NORCAP works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crisis and climate change. We do this by providing expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding partners, because we believe working together is the best way to reduce needs, risks and vulnerability over time. We seek and promote more effective ways of working at the global level and in the field. NORCAP's aim is not only to reduce needs, but also to create choice and opportunity for vulnerable people. NORCAP works with and through our partners to improve aid in two complementary ways:

• We provide targeted expertise to strengthen our partners' response.

• We collaborate with partners to develop solutions to unmet gaps and challenges.
   

This role is delivered through NORDEM, NORCAP's resource bank for democracy and human rights, and reflects our commitment to strengthening dialogue, confidence-building and early warning capacity across the OSCE region.
 

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) takes a comprehensive approach to security, covering political-military, economic, environmental and human dimensions across its 57 participating States. The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna supports the Chairpersonship and provides operational and policy support to field operations. Within the Secretariat, the Conflict Prevention Centre's Policy Support Service is the main point of contact on field operations, providing analysis, advice and support to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, including on the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and related conflict formats.

As Senior Policy Support Officer (GID), you will provide policy advice with a focus on the Geneva International Discussions and related meetings, drafting speeches, statements, background briefings and talking points on OSCE activities in the conflict context. You will lead and manage a Policy Support Officer, analyse the impact of ongoing activities against agreed objectives, and provide policy advice, reporting and early warning input, including on confidence-building measures. Success in this role means the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship are well briefed, well supported, and positioned to act early on emerging risks.
 

The position is based in Vienna, Austria, with an initial contract duration of 12 months (subject to confirmation as part of the 2026 Unified Budget process). You will report to the Deputy Director for Policy Support Service, with the Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre acting as second-level supervisor.

NB. This assignment is open for Norwegian passport holders only. 
 

As the Senior Policy Support Officer (GID), you will take on the following responsibilities:

Role and Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse developments in the assigned context, with a focus on early warning signals of potential crises, and recommend appropriate preventive or reactive action to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship.

• Assist in implementing policy and mandate guidance from the Secretary General and participating States, including leading or taking part in meetings with relevant Institutions, Units and the OSCE Troika, in particular on the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and its formats.

• Provide expert advisory, technical and material support to the Secretary General and the Chairpersonship, including research, analytical reports, policy options, background information, and draft decisions and statements on OSCE field activities.

• Support the Chairperson-in-Office's engagement on the ground, including co-moderating GID Working Group 2 and supporting Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meetings.

• Facilitate coordination of confidence-building programmes, people-to-people contacts, and entry points for mediation and dialogue, and help prepare senior-level meetings, visits and travel.

• Lead consultations with partner organisations at headquarters and in the field, and present the Organization's work to international organisations, officials and delegations.

• Supervise a Policy Support Officer and, where relevant, interns: allocate tasks and resources, support performance and professional development, contribute to onboarding, and participate in selection panels as required.

• Ensure a gender perspective is considered and integrated across all activities developed and managed by the team.

• Please read the attached terms of reference for more details before applying.
   

Please note that this position is administered through NORDEM, NORCAP's resource bank for democracy and human rights, on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is therefore open only to candidates holding Norwegian citizenship.