Merdan Gochkarov

Before joining the OSCE, I was the Project Associate with the UN Migration Agency’s (IOM) Country Office in Turkmenistan responsible for the implementation of numerous projects in three thematic areas: migration & border management, migration & health, and migration & community stabilization/disaster management. Prior to joining IOM, I served as Project Associate with the UNDP Country Office in Turkmenistan where I implemented a joint profject with the  European Union, the United Nations Development Programme in Turkmenistan and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.  Prior to joining UNDP, I worked with the UNICEF Country Office in the capacity of the National Child Protection Consultant, supporting the Child Protection Programming and its implementation through researching. My varied experiences at other International organizations have prepared me well for my job at the OSCE.

While I have a Master’s degree in Development, I have a Bachelor of Arts in the French Language and French Literature. I am also a certified French and English Speaking Tour Guide with strong knowledge of history and archaeology of Central Asian countries. Using a historic perspective and Preventive Diplomacy as well as Benefit –Sharing Concepts, I prepared my master’s thesis on “Water Sharing in the Amu Darya Basin between the riparian States” at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. The thesis attempted to analyse security, socioeconomic and environmental aspects of water management by upstream and downstream countries. When it comes to finding colleagues with diverse interests, backgrounds and experiences, I am certainly the rule and not the exception. This is one of the factors that make the OSCE such an exciting place to work.

In June 2017, I became the National Project Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. In my current position, I have the opportunity to design, develop, implement and monitor the Centre’s largest extra-budgetary project, employing a result-based management approach. I am dedicated to delivering results ensuring that the project benefits are sustainably used by the project beneficiaries beyond the project lifetime.  OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is truly a center of excellence when it comes to effective project management.

I would definitely recommend that applicants look to the OSCE as an employer.  It is an amazing opportunity to work with experts from across the OSCE region, and to be exposed to a wide range of subjects beyond your current field.  Working for the OSCE is as demanding as it is rewarding as the activities being undertaken require in-depth knowledge of multiple subject matters while maintaining and nurturing trust with a wide range of stakeholders. Developing effective partnerships with stakeholders at all levels and from multiple areas is an essential element to successful implementation of the Confidence and Security Building Measures, for which the OSCE is widely known and recognized. It is a life-enriching experience to work with the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. If you are interested in making a difference, I highly recommend you look for opportunities to join us.