Adviser on Gender Issues

Vacancy number: OSCE Secretariat, Office of the Secretary General

Vacancy type: International seconded

Field of expertise: Human Rights

Number of posts: 1

Duty station: Vienna

Department: Office of the Secretary General

Date of entry on duty : As soon as possible

Date of issue: 17 November 2011

Deadline for applications: 14 December 2011

Background

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are reminded that all costs in relation to appointment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities. 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 Gender Issues Section in the Office of the Secretary General works towards implementation of the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and supports systematic efforts to mainstream gender equality across the Organization and across its policies, programmes, projects and activities. It assists and advises the OSCE structures (Secretariat, Institutions and field operations) by providing technical assistance, tools and monitoring. The Gender Issues Section interacts with a variety of OSCE stakeholders, produces analysis, reports, technical documents and tools, organizes thematic conferences and contributes to significant international gender events. It manages unified budget and extra-budgetary funded projects.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, the incumbent will provide programmatic expertise and follow-up in the thematic area of mainstreaming gender in OSCE programmes, projects and activities, in particular those dedicated to environmental and economic security. More specifically, he/she will be responsible for: Providing knowledge and expertise to departments at the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and field operations on the development of a consistent and systematic approach to integrating a gender perspective in their programmes and projects, especially in the environmental and economic area; Preparing and proposing benchmarks for achievements and a comprehensive monitoring framework; Raising awareness and promoting the utilization of instruments for gender mainstreaming; co-ordinating and enhancing the exchange of information and best practices on mainstreaming gender in the three dimensions of OSCE's work and in the gender equality priority areas set by participating States; Assisting the OSCE Secretariat, Institutions and field operations in designing and implementing gender equality projects; monitoring their activities in the framework of OSCE standards and for the implementation of the 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the 2005 and 2009 Ministerial Decisions; Assisting the Training Section in developing training material for staff members and in planning, developing and facilitating training on gender mainstreaming; Participating in the capacity building of gender focal points, promoting networking and the dissemination of good practices; Contributing to drafting of technical documents and proposals for new extra budgetary (ExB) projects to be run by the Gender Issues Section; reviewing other ExB proposals in the environmental and economic dimension of security and suggesting adequate gender perspectives to be mainstreamed in them; Assisting in the preparation of the annual progress report on gender equality in the OSCE, compiling data from various OSCE units and preparing analysis and recommendations; Performing other related duties, such as representing the Senior Adviser in meetings and conferences, as required.

Necessary Qualifications

University degree in international relations, political science, economy, social sciences, gender studies or relevant related field; A minimum of six years of professional experience in gender issues, human rights, economic or environmental issues; Solid experience in programme management in bi- or multilateral development organizations, including field operations; awareness of international texts and conventions related to gender equality, concepts of technical cooperation; Knowledge of economic and environmental fields; solid knowledge of the methodology of gender analysis, preferably with experience in gender mainstreaming in environmental and economic projects; Conceptual and strategic skills with ability to analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of gender-related issues; Professional fluency in English, with excellent drafting skills, in particular of project proposals; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset; Computer literacy; Ability and willingness to travel outside the duty station; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective.

This post is open for secondment. Candidates are requested to apply through the OSCE desk of the respective Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Delayed nominations will not be considered. Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/who/83. The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. The nomination of female candidates is particularly encouraged. The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation.