Deputy Head of Programme Office (DHoM) - Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Bishkek)

About this position

The summary below is published by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Oversee and manage the implementation of the Programme Office in Bishkek mandate, plans and policies, coordinating departments/programmes including administrative and operational matters
• Supervise and coordinate the implementation of project activities and their implementation and evaluation in accordance with the POiB Mandate
• Oversee implementation and reporting of key extrabudgetary initiatives
• Liaise, negotiate and maintain effective communication with external interlocutors, including host country authorities and international organization partners
• Maintain effective communication and coordination with the Secretariat and other Executive Structures
• Manage and lead the day-to-day operation of the Office of the Head of Office, including Legal, Press and Public Relations, Project Coordination and Political Units
• Assist in the coordination of POiB activities with the host government, international organizations, OSCE Institutions and civil society
• Oversee preparations of monthly activity reports for the OSCE participating States and provide input into strategic documents

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science, project management, management, law, or related fields; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience, including at least 5 years at the management level relevant to the actual position; at least 5 years of proven experience in project management, including development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Languages: English (profess…), Russian (profess…), Kyrgyz (profess…)
• Key skills: Diplomatic and negotiation skills, Excellent communication and drafting skills, Experience in preparing analytical reports, Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment, Experience in result-based programme management, Excellent judgment and tact in handling sensitive political matters, Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and within limited timeframes, Ability to solve problems effectively and efficiently, Ability to establish contact and develop confident relations with host country government officials and institutions, Ability to work with civil society
• Eligibility: Nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply. OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Online application submission
• Interviews for selected candidates
• Placement on roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) if found suitable

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Fixed-term; maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission is seven years.

Hiring unit: OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Position details

Reference

5152

Last Verified

11 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Deputy Head of Programme Office (DHoM) at OSCE based in Bishkek. The vacancy reference is 5152.

General Minimum Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

- Excellent physical condition

- Possession of a valid automobile driving license and the ability to drive using a manual transmission

- Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure

Field of Expertise Requirements

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

- Diplomatic experience or experience working in political affairs with international organizations or governments - Experience in preparing analytical reports - Excellent communication and drafting skills - Knowledge of regional political history and developments - Diplomatic and negotiation skills - Some knowledge of OSCE principles and commitments

Level of Professional Competence Requirements

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Second-level university degree in international studies, public policy, political science, project management, management, law, or related fields; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience is required, including at least 5 years at the management level relevant to the actual position.

Mission Specific Requirements

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:

Mandatory:

- At least 5 years of proven experience in project management, including development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

- Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment, including demonstrated cultural sensitivity and excellent judgment;

- Experience in result-based programme management;

- Excellent judgment and tact in handling sensitive political matters;

- Professional fluency in English, both written and oral;

- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and within limited timeframes, as well as the ability to solve problems effectively and efficiently;

- Ability to establish contact and develop confident relations with host country government officials and institutions, as well as the ability to work with civil society;

- Strong analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to compile and analyse relevant information;

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

- Ability and willingness to co-ordinate and manage a team with people of diverse backgrounds, and political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

- Ability to operate Windows-based applications and use the Microsoft Office package.

Desirable:

- Previous international work experience and/or experience in field offices, especially in Central Asia;

- Professional fluency in Russian or Kyrgyz languages, both oral and written, is highly desirable.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office (HoO), the incumbent will perform the following functions:

1. In agreement with the HoO, overseeing and managing the implementation of the Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) mandate, plans and policies, co-ordinating departments/programmes including the related administrative and operational matters;

2. Supervising and co-ordinating the implementation of project activities and their implementation and evaluation in accordance with the POiB Mandate, ensuring that all POiB projects are adequately monitored, controlled, and reported on utilizing relevant programme management tools (activity planning, projects, budget cycle, etc.);

3. Overseeing implementation and reporting of key extrabudgetary initiatives, ensuring appropriate information flow and co-ordination between relevant POiB units, implementing partners, and the Secretariat, as necessary;

4. Liaising, negotiating and maintaining effective communication with external interlocutors, including host country authorities, international organization partners, and other key contact points;

5. Maintaining effective communication and co-ordination with the Secretariat and other Executive Structures as required for the effective fulfilment of the POiB's mandate and serving as a focal point for high-level visits and initiatives implemented in the host country by other executive structures;

6. Managing and leading the day-to-day operation of the Office of the HoO, including Legal, Press and Public Relations, Project Co-ordination and Political Units;

7. Assisting in the co-ordination of POiB activities with the host government, international organizations, OSCE Institutions and civil society; identifying local and international stakeholders relevant to the fulfilment of the programme and maintaining regular communication with them;

8. Overseeing preparations of monthly activity reports for the OSCE participating States and providing input into strategic documents;

9. Deputizing for the HoO in her/his absence;

10. Performing other duties as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office, please see:https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-bishkek

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, 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 open for secondment, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission is seven years.

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 seehttps://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found underhttps://vacancies.osce.org/.If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available athttps://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-formto the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found athttps://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here:https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

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

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

- Issued by: OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek - Requisition ID: KYR000396 - Contract Type: International Secondment - Grade: DHoM - Job Level: Senior Management - Job Type: Seconded - Number of posts: 1 - Location: KYR - OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Bishkek - Issue Date: Nov 11, 2026 - Closing Date: Dec 10, 2026 - Employee Status: Fixed Term - Schedule: Full-time - Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent) - Job Field: Political Affairs - Target Start Date: As soon as possible

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 11 November 2026, 1 day ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 11 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at OSCE see the OSCE institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Bishkek see our Bishkek location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.