Vantaggi
1. Interesting work focused on field missions. 2. Reasonably efficient. Less bureaucratic than the UN. 3. Good HR teams to help onboard new staff, assist in disputes, etc. 4. Competitive salary. Most positions are seconded and seconded salaries depend on nationality. Poorer countries usually have no or low salaries, so those staff rely on the BLA from the OSCE Mission (usually competitive with salaries in their countries). Richer countries tend to pay salaries equivalent to the UN, sometimes more. 5. Excellent Van Breda health insurance. Seconded staff must pay their own premiums; however, many seconding countries reimburse their nationals so health insurance is effectively included. 6. "Non career organization." Many on Glassdoor have complained that the OSCE has term limits of 7-10 years. I think it makes the organization LESS bureaucratic with LESS nepotism and LESS lazy "lifers" in positions for too long. One generation ago is was not unusual to spend your entire career at a single company. Nowadays people change jobs more frequently, even change careers. 7-10 years is plenty of time with one organization. I know OSCE seconded staff members who have been promoted within their term limit. If you work hard, learn quickly and make yourself indispensable you can more upwards. 7. Smart, diverse colleagues. I've appreciated almost everyone I worked with at the OSCE. Some are truly exceptional and impressive.
Svantaggi
1. No pension plan as a "non career organization". I urge everyone to start saving early, especially when your employer does not contribute. 2. Some bad apples. I've interacted with a few "HR mistakes", i.e. staff members who should not have been in their position... unqualified for the position, really bad English (lingua franca of the OSCE), or egregious personalities.