Overview
The Operational Support Officer enhances the OSCE’s operational effectiveness, efficiency and impact through the provision of timely and robust operational planning and support, particularly on crisis preparedness and response as well as in the establishment, restructuring, or closure of an OSCE field operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting operational planning and implementation activities in co-ordination with relevant departments, sections and units of the Secretariat and with OSCE field operations and institutions, as necessary.
- Crisis preparedness and response operational activities and planning the establishment, restructuring and closure of field operations.
- Reviewing, updating and developing guidelines, generic operational planning templates, standard operating procedures, and other operational planning documents related to OSCE activities in the field.
- Supporting design and conduct of crisis simulation exercises for field operations and the OSCE Chairpersonship.
- Assisting in the development, conduct and co-ordination of after-action reviews and debriefings for departing senior OSCE officials and other relevant stakeholders.
- Supporting work on the various phases of the conflict cycle (early warning, early action, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, peacebuilding, and cross-cutting issues) through methodological advice and conflict trend analysis.
- Supporting the design of concepts and other material and tools on conflict cycle issues and developing proposals to operationalize them in specific OSCE contexts.
- Attending meetings, conferences and workshops on conflict cycle issues.
- Co-ordinating analytical and organizational support for OSCE Chair and Secretariat on ASRC matters and other activities, as required.
Required Experience
- A minimum of seven years (five years with a relevant second-level degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations, political analysis, knowledge management, operational planning and co-ordination with a government agency, national or international organization or non-governmental organization.
- Field experience in an international environment would be a distinct asset.
- Established thematic expertise in early warning, conflict prevention and resolution, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, and familiarity with relevant international efforts in these areas.
- Demonstrated political acumen, research and analytical skills, experience in operational planning and lessons learned methodologies for conflict analysis.
- Familiarity with technological tools for conflict analysis, early warning and operational planning, e.g., geographic information system, AI-powered predictive modelling, would be a distinct 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 a team and with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
- Practical experience with Microsoft applications, including maintaining databases.
Qualifications
First-level university degree in political science, international relations or a related field.
