Background:

OSCE field operations are the front line of the OSCE’s engagement on the ground, supporting host authorities in fulfilling OSCE commitments and implementing a comprehensive approach to security. The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the Organization’s longest-serving field operation working on social cohesion, fundamental rights, gender equality, the rule of law, good governance, integrity and anticorruption, criminal justice and police reform.

The Mission is seeking to engage national interns looking to enhance their knowledge and skills, and gain practical experience in programmatic work in a variety of areas. The role offers an opportunity to work in an international environment and learn about the Mission’s mandate and dedicated work in the host country, by being directly involved in development and implementation of project activities, drafting, reporting and analysis of information, as well as supporting the Mission’s communication efforts.

Internships are available in the following departments:
• Head of Mission Department/Office of Political Affairs and Communications (OPAC) – 1 position
• Public Safety and Community Outreach Department (PSCOD) – 2 positions
• Human Dimension Department (HDD) – 2 positions

Candidates should specify in the cover letter preferred area(s) of interest and specific department they wish to join.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Head of Mission Department/Office of Political Affairs and Communications (OPAC):

The intern will support the Mission’s communication efforts by assisting in the creation and scheduling of social media content, monitoring platforms, and providing research on trends and audience engagement. Work will focus on enhancing social media presence of the Mission’s five priority areas: Criminal Justice, Fundamental Rights and Social Cohesion, Integrity and Anti-Corruption, Gender Equality, and Youth Inclusion and Violence Prevention. More specifically:

• Assist in drafting and scheduling posts for the Mission’s social media channels;
• Monitor comments and direct messages, flagging any issues to the supervisor;
• Conduct research on social media trends and audience behaviour;
• Support the design of graphics, video and visuals for Mission social media platforms;
• Participate in brainstorming sessions to develop content ideas aligned with the Mission’s goals;
• Help prepare basic performance reports on social media metrics;
• Assist in video projects involving collaboration with the Mission’s external PR company, including logistical and content-related support.

Public Safety and Community Outreach Department (PSCOD):

The intern, under the core supervision of the Head of PSCOD or his/her delegate, will be acquainted and assist to all tasks connected with the management, structures and strategic, operational, and project/activity implementation of PSCOD programmatic areas. On the principle of rotation, they will be assigned duties related to and encompassing the Head of PSCOD’s Office, Community Outreach Unit (COU) and Criminal Justice Police Reform Unit (CJPRU). More specifically:

• Learn about the work of the OSCE Mission to Skopje (OMSk);
• Learn about the programmatic efforts of OMSk PSCOD management, structures and strategic, operational, and project/activity implementation via PSCOD programmatic areas procedure, through rotation in all sections of PSCOD;
• Assist PSCOD in administrative and operational duties related to management of activity implementation;
• As assigned by the supervisor, assist in review of records, in filtering obsolete material and archiving non-active records;
• Assist in maintenance and update of non-sensitive or non-confidential physical and digital records database(s).

Human Dimension Department (HDD):

The intern, under the direct guidance of the respective National Programme/Rule of Law Officers and supervision of the Chief of the respective Units, will be acquainted and assist to all tasks connected with the management, structures and strategic, operational, and project/activity implementation of HDD programmatic areas. More specifically:

• Provide assistance in the implementation of HDD project activities, through rotation in all sections of HDD, specifically within the Democratization and Rule of Law and Human Rights Units;
• Extract information and draft summaries related to inter alia social cohesion, integrity, anti-corruption and good governance, youth, criminal justice, judicial independence, human rights promotion and protection, anti-discrimination, gender equality and countering violence against women and girls;
• Provide assistance in preparation of background and briefing materials, analytical papers and legal research;
• Participate in internal, as well as external meetings with relevant institutions and organizations in the country, and draft minutes;
• Assist in the organization of events of the HDD;
• Assist with interpretation/translation when required.

For more detailed information on the work of OSCE Mission to Skopje, please see www.osce.org/skopje.
You may also visit https://jobs.osce.org/internships, where you can find a video created by former interns.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Citizenship of or permanent residence in the Republic of North Macedonia;
• Be not older than 30 years on the date of the deadline for application, and have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education, preferably in a field relevant to the OSCE’s mandate and security sector, including related to a) communication, international relations, marketing, and b) social sciences, law, business administration, project management or similar, from an accredited institution, or have completed a first or advanced university degree no longer than two years before the application deadline;
• Present interest in the areas of:
  a) campaign development and implementation, advocacy and public outreach,
  b) community rights and community engagement
  c) rule of law and human rights, i.e., criminal justice, integrity and anti-corruption, judicial independence, human rights promotion and protection, anti-discrimination, gender equality and countering violence against women and girls;
  d) democratization, i.e., social cohesion, elections, good governance, youth and education;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people from different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Strong analytical, research, and drafting skills;
• Good organizational skills with the ability to process and classify information quickly and efficiently;
• Ability to work in a confidential environment and maintain discretion;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English and local languages;
• Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

The OSCE does not pay remuneration to interns. In lieu of remuneration, the Mission may contribute with an equivalent to 10% of the applicable BLA rate (EUR 12.3 per diem) to interns who are non-residents at the duty station.

The selected intern may participate in the group health insurance scheme at their own expense, and the OSCE will cover life and accident/disability insurance. If the intern opts to arrange their own medical coverage, they shall provide evidence of medical coverage at the duty station, and for any eventual duty trip destinations.

The internship will be on full-time basis for 6 months.

The internship does not constitute a commitment to future employment with the OSCE.

If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply for this internship opportunity, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

Please specify in the cover letter your preferred area(s) of interest and specific department you wish to join.

Only candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or offer an internship with modified terms of reference or a different duration.

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.