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 P3-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.
The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Document Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.
In accordance with the Common Regulatory Management System and the OSCE’s duty of care towards OSCE Officials, the OSCE Security Management Unit is designed to enhance security planning and preparedness, and ensure that all reasonable and practicable measures are in place for managing foreseeable security risks. The principal aim of the OSCE Security Management Unit is to safeguard the safety and security of OSCE Officials, OSCE Personnel, Dependents, premises and assets whilst also facilitating the delivery of OSCE’s programmatic activities, in line with OSCE mandates. Security projects, such as the Safe Travel System (STS), significantly enhance staff safety and security throughout executive structures, playing a crucial role in fulfilling the OSCE's Duty of Care. The STS has since its inception in 2022 become a core component of daily operational support, emergency response, and mission facilitation.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The Security Project Officer directly reports to Head, Security Management, the first level supervisor, and to Director, Office of the Secretary General who is the second level supervisor. Incumbent oversees all project activities, acts as a liaison related to all project matters, co-ordinates trainings, and guides development of the ExB project. The Security Project Officer provides advice on project implementation modalities, the training plan delivery and on potential programmatic activities in the relevant field of expertise, where required in close co-ordination with other OSCE executive structures and/or participating States. Directed by the Programme Manager, the Security Project Officer conducts assessments across all executive structures to facilitate and deliver project activities and provides operational support related to security planning and coordination during security related activities and deployments. The Security Project Officer will support the review assessments of project documentation ensuring alignment with established security procedures. In this role, the Security Project Officer will provide guidance on maintaining and strengthening security measures within the project framework and also contribute to the development and review of security instructions and Standard Operating Procedures, and exercises.
More specifically, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:
1. Leading the OSCE-wide implementation and administration of the STS project, ensuring alignment with the Organization’s security risk management framework and emergency preparedness objectives;
2. Overseeing the development of security project proposals, strategic plans, procurement frameworks, and budgetary forecasts; ensuring effective financial planning and monitors project expenditures, and providing progress reports to donors; and fundraising;
3. Coordinating the preparation and periodic update of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), security advisories, internal policies, and interoffice communications relating to security projects. Serving as the focal point for liaison with internal stakeholders, OSCE Executive Structures, Institutions, and Security Focal Points to ensure consistent implementation of security policies and operational procedures;
4. Exchanging information and negotiating on project formulation and implementation with government officials responsible for planning, finance and sectoral matters, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and other external partners;
5. Providing technical oversight and continuous monitoring of the system’s performance, ensuring operational integrity and continuous improvement across all user environments. Coordinating directly with Security Focal Points in Field Operations and Institutions to validate emergency response procedures and maintain organizational readiness;
6. Managing high-level project communications and representing the Security Management Unit in project related briefings and consultations with internal counterparts;
7. Monitoring and expediting project implementation systematically through discussions and correspondence with the staff involved in project activities and outcomes, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in project reviews and evaluations; utilizing information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions;
8. Designing and leading the development and delivery of STS training curricula for administrators and end-users across the OSCE. Developing user-focused training modules for both administrative and end-user groups, as well as the planning and coordination of workshops, seminars, and stakeholder engagement events;
9. 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:
First-level university degree in security studies, risk, disaster or emergency management, social/political science, military science, public administration, law enforcement, law or related field; or equivalent professional qualifications from certified award-granting bodies and from military or police educational institutions;
Minimum of seven years (five years with second-level university degree) of professional experience in project management, security, risk management, or other related fields;
Experience to support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi-stakeholder projects and programmatic activities;
Knowledge of security management systems, procedures and methodology, conducting security needs assessment, and training plans;
Good drafting and reporting skills, especially in an area of project management;
Experience of working in a multilateral/multicultural environment;
Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; Working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is an 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;
Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office.
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.
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) for fixed-term posts open for secondment, 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
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.
The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is 10 years.
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 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.
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.
Additional Information
- Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
- Requisition ID: SEC001034
- Contract Type: International Secondment
- Grade: S
- Job Type: Seconded
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
- Issue Date: Aug 6, 2026
- Closing Date: Sep 3, 2026
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible
