Spokesperson/Head of Press and Public Information Section, P5

Working in support of the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairmanship, the Press and Public Information Section (PPIS) has the task of promoting awareness of the OSCE among the general public and generating support for its work. It provides press releases, information material and regular publications and disseminates these to the media and the public, as well as maintaining the Organization’s public website and serves as the focal point for public statements from OSCE Institutions and field operations.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the general supervision of the Secretary General and the direct supervision of the Director of the Office of the Secretary General, the incumbent will be responsible for directing the OSCE’s press and public information activities. The incumbent will also work to raise the profile of the OSCE and highlight its achievements in a crowded field of international organizations. More specifically, he/she will be tasked with:

• Acting as Spokesperson for the Organization, directing the work of a team of press officers, and co-ordinating the press and public information activities of OSCE Institutions and field operations as well as acting as a clearing house for press releases and statements;
• Representing the OSCE at major meetings and accompanying the Chairperson-in-Office on official OSCE travel;
• Proposing, developing and managing the implementation of an OSCE-wide communication strategy to strengthen the OSCE’s image;
• Advising the Secretary General, the OSCE Chairmanship and senior OSCE officials on handling and promoting press relations;
• Managing the staff and output of the Press and Public Information Section;
• Developing, directing and supervising public information projects, including visitor programmes;
• Approving recommendations and proposals on the content of the OSCE public website, on the OSCE’s presence on social media and on all publications, including the Annual Report and the OSCE Magazine;
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in social or political science, law, history, international relations, communications, journalism or other related field;
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, 4 years of which should be at the management level, in the field of press and public information, preferably in a large governmental, intergovernmental or international organization or in a major news organization; experience as a journalist would be an asset;
• Excellent knowledge of the OSCE and its areas of operation;
• Professional fluency in English including excellent writing skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be highly desirable;
• Sound political judgement and diplomatic skills, strong public speaking/presentation skills, ability to communicate clearly orally and to write clear and concise reports;
• Ability to function in an unpredictable, deadline-driven environment;
• Knowledge of and experience in using computers and software applications and the Internet;
• Willingness to travel and work long hours;
• 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 team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender and diverse political views, whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Remuneration:
Monthly remuneration will vary between EUR 8,146 (single rate) and EUR 8,769 (dependency rate) depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Vanbreda medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

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

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please seehttp://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.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 5 years.

No application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by OSCE for our recruitment process.

Closing date: Wednesday 5th September 2012.