FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

ventus is a SaaS system (Software as a Service) that ZIF has been using since 2023. The system serves as a recruitment tool for experts in peacekeeping, humanitarian and election observation missions. Furthermore, ZIF uses ventus to manage applications for the ZIF Expert Pool, the data of the experts and applications for ZIF trainings.

Yes, ventus is the successor system of the ZIFdatabase. Before ventus was introduced, ZIF's needs were evaluated in detail, the system functionalities were adapted, and the data collection was streamlined. ventus offers ZIF and its users a modern recruitment system that is adapted to the special requirements of ZIF's diverse fields of activity.

The two systems have different functions. ventus is the recruitment tool for the ZIF Expert Pool, for specific positions in field missions and other institutions, as well as for ZIF trainings. Rexx HR, on the other hand, is ZIF's personnel administration software, which ZIF, as the employer, uses to administer personnel processes and data of seconded employees and employees in Berlin. An interface between ventus and rexx HR ensures the data transfer between the two systems as soon as an employment contract between ZIF and the applicant has been entered into.

We transferred all experts’ data records relevant for the new tool from the ZIFdatabase and rexx HR to ventus in compliance with data protection regulations. In the process, we did not transfer some outdated data records. In addition, new fields were created in ventus, in which you can add your current data. Notes within the respective headings provide you with important information on how to proceed.

Please note at this point that we have regrouped some languages and countries in ventus and focused more on mission-relevant information. For example, "Latin" and "Ancient Greek" have been removed as languages.

We decided to reorganize the language levels in ventus. Previously, we had a combined category for C1-C2 and an additional category "Mother tongue". In line with the language levels of the Common European Framework of Reference, we now use both the C1 and C2 categories. We define C2 as a (near) native language level, which includes both native speakers and people who have acquired the respective language at a near-native level. The category "Mother tongue" is omitted in ventus. When transferring data from the ZIFdatabase, we transferred all information from the combined C1-C2 category to the ventus C1-level category. If you have language skills of a foreign language at C2 level, please change your language level in ventus accordingly and submit proof.

Your ventus profile contains a variety of data. The information in it must cover all areas for which ZIF recruits. At first glance, it is especially important for us to verify that you have completed the following deployment preparation trainings: HEAT course, Pre-Deployment / Induction Training, online safety courses such as the BSAFE course. Other (external) training courses have not been transferred to ventus, however you are welcome to list trainings that are relevant to a deployment with ZIF on your resume.

All courses you have completed with or through ZIF can be found in the "Applications" section, which shows the history of your assignments and trainings with ZIF.

Volunteer work as an election worker is still relevant for the application to the ZIF Expert Pool for Election Observation and is also queried in this context. However, voluntary work no longer appears as a separate category in ventus once you have been accepted into the pool. However, you are welcome to include it in your CV.

Participation in deployment preparation courses was previously recorded in rexx HR for seconded personnel. Since ventus is now used for ZIF training management, deployment preparation courses are therefore also listed exclusively in ventus.

Please focus on the expertise that makes up the largest part of your respective work experience in the digital application folder or online form. In total, you can indicate up to five areas of expertise in the form. Please feel free to use your motivation letter and CV to highlight additional expertise.

In the first step, select "Forgot password" and enter the e-mail address at which you received the e-mail requesting that you log in. This e-mail address is your login (user name). You will then receive an e-mail with a link to create a new password.

If the registration is still unsuccessful, please contact us at support@ventus-zif.org and give them your current e-mail address, which should serve as your login (user name) in ventus. Please refrain from re-registering to avoid duplication of your data in the system.

Current job postings and trainings are listed in ventus under the tab "Open jobs and trainings". You can use the various filter options to search specifically for vacancies and trainings. Please note, however, that you can only see jobs in ventus that you can apply for in accordance with your competency area. For example, positions as election observer are only visible to people who belong to the ZIF Expert Pool for Election Observation.

A complete overview of all vacancies for positions and trainings advertised at any given time can be found both on the ZIF website (under Jobs in Operations and in the Training Calendar) and in the ZIF Members Area.

An application is possible via the ZIF website, respectively the ZIF member area, as well as via ventus. We recommend that all members of the ZIF Expert Pool and seconded employees apply via their own ventus profile, as most of your details are already stored there and you can thus avoid duplicate entries. You can apply directly from the "Open positions and trainings" section in ventus.

Interested parties will receive all important information about the application modalities in the respective job advertisement. In many cases, you will be redirected to our online forms in ventus. After registering in ventus or when submitting your first online application, you will be given the opportunity to log in to ventus to edit your profile or applications.

Positions for which our partner organizations recruit through their own recruitment system, such as the OSCE Taleo portal or EU Goalkeeper, will continue to be processed through these programmes. Following a successful application, we will ask you to register in ventus as well.

ZIF periodically recruits for the ZIF Expert Pool for peace operations, for humanitarian operations and for election observation. There are individual calls and application deadlines for this. The announcements opening the ZIF Expert Pool for applications are visible on the ZIF website (under "Jobs in Operations") and also directly in ventus (in the section "Open Positions and Trainings").

New calls for applications to the ZIF Expert Pool are planned for February 2024.

Yes, the data of all persons who have had an employment contract with ZIF since 2017 have been transferred to ventus. You can view and edit your profile and submit applications there.

Jobs for which our partner organizations recruit through their own recruitment system, such as the OSCE Taleo Portal or EU Goalkeeper, will continue to be processed through these programmes. Following a successful application, we will asked you to register in ventus as well.

In principle, we will inform you about the respective application channel in all advertisements for vacancies in assignments and trainings.

The job and training alert in ventus allows you to select whether you want to be informed about specific types of assignments and trainings or about all vacancies in assignments and places in trainings of ZIF.

You can subscribe to the Jobs and Training Alert via ventus. To do so, click on the Job and Training Alert section and select "New". Then give your personal alert a title under "Description" and select what you would like to be kept up to date on. By clicking "Save" you create your job and training alert. By clicking on the "Pencil" icon you can edit your alert.

For technical reasons, it is currently only possible to enter more than one reference or more than three expert reports through a workaround. Our service provider is working on a solution. Until then, please proceed as follows: Create a temporary save of your application. After that, additional information can be entered.

To help you get started, we have put together short instruction videos on some topics. You can find the videos here.

You are also welcome to contact us: support@ventus-zif.org.

Yes! You can find more information about data protection in relation to ventus in our privacy policy. We have deliberately chosen a software provider whose servers are hosted in Germany and for whom data backup and encryption are a top priority.