Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) represents the United Nations in advancing international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space for economic, social and scientific development, in particular for the benefit of developing countries. This position is located within the Office of the Director (OD), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, and under overall guidance of the Director, UNOOSA. For more information about UNOOSA, please visit the website: www.unoosa.org

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide analytical and drafting support for resource mobilisation efforts, including preparing tailored narrative materials and supporting inputs for external engagement; compiling and synthesising qualitative and quantitative information relevant to partnerships and funding; and translating findings into succinct management products.
• Provide anticipatory, solutions-oriented support to the Office of the Director (OD), including preparing concise strategic notes, decision briefs, meeting summaries and follow-up actions; draft and refine high-level speeches, statements, reports and official correspondence; and ensure leadership priorities are reflected consistently across OD deliverables and engagements. Contribute to the effective servicing of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its subcommittees by preparing and reviewing substantive inputs, background documentation and briefing packages; support the preparation of policy papers and talking points for formal and informal consultations; and help ensure that documents meet quality standards and are accessible to diverse Member State audiences.
• Strengthen internal coordination between the OD and the different sections at UNOOSA by organising inputs, aligning messaging and facilitating timely exchanges; support internal consultations to consolidate contributions from relevant entities; and promote a coherent institutional narrative across intergovernmental and external-facing outputs.
• Support the planning and delivery of UNOOSAs engagement with Permanent Missions and other institutional counterparts in Vienna; provide political and diplomatic advice grounded in monitoring of Member State positions, priorities and negotiation dynamics; identify partnership opportunities linked to Member State initiatives relevant to UNOOSAs mandate; and support relationship continuity through structured stakeholder mapping and engagement tracking.
• Coordinate the development of strategic communications outputs in line with UNOOSA objectives and leadership direction; oversee the drafting and editing of press releases, public information materials and web/public-facing content; liaise with media/public affairs counterparts as appropriate; and support preparation for leadership media engagement, including key messages and Q&A.
• Collect, organize and analyse data from multiple sources to identify trends, risks and opportunities; prepare charts, tables, dashboards and other visual products to support evidence-based planning, presentations and reporting; and contribute to periodic internal and external reporting requirements.
• Maintain action trackers, internal calendars and coordination logs for OD-related workstreams; support document workflow (clearances, version control, distribution lists, filing and retrieval); assist with organizing meetings and consultations (agendas, participant coordination, speaking order, meeting packs); and contribute to maintaining reference materials, templates and standard briefing elements to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Perform other work-related duties as required. Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to space activities and space governance as well as professional competence in managing and maintaining relations with Governments and other stakeholders. Understanding of global space governance, space law, and policy, and how they intersect with Member State priorities. Ability to identify issues, analyse, and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet, and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following disciplines is required: International Relations, Political Science, Communications, Public Administration or related fields. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional work experience providing direct support of multilateral and intergovernmental processes related to space matters, space policy, or international governance (such as UN bodies, committees, conferences or working groups) is required. Work experience engaging and working effectively with governmental counterparts and institutional key stakeholders (such as Permanent Missions and international organizations), with demonstrated capacity to maintain partnerships and provide substantive inputs to intergovernmental coordination and related processes, is required. Direct work experience preparing and editing a broad range of written products in a multilingual, multilateral environment, adapting content for both specialist and non-specialist audiences (e.g., briefs, reports, official correspondence, talking points, public-facing materials), is required. Direct work experience observing, tracking and interpreting key stakeholders priorities and positions, and translating qualitative and quantitative information into concise analytical outputs for senior decision-makers, including policy briefs, strategic notes, press-related materials and visual reporting products (e.g., dashboards and other data visualizations) is desirable. Work experience within the…