General Minimum Requirements
The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are (pre-defined according to the REACT Staffing Matrix for all seconded posts in the field operations):
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:
Advanced (second-level) university degree in international studies, public policy, political science, law or related fields. 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; Diplomatic experience or relevant work experience in political affairs with international organizations or governments; Experience in preparing analytical reports; Excellent communication and drafting skills; Knowledge of regional political history and developments; Diplomatic and negotiating skills; Good knowledge of OSCE principles and commitments is desirable.
Level of Professional Competence Requirements
Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:
Education:
Advanced (second-level) university degree in international studies, public policy, political science, law or related fields. 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:
A minimum of six (6) years of relevant (eight years with a first-level university degree), diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least three (3) years at the management level relevant to the actual position.
Mission Specific Requirements
Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:
Mandatory:
International mission members in the OSCE are internationally recruited. For the purposes of OSCE Missions (Field Operations) this means that they are hired to work in a duty station outside of their home country or country of permanent residence. As a result, nationals and permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible for international mission member positions. In the case of individuals with multiple nationalities, candidates are still ineligible for consideration even if using another citizenship for application while simultaneously maintaining the citizenship or permanent residence status of the country where the duty station is located; Experience in international relations, political reform, support to political parties, early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms; Proven management and supervisory experience, including strong leadership skills; Working experience in international organizations, relevant state institutions and/or experience in OSCE field operations in monitoring, reporting and policy making; Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills; Experience in liaising with governmental and non-governmental organizations; Experience in identifying potential relevant programmes and projects and their subsequent implementation, monitoring and reporting; Strong analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to compile and analyse relevant information; Ability to establish contact and maintain effective relations with (local) government officials and institutions, as well as with civil society; Previous international work experience, preferably within field operations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), especially in the Central Asia region; Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and with limited time frames; Cultural sensitivity and sound judgement; Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different genders and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity; Professional fluency in English, both oral and written; Professional fluency in Russian is a strong asset; Ability to operate Windows-based applications and use the Microsoft Office package;
Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Programme Office (D/HoPO), incumbent will be performing the following functions:
Providing analysis and advice to the Head of Programme Office (HoPO) and the Deputy Head of Programme Office (D/HoPO) on all major political issues across the country in accordance with the Mission's mandate and needs; Acting as the focal point for reporting and taking the lead in co-ordinating the drafting process of programmatic activities and other reports; Preparing policy support documents and providing advice on strategic vision related to the Mission's activities and implementation of the mandate of the Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB); Monitoring implementation of programmatic activities across all programmes and advising on the strategic priorities of the host country in relation to the POiB mandate; Liaising with key national political stakeholders within the limits of the Mission's mandate; Supporting the Office of the Head of Mission (OHoM) in defining strategic needs and the allocation of the necessary resources for OHoM and its programmes; Advising the OHoM on all matters related to programmatic activities in reconciliation, early warning, conflict-prevention and peace-building, democratic institution-building and political participation; Advising the OHoM on the process of identification of local and international stakeholders relevant for the implementation of programmes and supporting the OHoM in maintaining regular communication with partners; Supervising the work of mission members in the Political Unit within OHoM; Performing other duties as required.For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: https://www.osce.org/ru/programm-office-in-bishkek .
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 Programme Office in Bishkek Requisition ID: KYR000289 Contract Type: International Secondment Grade: S3 Job Level: Middle Management Job Type: Seconded Number of posts: 1 Location: KYR - OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Bishkek Issue Date: Aug 6, 2025 Closing Date: Sep 7, 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