The OSCE Secretariat is hiring an Assistant Project Officer for its climate change and security work in Vienna, a short-term P1 position paying around €4,800 a month tax-exempt, with applications closing on 1 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we read the vacancy notice in full so you can see exactly what this project support role involves before applying, including the short-term nature of the contract itself.
This is a genuine P1 professional post at an international organisation, and it is explicitly open to junior candidates: a first university degree plus two years of experience, or one year with a relevant second degree, is enough to qualify.
A Short-Term Post Worth Reading Carefully
⏳ The vacancy states plainly that this is a short-term position for the duration of 5 months and 29 days. That is not a typo or an unusually specific way of saying six months: it is one day short of the threshold that would change the contract's classification, and it is worth going in with that expectation rather than assuming renewal.
📅 The target start date is as soon as possible, so the short contract begins running from day one of your appointment.
The Organisation Behind the Role
🌍 The OSCE's comprehensive approach to security covers politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects, addressing arms control, confidence and security-building measures, economic governance, climate change, environment and security, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, and counter-terrorism. All 57 participating States hold equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, though 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 Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, OCEEA, deals with economic and environmental issues on the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. Its role is twofold: monitoring economic and environmental developments among participating States and alerting them to threats of instability, and facilitating the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives to promote security.
Why Climate Change Sits Inside a Security Organisation
🌐 The OSCE provides a platform for political dialogue on security risks associated with climate change across the OSCE region. OCEEA, working closely with OSCE Field Operations and other entities together with international partners, implements activities on the ground to raise awareness and assess and address potential security risks linked to climate change.
📜 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No. 3/21 on Strengthening Co-operation to Address the Challenges Caused by Climate Change, adopted in Stockholm in December 2021, recognises that climate change effects can worsen economic challenges and environmental degradation, negatively affecting prosperity, stability and security in the OSCE area. It tasks OCEEA, Field Operations and other relevant OSCE structures with helping participating States implement its provisions, in co-operation with other regional and international organisations. The decision also emphasises the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and girls where appropriate, in related programmes.
🗂️ The post sits in the Environmental Co-operation Unit within OCEEA, and it is an extra-budgetary post within the project "Strengthening Co-operation for Regional Climate Resilience and Security in the OSCE area", currently envisaged to run until the end of 2030.
Who You Would Work For
🧑💼 The Assistant Project Officer reports to the Senior Climate Change and Security Adviser, with the Deputy Co-ordinator/Head, Environmental Activities, acting as second-level supervisor.
🛠️ You would assist with project planning, implementation and management, supporting the preparation and delivery of assigned project activities and routine outputs in accordance with established procedures and the guidance of your supervisor, working under close supervision and applying basic project administration principles and established OSCE procedures.
The Nine Tasks
🔎 Assisting with research and monitoring developments in relevant thematic or geographical areas, collecting, organising and summarising data and information for the supervisor's review.
🗓️ Assisting in organising and implementing project activities, which may include workshops, missions, conferences, study visits and training interventions, by liaising with participants, preparing written material for approval, obtaining administrative approvals, and following up on pending matters and deadlines.
📝 Collecting information and preparing draft inputs for progress and financial reports, monitoring and evaluation reports, follow-up project proposals, concept notes, talking points and background material, plus proofreading and formatting documents to standard practice.
📊 Assisting with monitoring and administering assigned project activities, including tracking workplans, deliverables, budgets and expenditure, maintaining project records, and flagging delays, discrepancies or other issues to the supervisor.
🗃️ Supporting administrative arrangements, including preparing terms of reference and related documentation for consultants, implementing partners and vendors under instruction, providing administrative and logistical support for in-person, online and hybrid events, and maintaining project databases, files and contact lists.
💻 Using the OSCE enterprise resource planning system to initiate and follow up, under guidance, on requisitions, recruitment of consultants, training and study tours, purchases of services and goods, payments and travel requests and claims, and handling routine related inquiries.
🤝 Supporting liaison with international, regional and national governmental and non-governmental institutions within the project framework, for collecting and sharing information, supporting participation and facilitating practical co-ordination of project activities.
📌 Carrying out other tasks as assigned.
What You Need
🎓 A first-level university degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Renewable Energy Innovation, Social Sciences or another relevant field.
🕑 A minimum of two years of professional experience assisting with project planning, implementation and reporting, or one year with a relevant second-level degree, preferably in climate change, environmental issues or a related field.
🌡️ Established knowledge and understanding of developments in climate change, environment, biodiversity, social sciences or related fields.
🗂️ The ability to collect, organise and summarise information from a variety of sources and prepare draft project documents and background materials.
🏛️ Experience working with or for the OSCE, or in the OSCE area, is considered an asset.
🗣️ Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
⚖️ Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
🌍 The ability and willingness to work as part of a team with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, genders and political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
💻 Digital literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus internet use; experience with an ERP system is an asset.
Pay and Conditions
💶 Monthly remuneration is around €4,800, with the actual salary depending on post adjustment. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria.
🩺 Social benefits include the possibility of joining the Cigna medical insurance scheme.
🩹 Appointments are subject to medical clearance.
🎂 The OSCE applies an age limit of 62 years at the time of appointment, since the incumbent is normally expected to carry out a two-year contractual obligation; mandatory retirement across contracted general service, professional and director-level positions is 65.
Who Can Apply
🌍 Vacancies at the OSCE are open for competition only among nationals of participating States. All 57 participating States, Türkiye included, qualify under this notice.
⚖️ The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply.
🕴️ Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant, avoiding anything that could adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position, in line with the OSCE Competency Model.
The Process, and the Roster
📨 Applications go through the OSCE's online application system.
🔄 The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise or re-post the vacancy, cancel the recruitment, offer an appointment at a lower grade, or offer an appointment with a modified job description or a different duration.
📞 Only candidates selected to move to the next stage of recruitment are contacted.
🗒️ Candidates interviewed and found suitable will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates, valid for three years, for fixed-term posts, should a matching opportunity arise. Placement on the roster does not guarantee a future appointment.
🚫 The OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is this contract?
5 months and 29 days, described in the vacancy as a short-term position, with the actual start date as soon as possible.
Who can apply?
Nationals of any of the OSCE's 57 participating States, which includes Türkiye.
What level of experience is required?
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience, or one year with a relevant second-level degree, alongside a first-level university degree in a related field.
Is the salary published?
Yes, approximately €4,800 a month, tax-exempt in Austria, though the exact figure depends on post adjustment.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. The OSCE applies an age limit of 62 years at the time of appointment.
Does being interviewed guarantee a job?
No. Suitable candidates are placed on a three-year roster rather than guaranteed an appointment, even after being interviewed and found suitable.
Does the OSCE ever ask for payment during recruitment?
No. The vacancy notice states explicitly that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
Deadline
⏳ 1 October 2026
The closing date is 1 October 2026, and given the position's short duration and the "as soon as possible" start date, there is little lead time between selection and starting work. Find more Jobs on Youth Works Hub.
