Research Fellowships

About

As part of its International Research Fellowship Programme, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly International Secretariat engages every year five or six graduate students of political science, law and international relations from universities in OSCE countries as Research Fellows. Fellowship positions are granted for six month periods. Housing is provided free of charge and all Research Fellows receive a small stipend of 564 euros per month, which covers minimum living expenses in Copenhagen. Students may join the International Secretariat in order to gain practical experience in the field of international affairs, and the Assembly, in turn, benefits from an increased language capacity as well as a strong research capability.

Tasks

The primary duty of Research Fellows is to conduct substantive research on various projects for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and provide assistance to its officials and staff members. Research Fellows prepare briefing reports for election monitoring delegations and briefings in preparation for official visits by the President of the Assembly. They also assist in the planning and execution of meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly, work with the various Assembly Committees and ad hoc Working Groups (Democracy Teams), follow the work of the OSCE Field Missions and write updates on Mission activities. In addition, Fellows are often asked to help draft speeches and statements and write papers on special projects undertaken by the Assembly's Secretariat. They also assist with day-to-day practical work in the office such as answering phones, copying, filing and other necessary chores.

Qualifications

The Secretariat mainly recruits graduate students with strong research and writing abilities and a solid academic background. Specific interests in the politics of the OSCE region, and particularly the former Soviet Union, are desirable. Competence in English and usually one other official OSCE language (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish) is required. Computer skills for word-processing and research are also necessary. All Fellowships demand a six months time commitment.

Application procedure

Fellowship positions are available twice a year: one intake in September/October and another intake in February/March. Applications for the OSCE PA International Research Fellowship Programme are accepted at any time of year, but the deadline for the Autumn intake is 15 May of each year, and 15 November for the Spring intake. Applications must include: the completed application form; a short cover letter; a curriculum vitae; a transcript of grades; two letters of recommendation; and a recent photograph. Click here for an application form (in PDF format) or order one directly from the International Secretariat:

Application Form

Dana Bjerregaard
Assistant to the Secretary General

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Rådhusstræde 1

1466 Copenhagen K., Denmark
Tel.: +45 33 37 80 40
Fax: +45 33 37 80 30
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