Secretariat - Training Section


Training at the OSCE is conducted both at a headquarters level and in the field. It prepares staff for deployment to the field and raises the skills of staff employed by the Organization.

The goals of the training programmes are to enhance the ability of the institutions and field activities to carry out their mandate, to strengthen the performance of the Organization and to improve its effectiveness particularly in the field activities.

Induction course

This general orientation programme for new staff members is held in Vienna and includes topics such as

  • OSCE structures and activities
  • OSCE missions overview
  • Supervisory skills in a cross-cultural environment
  • Stress management
  • Mission support
  • Security
  • Inter-agency and multi-disciplinary co-operation
  • OSCE human dimension
  • Gender issues and rights of the child
  • Training in missions

Courses organized by the missions provide training close to the actual activities. They reach from presentation to communication training, customer care, teambuilding and various IT courses. Other training programmes focus on the development of technical skills like performance appraisal, project management, conflict resolution and negotiation.

Some large missions (Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Skopje) maintain their own training units. Mission members may attend courses provided by the Training Section at the Secretariat and also courses outside the mission area for other specific topics.

Staff from smaller missions participate the training activities in Vienna and in regional training events, organized by their missions.

Focal Points for Training

In all OSCE field activities and institutions Focal Points for Training have been identified in order to improve co-ordination of all training related issues. In an effort to ensure an OSCE wide approach to staff training, the Training Co-ordinator invites all Focal Points for Training once a year in order to discuss latest developments and to share experiences and best practices in the field of training.