrorism;
Providing, as requested, technical assistance to participating States and leading and/or participating in related technical assistance missions, including provision of guidance to other staff; undertaking consultations with officials or governments and international organizations and funding institutions; participating in international, regional and national meetings and providing substantive expertise on the issues of counter-terrorism obligations and commitments;
Assisting Head of the Unit in providing guidance to fund managers to facilitate the achievement of the established anti-terrorism goals through implementation by participating States of their CT commitments and international obligations undertaken through the universal anti-terrorism treaties & conventions; Facilitating or initiating formulation and dissemination, subject to the approval by supervisor - of guidelines and of other mediums to set standards for anti-terrorism activities;
Performing other duties as assigned.
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: https://www.osce.org/secretariat
Necessary Qualifications:
Second-level university degree in international law or criminal law, political science or international relations; a first-level university degree in the relevant field in combination with at least two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree. Specialization in legal and related aspects of terrorism prevention and their international dimensions is highly desirable;
A minimum of seven years (nine with a first-level university degree) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in terrorism prevention and criminal justice matters preferably with a focus on rule of law or closely related issues, and at least two years with international organisations;
Experience in diplomatic affairs, policy or treaty formulation is highly desirable;
Practical experience in working for or co-ordination with UN-system organisations, CoE and the EU is a distinct asset;
Expertise in security and military affairs across all levels;
Experience in counter-terrorism issues or the four OSCE strategic areas (policing, trafficking, financing, border management) is desirable;
Good drafting skills are instrumental;
Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of other OSCE languages is desirable;
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.
If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form to the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.
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 be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.
- Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
- Requisition ID: SEC000897
- Contract Type: International Secondment
- Grade: S
- Job Type: Seconded
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
- Issue Date: Nov 12, 2025
- Closing Date: Jun 4, 2026
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent)
- Job Field: Rule of Law
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible
