Overview
The Head, Conference and Language Services provides management and operational oversight for the planning, co-ordination, and delivery of conference and language services supporting OSCE meetings. The role serves as the primary interlocutor for delegations and meeting organizers, ensuring effective delivery of interpretation, translation, documentation, protocol, and logistical support services.
Key Responsibilities
- Acting as the principal interlocutor for delegations on all matters related to conference and language services, ensuring timely and authoritative guidance on rules of procedure, protocol, accreditation, and related matters;
- Leading the planning and co-ordination of meetings and conferences of the OSCE in Vienna and other locations, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and seamless delivery of conference, language services, and documentation related matters;
- Negotiating and managing contracts with external service providers, including in respect of the OSCE’s meeting premises with respective support from the Facilities Management unit in DMF and Office of the Legal Affairs, and co-ordinating logistical, protocol, and security arrangements with host country authorities and relevant stakeholders;
- Overseeing the provision of substantive, procedural, and editorial support to OSCE decision-making bodies, as well as the Joint Consultative Group and the Open Skies Consultative Commission, ensuring high-quality meeting documentation and advisory services;
- Managing staff by effective supervision, participating in recruitments and by performance management based on clear and objective criteria;
- Preparing the CLS budget and is responsible for sound financial management, seeking cost-sharing arrangements where possible;
- Providing strategic advice to senior management on policy development, service improvement, benchmarking, and ICT-enabled innovation in conference and language service delivery;
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Required Experience
A minimum of ten years (twelve years with a relevant first-level degree) of progressively responsible experience at the international level in international organizations or public administration, conference management and/or other related fields; At least five years of this experience shall be in a senior and/or managerial position; Proven diplomatic experience engaging with external stakeholders including at senior level e.g. at governmental level, or representatives of delegations, and co-ordinating high-level diplomatic meetings; Demonstrated experience in budget management and staff supervision; Knowledge of conference services.
Qualifications
Second-level university degree in international relations, political sciences, international law or other law studies, public and business administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree in relevant fields in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree.
