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 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.
Within this context, the OCEEA's Environmental Activities portfolio provides platform for co-operation between participating States to tackle environmental issues that have significant security implications. It implements projects and activities related to sustainable use of natural resources, responses to impacts from climate change, energy security, and good environmental governance.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The main purpose of this position is to advise on the development, planning and conduct of programmatic activities and the mainstreaming of climate change and security within the OSCE, where required in close coordination with OSCE field operations, executive structures and/or participating States.
The Climate Affairs Adviser works under the direct supervision of the Senior Climate Change and Security Advisor, and under the overall supervision of the Deputy Co-ordinator, Head/Environmental Activities.
The incumbent will be tasked with the following:
Providing advice and inputs to OCEEA Senior Management on relevant policy processes, dialogue and negotiation platforms of the OCEEA. This includes the drafting of communication materials and concepts upon requests, articulating responses to queries from OSCE Field Operations and other Structures as well as participating States, and contributing to the Economic and Environmental Forum, the Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting and the Economic and Environmental Committee meetings in relevant areas, e.g., by drafting agendas, talking points and speeches, identifying and proposing speakers, and preparing discussion sessions;
Establishing and maintaining working relations with key stakeholders and partners including with representatives of beneficiary countries, officials of OSCE Delegations, OSCE Partners for Co-operation, OSCE Field Operations, relevant international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, and academic institutions/think tanks with the aim of maximizing synergies in the area of climate change and security;
Contributing to the implementation of activities, including the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, identification of potential programmatic activities; defining the implementation modalities; forecasting and monitoring of expenditures; contributing to visibility and promotion of project activities; providing progress reports to participating States;
Appraising, reviewing, adjusting and adapting activities to ensure consistency with national, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources; developing schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the implementation of project activities, in consultation with the supervisor, technical, substantive and administrative service units;
Organizing meetings, workshops, capacity building and advocacy activities on the interlinkages between climate change and security. This includes conducting research and drafting background papers for such events and activities as well as identifying potential partners and liaising with them; and contributing to analysis and assessments of potential security risks stemming from climate change in the OSCE region, and their implications for the OCEEA’s work in the economic and environmental fields.
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 political science, economics, climate, environment, international relations, conflict studies, social sciences or related fields;
- A minimum of seven years (five years with a relevant second-level university degree) of progressively responsible professional-level experience in the areas of climate security, climate change, conflict prevention and/or peacebuilding, preferably in an international environment;
- Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and managing donor-funded projects;
- Recognized project management certification would be an asset;
- Proven knowledge of international relations in the context of climate change;
- Experience in working with/for the OSCE would be an asset;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
- 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 (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.
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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: SEC001067
- Contract Type: International Secondment
- Grade: S
- Job Type: Seconded
- Number of posts: 1
- Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
- Issue Date: Aug 26, 2026
- Closing Date: Sep 23, 2026
- Employee Status: Fixed Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
- Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible
