Economic Affairs Officer (Fixed Term)

Job Description

Issued by: OSCE Secretariat

Requisition ID: SEC000953

Contract Type: International Secondment

Grade: S

Job Type: Seconded

Number of posts: 1

Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna

Issue Date: Feb 6, 2026

Closing Date: Mar 6, 2026

Employee Status: Fixed Term

Schedule: Full-time

Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)

Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs

Target Start Date: As soon as possible

Background:

Please note that this is a new post proposed for establishment in the context of the 2026 Unified Budget (UB). Consequently, the issuance of a fixed-term assignment is subject to approval of the post as part of the UB. However, the successful candidate may be issued short-term assignment(s) that may be converted to a fixed-term assignment following the UB approval.

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.

The duties and requirements of this seconded (S) position correspond to a P3-level role in the UN common system. 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 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental issues can contribute to international security and stability. The OCEEA’s role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security.

Within this context, the Economic Governance Unit of the OCEEA facilitates and supports economic co-operation and good governance across the OSCE area. Its activities include the fight against corruption, combating money laundering and terrorism financing, promoting a positive business and investment climate, promoting effective labor migration management, human capital development, economic empowerment of women and youth, and strengthening connectivity through trade and transport facilitation. In doing so, it works closely with OSCE field operations, the private sector, leading international bodies and regional initiatives, and research organizations to promote dialogue, increase capacity and foster public-private co-operation on economic co-operation and good governance in collaboration with participating States.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Economic Affairs Officer supports the implementation of the OSCE’s mandate on economic co-operation and development by designing and managing projects that promote good governance, responsible investment and private sector partnerships across the OSCE region. The role focuses on strengthening regional economic integration, trade facilitation and public-private collaboration as tools for enhancing security and sustainable development. The incumbent builds partnerships with national authorities, international organizations and private sector actors, provides expert analysis and policy advice, and ensures co-ordination and added value across economic governance-related activities within the OSCE.

Working with minimum supervision, the Economic Affairs Officer provides advice on technical subject matters covered by the portfolio, project implementation modalities and the planning and conduct of potential programmatic activities in the relevant field of expertise, where required in close co-ordination with other OSCE executive structures, participating States, businesses and other international organizations.

The Economic Affairs Officer reports directly to the Senior Economic Officer, while the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Economic Activities acts as the second-level supervisor.

More specifically, the Economic Affairs Officer will be tasked with the following:

• Strengthening the business, trade and investment climate – Providing advice and developing concrete activities aimed at promoting a transparent and vibrant business and investment climate and regional business development, including business connectivity and trade facilitation initiatives along key transport corridors are developed. Opportunities for the OSCE to support participating States in private sector development, attracting foreign direct investment and overall economic development and growth are explored and presented. Analytical reports, briefing and other inputs to the Chairperson-in-Office, Secretary General, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and other internal stakeholders on improving the business, trade and investment climate, and private sector development in the OSCE region, as well as inputs to background documents of the Economic and Environmental Forum Process;
• Public-private partnerships – Identifying, establishing and maintaining partnerships and working relations with international economic and development organizations, sub-regional initiatives, NGOs, business groupings, chambers of commerce, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and private sector associations. Exploring co-operation mechanisms between the OSCE and the private sector in co-operation with OSCE executive structures. Proposing and developing activities for joint implementation with OSCE delegations and the OSCE Partners for Co-operation. Participating in the negotiation of partnership and co-operation agreements at the working level;
• Stakeholder management – Undertaking effective and systematic engagement and communication with relevant national and/or regional authorities, including government representatives, international entities, IFIs, and business associations in relation to various aspects of OCEEA’s economic priorities, identifying potential collaborating partners and donors. Establishing and maintaining professional networks with national/regional institutions and development agencies to contribute to and increase awareness of OCEEA’s work in business and investment climate development, connectivity and public-private partnerships. Overseeing development of presentations and outreach material effectively, ensuring they are delivered in a clear, concise and impartial manner and their effectiveness closely monitored;
• Project development and management – Developing concepts for new projects. Undertaking in-depth assessment and analysis of the overall needs of potential beneficiaries in OSCE participating States, within a specific technical/thematic area, to enable the effective design and planning of project(s), the application of a results-based management approach and definition of quality criteria. Developing project plans and milestones, including risk management measures. Effectively overseeing project implementation, providing recommendations for innovative approaches to project execution and capacity building. Ensuring timely and effective implementation of critical project components i.e. budgeting, human resources, services, procurement etc. in line with OSCE’s financial and administrative rules and regulations. Regularly reviewing the project(s) status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality);
• Resource mobilization – Mapping and developing opportunities for project and activity funding in close co-ordination with relevant internal collaborating stakeholders. Providing support in fundraising for projects in the area of responsibility in close co-ordination with the Senior Economic Officer and other OCEEA staff and personnel from other departments through access to OSCE delegations, partner organizations and bilateral and multilateral donors. Maintaining and developing a contact network of multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, government officials, UN Agencies and other International Organizations, IFIs, private sector, private foundations and civil society;
• Carrying out other duties as assigned.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat and the OCEEA, please see https://www.osce.org/secretariat and https://www.osce.org/oceea

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in Economics and/or Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, International Law or related field;
• Recognized project management certification would be an asset;
• A minimum of seven years (five years with a relevant second-level degree) of professional experience in economic affairs or international development at the international level;
• Experience in project and programme development and management, stakeholder management and partnerships;
• Solid understanding of and experience in economic governance issues, in particular regional economic co-operation, investment promotion, trade facilitation, connectivity, private sector partnerships, socio-economic development, business development and/or related areas;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of another OSCE language, especially Russian, would be an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in carrying out conceptualization and analysing socio-economic data and trends and proven track record in project management;
• Proven track record in developing public-private partnerships;
• Knowledge of and experience with mainstreaming gender in policy and project work;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

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.

Closing Date: Mar 6, 2026

About the Organization

With 56 States drawn from Europe, Central Asia and America, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization, bringing comprehensive and co-operative security to a region that stretches from Vancouver to Vladivostok. It offers a forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts the political will of the participating States into practice through its unique network of field missions.