What is the difference between professional posts and general service posts?

Applicants for positions at the Professional (P) and Director (D) category are required to have a university degree, including several years of experience at national and/or international level in a relevant field of expertise. Professional posts are limited to a maximum of 7 years.

Applicants for positions in the General Service (GS) category are required to have a good level of completed secondary education, supplementary courses related to the functions of the position and the commensurate number of years of relevant working experience.  General service staff contracts may be issued on a one or two yearly basis following a satisfactory performance appraisal and are not limited in the total number of years of service.

What is the difference between contracted and seconded posts?

Contracted staff members and mission members are directly employed by the OSCE and are paid by the OSCE.  Seconded employees are under contract with their respective delegating State and are paid partly by their delegating State and in the missions also receive a Board and Lodging Allowance (BLA).

What types of employment does the OSCE offer?

The various types of employment are listed under Types of employment.

What is the age limit for applying for posts?

The OSCE does not employ anyone over the age of 65.

Can I submit a CV or resume?

Only candidates who complete the OSCE application procedure are eligible.  All candidates are strongly advised to complete the online application.  However, you may attach your CV or other documents to your online application.

If I am successful in my application for a post with an OSCE mission, can I take my family?

From time to time, due to the nature of our business, some of our missions may become hazardous or non-family missions.  This is reviewed on a yearly basis.

What benefits will I get if my candidature is successful?

The salary is found on the vacancy notice.  However, the benefits will depend on your status, the location of the post and the current rates.  If you are offered a post with the OSCE, your recruiter will be happy to discuss this in detail after your appointment. 

Can I work with the OSCE as a temp or consultant?

From time to time and on an Ad hoc basis the OSCE requires temporary assistance or the services of experts and consultants.  For more information refer to Other positions.

Should I send copies of my degrees and diplomas with my application?

You should not send copies of diplomas, degrees or certificates, nor should you send reference letters with your application.  If you are invited to interview you will be asked to supply copies of your degrees and diplomas.  On your application you are asked to submit contact details of 3 referees and contact details for previous supervisors.  The OSCE may make reference checks based on the information supplied.

Should I send a photograph with my application?

A photograph is not required on with your application.

If I am invited to interview will the OSCE pay the interview costs?

If you are invited to an interview for a professional contracted post the OSCE will reimburse you the costs of the most economic form of travel.  For general service posts, no interview costs are reimbursed.

If I am successful will I get any training?

The OSCE conducts an extensive induction training course or “GO Programme” and in addition a variety of courses are conducted by the training sections in our Institutions and Missions.

If I live in a country which is not one of the OSCE participating States, am I eligible to apply?

Vacancies are open for competition only amongst nationals of its 57 participating States.

If a family member works for the OSCE, can I still apply?

An appointment or assignment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister of an OSCE official, except for an appointment of assignment to an institution or mission which is different to from that of the OSCE official. OSCE officials closely related to another shall not be assigned to serve in a post which is directly superior or subordinate in the line of authority to their relative, partner of spouse.

In my online recruitment profile I still have some posts for which the status shows “active application”. When is this updated?

Your status will remain “active” until the recruitment process has been completed and the chosen candidate has accepted the post.

Will I be notified if I have been long listed?

Due to the large amount of applications received we only contact those candidates who have been short listed for interview.

How long does the recruitment process take?

From advertising the vacancy to making an offer to the successful candidate the process takes an average of 2 – 3 months.

If I send the OSCE a completed application with a general interest in employment, will you contact me if something suitable comes up?

Due to the large amount of applications received (over 10,000 per year in Vienna alone) we are not in a position to review your application on an individual basis. You should apply directly for a vacancy which suits your qualifications and experience using the online recruitment procedure.  A recruitment professional will review your application compared to the requirements of the post.

I have a disability.  Can I apply for a post with the OSCE?

The OSCE does not discriminate against disabled candidates.  However, we do ask you to declare any disabilities as it may not be possible to accommodate you in some of our locations.  In addition we should ensure that our staff and mission members are not put you at risk and you are therefore asked to declare this on your application.