International Technical Expert for Secure Network Operations

Organization: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

Country: Austria

City: Vienna

Office: OSCE Vienna

Closing date: Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Background:

Please note that this is a expert/consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of up to max 120 working days per calendar year. Work location: home-based (Vienna) and OSCE Secretariat. Travel within the OSCE region.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental as well as human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, 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 OSCE decision-making bodies in its activities and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

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 and the Chairmanship; in leading work on all aspects of the conflict cycle and 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 & Technology Unit (CTU) 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.

To further support these processes, the CTU is seeking to hire a technical expert who will be entrusted with substantive responsibilities in providing necessary expertise and advisory in the field of secure network operations, related to the exchange of arms control data and notifications. This expert not only should have knowledge of such arms control information exchange processes but should first and foremost have extensive experience in network engineering, Microsoft Windows administration, and software programming especially with the main tailored applications related to integrated notification, and information management and reporting systems.

The consultant would be working under the guidance and supervision of the Chief CTU, and with the support of the other CTU colleagues (network management officer and assistant) ensuring effective co-ordination of activities required to maintain the Communications Network operational. She/he will be tasked with providing advice and support to end users located in capitals of all 57 OSCE participating States, maintain the network’s central services as well as coordinate with external contractors and consultants to solve 3rd order problems.

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).

The technical expert will have the following tasks and responsibilities: 1. Support CTU’s ongoing operation, support, and maintenance of the OSCE Communications Network and its connected End User Stations in capitals, in accordance with operational standards approved by the OSCE Communications Group. 2. Support CTU’s ongoing support and maintenance of the Integration Notification Application (INA), the Automated Data Systems (ADS) and the Information Management and Reporting System (iMARS). 3. Provide first- and second-level support to users of the OSCE Communication Network, including on INA, ADS and iMARS. 4. Liaise with appropriate contractors and consultants when issues escalate to third-level support (such as necessary modification of programmatic code). 5. Train CTU staff and users on all operations pertaining to the OSCE Communications Network, INA, ADS and iMARS. 6. Provide documentation outlining administrative support for all operations pertaining to the OSCE Communications Network, INA, ADS and iMARS. 7. Support other activities related to this project.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

First-level university degree in Telecommunications/Electrical/ Electronic/Network/Computer Engineering;
Minimum of six years of progressive experience in worldwide networking, virtualization and Virtual Private Networks;
Knowledge of 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;
Experience in software development, and skills in Javascript, C++, C#, MySQL, and HTML is desired, as well as knowledge of the main applications ADS, INA and iMARS;
Excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement and team spirit;
Professional fluency in the English language, with excellent written and oral communication skills; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be an asset;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook) and design applications.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

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 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.

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.

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

Additional Information

Issued by: OSCE Secretariat

Requisition ID: SEC000136

Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant

Grade: No grade

Job Type: Consultant

Number of posts: 1

Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna

Issue Date: Feb 8, 2023

Closing Date: Mar 7, 2023

Job Field: Security

Target Start Date: As soon as possible

Link to the organization’s job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1677005512753