Back Head, Office of Legal Affairs (P5)

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, 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 Legal Affairs (OLA) provides legal services OSCE-wide with respect to public international law, internal justice matters, financial and contractual matters, and legal issues related to the structure and activities of the OSCE, including claims against it. OLA also advises on personnel matters, develops and strengthens the overall regulatory framework of the OSCE, and advises on its implementation, including with respect to international civil service law.

The Office of Legal Affairs sits within the Office of the Secretary General, which in turn plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of the mandate and specific tasks assigned to the Secretary General by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in carrying out activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, co-ordinating policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chair as well as management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the administrative supervision of the Director of the Office of the Secretary General, the incumbent provides authoritative legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity to the Secretary General, liaising and cooperating closely with all relevant Heads of other OSCE executive structures, Secretariat departments and thematic units, as well as the Chairmanship and Troika. In its activities, the Office of Legal Affairs is engaged in strengthening the rule of law in and through the OSCE by mitigating exposure to risk in protecting the legal rights, interests and, position of the OSCE executive structures in compliance with the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS) and applicable international laws and regulations. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat.

Necessary Qualifications:

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is approximately EUR 11,286 with the actual salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

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) for fixed-term posts, 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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 5 years, with an initial two-year fixed-term appointment, which may be extended for up to three years.

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

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 63 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is expected to carry out the contractual obligation of three years.

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