Network Management Officer

Job Description

Background:

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 Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality is committed to further improving gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the OSCE. Currently female staff in the above-mentioned field of expertise is underrepresented, and are therefore encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

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 Chairmanship, 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.

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) is the main OSCE body dealing with the politico-military aspects of security and provides a forum for political dialogue for OSCE participating States. The Communications and Technology Unit within the Conflict Prevention Centre at the OSCE Secretariat supports the work of the FSC, and other political bodies, by providing the technical means for secure communication between Participating States in order for them to meet their international commitments.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Communications and Technology Unit (CTU) manages the OSCE Communications Network and provides direction to participating States as well as contractor staff regarding support of network operations and OSCE software. The CTU also supports other entities within the OSCE, including Executive Structures and Field Operations. The CTU administers all network and communication operations from the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC).

Under the overall supervision of the Chief CTU, as Network Management Officer, you will be responsible for the accomplishment and co-ordination of the following tasks:

1. Ensuring operation, continuity of service, as well as the security, reliability and integrity of network operations as well as commercial and custom-built software applications:

a. Managing system administration and maintenance, including backups, software updates and hardware replacement on network computers (including End User Stations in capitals), servers, and devices (for example, firewalls, switches, etc.) in accordance with operational standards approved by the OSCE Communications Group;
b. Providing oversight of, responding to, and advising users when End User Stations are disconnected from the Network, must be disconnected or are experiencing technical or security related issues. Solutions are provided based on identified first-level standards; second-level and higher-level issues are co-ordinated with the Supervisor. If lengthy outages are expected, communicating with users to use alternative means of communication;
c. Bringing attention to Supervisor problems encountered in operation of the provided services; providing technical advice and identifying solutions to delegations, users, and requestors of information;
d. Ensuring Help Desk inquiries from users are answered. Providing second-level support and co-ordinating the development of solutions with CTU staff and/or contractors, as needed;
e. Managing the support of users in pS with installation, troubleshooting and training of all offered services by telephone, remote control of a user’s computer or, in specific cases, travel to OSCE locations.

2. Identifying, designing and developing technical solutions as well as procedural and protocol improvements to enhance the security, reliability and integrity of services provided;

3. Training users, organizing User Group Meetings and ensuring network discipline;

4. Assisting the Chief CTU in the supervision of the outsourced contracts and acting as replacement for the Chief CTU as required;

5. Performing other related work as assigned.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in telecommunications/electrical/ electronic/network/computer engineering, or similar field(s);
• Minimum of six years of progressive experience in worldwide networking, virtualization and Virtual Private Networks;
• Experience obtained at international private or government organizations related to information technology or network operations;
• Experience demonstrating a good understanding of worldwide communication technologies and procedures;
• Experience in applying knowledge of network operations, MS Windows Server 2019, MS Windows 7 and 10, Exchange Server 2019; Virtualization such as VMware, MS Azure, HyperV; CISCO ASA Firewalls; HP MSA; TCP/IP protocols;
• Excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement and team spirit;
• Experience in software development, and skills in Javascript, C++, C#, MySQL, and HTML is desired;
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Core Infrastructure and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) related to SQL Server and Windows Server expertise, Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise/Security and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security Certifications would be desired;
• Professional fluency in the English language, with excellent written and oral communication skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team and colleagues throughout the OSCE with different cultural, religious and professional backgrounds as well as different gender, diverse political views and approaches to problems, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook) and design applications.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post 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.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

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.