Recruitment of Support Staff for the Election Observation Mission to Hungary

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the leading agency in Europe in the field of election observation. The Office co-ordinates and organizes the deployment of numerous observation missions, with thousands of observers, every year to assess the compliance of elections in OSCE participating States with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation. ODIHR’s unique methodology provides in-depth insights into all elements of an electoral process, allowing the Office to offer concrete recommendations to further improve electoral processes. Further details about ODIHR can be found at www.osce.org/odihr.

Following an official invitation from the authorities of Hungary to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April 2026, ODIHR is preparing to deploy an Election Observation Mission (EOM). In this respect, ODIHR is looking to recruit local support staff for the below mentioned short-term positions on full-time basis:                    

Administrative positions:           

• ELE/HUM Senior Procurement and Contracting Assistant (HR portfolio -2 weeks, at the start of mission)        – 1 position                   
• ELE/HUN Driver with own vehicle                                                                   - 1 position                                  
• ELE/HUN Security Guard                                                                                 - 1 position 
• ELE/HUN Security Operations Room Assistant                                                 - 1 position                                      
• ELE/HUN Junior Operations Expert Assistant (2 weeks around elections day)     - 4 positions
• ELE/HUN Drivers with vehicles, minivans (2 weeks around elections day)          - 2 positions 

Programmatic positions: 

• ELE/HUN Senior Political Analyst Assistant  - 1 position

Regional positions - support staff to Long Term Observers:

• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Budapest                      – 2 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Budapest                       – 2 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Debrecen                     – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Debrecen                      – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Miskolc                       – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Miskolc                         – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Szeged                         – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Szeged                          – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Győr                            – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Győr                             – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Pécs                             – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Pécs                              – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Szolnok                       – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Szolnok                        – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Assistant/Interpreter in  Székesfehérvár            – 1 position
• ELE/HUN Long Term Observer Driver with vehicle, in Székesfehérvár             – 1 position

For more information about the responsibilities and requirements of the post, please read the terms of reference, in the Key Resources section at the bottom of this page.

Start date of employment for advance team positions: 25 February 2026 (approx.)

Start date of employment for administrative positions: 25 February 2026 (approx.)

Start date of employment for programmatic positions: 26 February 2026 (approx.)

Start date of employment for regional positions: 7 March 2026 (approx.)

Approximate duration of employment: 5-9 weeks depending on the post, with exception of Senior Parliamentary Liaison Assistant, Statistical Analysts Assistants and Junior Operation Expert Assistants, one Senior Procurement and Contracting Assistant (HR), and temporary drivers who are employed for less than 3 weeks.

Location: Budapest, Hungary (except drivers and assistants for Long Term Observers)

Remuneration is commensurate with the qualifications of the incumbent and requirements of the post, and is similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System for general services employees (in accordance with established OSCE rates). Social security will include participation in the OSCE life and accident disability insurance scheme.

Application procedure: Candidates must be citizens of Hungary, or residents of Hungary with a permit for work. Those interested in applying should send the most recent curriculum vitae in English to ensure an equal and transparent treatment during the recruitment/appointment process to: hr-hungary@odihr.pl indicating the position for which you are applying (e.g. ELE/HUN Senior Election Analyst Assistant).

Each candidate may apply for up to three positions in separate e-mails. Please do not attach photographs, motivation letters and certificates. Additional relevant information should be submitted only upon request. CV should be sent in Word or PDF format and named by applicant’s name. Driver’s CV should include vehicle brand, type and year of production. By submitting the curriculum vitae the applicants confirm correctness of information.

Applications received after the deadline or with no indication of the position for which the candidate is applying, will not be taken into consideration.

Application deadline for advance team positions: 25 February 2026 10:00 CET 

Application deadline for administrative positions: 15 February 2026 10:00 CET 

Application deadline for programmatic positions: 27 February 2026, 12:00 CET 

Application deadline for regional positions: 28 February 2026 18:00 CET

ODIHR reserves the right to cancel deployment at any moment.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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.

Note: No application fees are required by ODIHR for its recruitment process at any stage (application processing, interview meeting, training or any other fees).