Chief, Situation/Communications Room (S)

Chief, Situation/Communications Room (S)

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an assignment 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 OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) plays a key role in supporting and co-ordinating the OSCE's activities in the field, in providing analysis and policy advice to the Secretary General (SG) and the Chairpersonship, in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle, and in supporting the various formats dealing with protracted conflicts. The CPC also serves as the focal point in the Secretariat for co-ordinating and developing the OSCE's role in the politico-military dimension.

Within the CPC, the Operations Service covers a broad variety of tasks such as operational planning for the set-up, reorganization, and closure of field operations. It provides strategic advice and analysis on conflict cycle issues, including early warning, early action, conflict prevention, crisis management, conflict resolution, mediation, dialogue facilitation and mediation support, post-conflict rehabilitation and peacebuilding. It also contributes to the preservation of key institutional memory through the development and exchange of lessons learned and best practices, and maintains a 24/7 Situation/Communications Room. In its efforts, it ensures operational liaison with other international organizations.

The SitRoom compiles and disseminates numerous products such as daily morning/afternoon briefs, weekly analytical updates, calendars of upcoming events, and special compilations depending on operational requirements. As part of the OSCE's early warning function, the SitRoom provides real-time situational awareness information as events unfold, including breaking news e-mails and SMS, especially outside working hours. The SitRoom also provides 24-hour assistance with regard to medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) by co-ordinating information flows through established chains of command.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Chief of the SitRoom reports directly to the Deputy Director of the CPC for Operations Service, while the Director of the CPC/Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat is the second level supervisor.

Internally, the Chief of the SitRoom interacts closely with all SitRoom staff to manage their work. The Chief interacts with OSCE senior management, including the Director of the CPC and the SG, for management, co-ordination, and information sharing, in particular related to crises. The Chief interacts also with all sections of the CPC and relevant departments of the OSCE Secretariat. Other interactions include OSCE institutions and thematic units of the Secretariat, as appropriate, to exchange information.

Externally, the Chief of the SitRoom interacts with representatives of the Chairpersonship, other participating States, and Partners for Co-operation to provide briefings on the SitRoom's activities. The Chief also interacts with other international organizations and their crisis rooms exchange information and lessons learned.

More specifically, the Chief, SitRoom will perform the following tasks:

• Managing all operational and administrative matters related to the SitRoom, including planning, co-ordination and daily prioritization of SitRoom tasks; providing clear guidance and ensuring effective information sharing with duty officers related to all aspects of the SitRoom's work, in particular given the virtual nature of the team, which works in a shift system;
• Supervising seven general service staff, as well as any temporary staff, interns and JPOs, including all aspects of performance management; participating in recruitment processes for new SitRoom staff; drafting and issuing guidelines to ensure a high standard of daily work, approving shift rosters, reviewing and revising SitRoom working methods, and updating Standing Operating Procedures, as required;
• Closely monitoring crises and emergencies to ensure the rapid and effective response of the SitRoom in delivering timely and efficient support; overseeing the output of the daily morning, afternoon and special news briefs, regional/thematic compilations, and calendars of upcoming events, by ensuring that deadlines are met, quality is high, and feedback is provided for corrective action, if required;
• Carrying out all tasks of Duty Officer, as required, including, compiling all SitRoom products/briefs/compilations; conducting directed research; acting as a primary point of contact outside normal working hours; performing a liaison role in crisis and security situations, and providing administrative support, as required; providing a surge capacity by performing (additional) shifts during crises and unforeseen absences in the team, as required;
• Regularly reviewing and updating SitRoom procedures to ensure their continual functionality. To that end, co-ordinating closely relevant Secretariat departments on MEDEVAC procedures, emergency contact lists from OSCE participating States, and staff contact details for emergency notifications;
• Together with the CPC's early warning focal points, co-ordinating with core users of the SitRoom's products to determine and to update the information requirements for SitRoom products and to prioritise them against available resources;
• Participating in meetings of the Crisis Management Team, the Security Management Team, and Task Forces, as required, providing inputs on security- and crisis-related issues affecting the OSCE areas of operation/interest, as required;
• Providing input to the Operations Service work plan and budget-related documents; representing DD/CPC-OS in co-ordination meetings within the Secretariat and writing summaries, reporting for internal distribution, as required; briefing delegations of OSCE participating States' delegations and external visitors on the SitRoom's activities;
• Conducting other duties as required.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in international relations, political science, or related field, or graduate of a national military academy at officer level;
• A minimum of seven years (five with a second-level degree) of progressively responsible professional experience, preferably in an international environment and including experience in operational and staff management;
• Experience working in and/or leading virtual teams would be an asset;
• Experience in an operations room or situation centre for field operations, with an early warning function, or other experience related to early warning would be an asset;
• Knowledge of political developments in the OSCE area;
• Demonstrated analytical skills and political acumen, as well as sound practical judgement;
• Experience in open-source intelligence (OSINT) - the collection and analysis of data gathered from open sources - would be an asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; professional knowledge of Russian would be an asset;
• Ability to establish priorities and to handle diverse and demanding tasks at the same time;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability to work in a team and establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Excellent knowledge of computer applications, including advanced experience with Microsoft Office, mapping and graphic programmes.