General Minimum Requirements
The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:
Excellent physical condition Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure
Field of Expertise Requirements
The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:
Diplomatic experience or experience working in political affairs with international organizations or governments Experience in preparing analytical reports Experience in programme management Excellent communication and drafting skills Knowledge of regional political history and developments Diplomatic and negotiating skills Some knowledge of the OSCE principles and commitments
Level of Professional Competence Requirements
Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:
Education:
Second-level university degree in political sciences, public or international law, international relations or another related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree
Experience:
Minimum 10 years relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least 5 years at the management level relevant to the actual position
Mission Specific Requirements
Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:
Mandatory:
Desirable:
Knowledge of the local languages or the most common lingua franca spoken in the Mission area would be desirable
Tasks and Responsibilities
As Deputy Head of Mission, you will support the Head of Mission in developing and executing OSCE policies, programmes and operations in support of implementation of the Mission's mandate, as contained in the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and as decided by the Head of Mission. You will also work closely with the Conflict Prevention Centre and the South-Eastern Europe Desk. You will assist the Head of Mission in the co-ordination and oversight of the programmes within the Mission, including related operational, logistic and general administrative matters. You will represent the Head of Mission at high-level international gatherings, in co-ordination meetings with other international organizations in BiH, and before OSCE bodies and structures. Furthermore, you will engage regularly with senior officials in the political, economic and social structures of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), civil society and media.
More specifically, under the direct supervision of the Head of Mission, as Deputy Head of Mission, you will be responsible for the following:
Overseeing, co-ordinating and managing the implementation of the Mission's plans, policies and programmes, and supervising assigned Programme Managers, in order to advise on mandate implementation and ensure alignment with the Mission's objectives; Guiding and monitoring the work of the sections/units in the Office of Head of Mission programme as delegated by the Head of Mission; Advising the Head of Mission on programmatic, management, administrative and policy matters; Supporting the Head of Mission in the strategic planning, development and implementation of the Mission's strategic objectives; Maintaining regular communication and fostering effective relationships with international stakeholders, governmental and political representatives and civil society organizations; Supporting the Head of Mission in advocacy, visibility, and resource mobilization efforts; Serving as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the for the Head of Mission; Performing other duties as assigned.
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see https://www.osce.org/mission-to-bosnia-and-herzegovina
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.
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.
The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission is seven 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.
Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. 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.
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 Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Requisition ID: BAH000189 Contract Type: International Secondment Grade: DHoM Job Level: Senior Management Job Type: Seconded Number of posts: 1 Location: BAH - OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo Issue Date: May 28, 2025 Closing Date: Jun 25, 2025 Employee Status: Fixed Term Schedule: Full-time Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent) Job Field: Political Affairs Target Start Date: As soon as possible