Poland Budget Assistant (BPRI project

This is an extra-budgetary position. The initial contract will be for one year, renewable until the project ends on 30 November 2013. The selected candidate should commit to being available for the duration of the project.

Background:

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate.

The Project Co-ordination Unit in close co-operation with the thematic departments of ODIHR manages a number of large-scale, multi-million euro, extra-budgetary projects. Those projects often require a team of designated project staff to plan and implement project activities.

We are currently creating such a team for the Best Practices for Roma Integration (BPRI) Project, which aims to contribute to the integration of minorities and, more specifically, to improve the quality of life and access to rights of the Roma communities in the Western Balkans. With a 3 mil Euro funding from the European Commission and an additional ten percent of the own co-funding, OSCE/ODIHR will implement the Project in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo under UNSCR N° 1244, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in close cooperation with OSCE field operations where applicable.

The incumbent of this post will be engaged in the planning and implementation of the project, which is expected to bring five main results: (1) to strengthen and apply in practice the region’s good practices in multi-sector municipal collaboration, Roma involvement in decision-making and participation of Roma in political life; (2) to increase Roma people’s interest in and possibilities to access civil registration and legal aid services; (3) to empower Roma people to advocate and have greater opportunities to benefit from mechanisms and initiatives for legalization and improvements of their settlements; (4) to enhance possibilities for Roma participation in public life through anti-discriminatory policies and practice and increased public awareness about Roma rights to be included and not to be discriminated against, and; (5) to enhance possibilities for Roma participation in Government-led national and regional co-ordination and other compatible cross-border initiatives in and outside of the Western Balkans. The project will target primarily governments at national and local levels and mainstream and Roma public servants, and its secondary target groups include mainstream and Roma municipal employees and civil society groups.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, P-4, and also having a functional reporting line to the Finance Officer (EXB), the Budget Assistant is a member of such a team providing programme support services to the extra budgetary project in the areas of budget and project finance to enable efficient implementation of the project. The main duties include but are not limited to: BUDGET • Preparing, monitoring and revising budgets, including advising on budget implementation. Reviewing expenditures, reallocating funds and preparing internal and external reports.

PROGRAMME • Providing guidance to project staff on finance and procurement matters relating to the project to ensure proper application of the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS) and observance of donor requirements.

FINANCE • Preparing and verifying all disbursements and supporting documents against allotments from the system (including salaries of project staff and, where necessary, contracts with other international organisations). Data entry and submission for approval and payment including verifying that payments actually occurred.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education or equivalent and specialised training in the area of project management, business planning or accounting. • Good understanding of the procedures and requirements for project budgeting. • At least four years of relevant working experience in the field of finance and accounting, preferably in an international environment. • Experience of donor procedures and rules applicable to funding received from large institutional donors is desirable. • Experience of budgeting and controlling for a large volume project would be a significant asset. • Fluent oral and written English. • Good understanding of computer hardware and software applications that are relevant to the incumbent’s work. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds, as well as demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity.

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is approximately PLN 6,500. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland.

Social security will include participation in the Vanbreda International medical insurance scheme (current approximate deduction for a staff member is 35 Euro) and OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an additional amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this pension-style fund while the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System for general services employees.

How to apply:

How to Apply?

If you wish to apply for this position, please use OSCE's online application link found under http://www.osce.org/employment

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Please note that in the event of invitation for interview, the OSCE is unable to reimburse costs incurred.