Web Development Associate

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

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Affairs, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Document Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Communication and Media Relations Section (COMMS) supports and advises the Secretary General and the OSCE Chairmanship on media and public relations activities, and informs external audiences about the work of the OSCE. COMMS also serves as the focal point for public statements and other communication material from OSCE Institutions and field operations. COMMS produces and disseminates press releases, information materials and regular publications, maintains the public website, the Organization’s social media presence and promotes the OSCE’s values, principles and work.

The incumbent will be required to engage with colleagues from the ICTS to align on security- and maintenance-related topics. S/he will also need to engage with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to Communication Focal Points across the organization (including Field Operations and Institutions), media representatives, members of the public and vendors contracted by the OSCE.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Digital Strategy and Communications and in close collaboration with the Spokesperson/Head of Comms and with the Chief, Media Relations Unit the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

• Ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the organization’s Drupal-based websites, as well as the implementation of new web-based Information Systems and technical improvements. The role encompasses active participation throughout the full software development lifecycle, including requirement analysis, preparation of technical specifications, design, documentation, development, testing, deployment, security management, and auditing of web systems;

• Administration, monitoring, and resource planning of web services, including applications, databases, web servers, and database servers. This includes configuring and fine-tuning web application firewalls and logging services to facilitate trend analysis and proactive threat prevention. The role also involves defining, developing, and executing automated testing procedures aimed at enhancing service
  reliability and stability;

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  Liaising with external consultants and vendors involved in the development or the hosting of the OSCE web presences;

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  Providing quality assurance and participating in quality improvement activities, such as performing code reviews and testing to verify that software meets specified requirements;

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  Supporting COMMS and organizational website activities by implementing assigned tasks in the agreed organization-wide web development projects in collaboration with other teams and users (e.g. Campaign websites, Portals, APPs);

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  Developing and delivering comprehensive training programs related to the use and management of the organization's websites. Responsibilities include producing technical documentation, user manuals, training materials, and presentations, as well as conducting training sessions tailored to diverse staff groups;

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  Supporting organizational activities during planning and implementation of the various projects by providing technical expert advice on proposed courses of action and most effective implementations in terms of development capabilities, strategies and Organization's rules and regulations;

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  Taking part in COMMS support to stakeholders; partakes in a roster of colleagues monitoring COMMS helpdesk for incoming queries; answers general inquiries addressed to the section; identifies the resource person for specific or sensitive inquiries; performs basic content operations on the OSCE website, such as uploading PDFs or editing pages;

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  Supporting the COMMS team in other areas such as live streaming of events and the management of internal communications platforms (e.g., Confluence, Jira, LastPass, video editing workstations);

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  Performing other related duties as required.

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

Necessary Qualifications:

• Completed secondary education, as well as specialized training in computer science, information systems, software engineering, information design or an equivalent information technology-related field;
• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in the fields of planning, design, development, maintenance, and support of Drupal-based websites; a university degree in a relevant field may be considered as a substitute for up to two years of working experience only to determine eligibility;
• Experience in managing and/or participating in software development projects that use agile methods;
• Experience in gathering, documenting, and analysing information systems requirements;
• Design and development of web applications using Drupal, PHP, CSS, MySQL and modern JavaScript frameworks. Experience with React, Storybook and instantsearch.js is desirable;
• Good knowledge of relational databases, such as MySQL, including database design and performance optimization;
• Good knowledge of system administration for the Linux Operating System;
• Experience with web accessibility and the design of user frontends;

• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills;

• Working knowledge of German is a strong asset;

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deduction, is around EUR 5,410 (12 times a year) depending on family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Appointments are normally made at Step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. In exceptional cases, an initial appointment at up to Step 3 may be considered. This depends on factors such as relevant experience exceeding minimum requirements or higher previous remuneration. Any such request by a candidate must be reviewed and approved by the OSCE before the appointment.

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.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of 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 note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

The mandatory retirement age at the OSCE is 65 years for contracted positions at the general service, professional and director level. The Organization shall apply an age limit of 62 years at the time of appointment as the incumbent selected is normally expected to carry out the contractual obligation of two years.

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