About Us
The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity, and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development.
The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
General Information
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Office of the Director-General (ODG) is responsible for ensuring the Secretariat fulfils its mandates in a successful and cost-efficient manner. The ODG provides essential leadership and effective governance of the Secretariat.
The Special Advisor to the Director-General reports to the Director-General through Chief of Cabinet and provides timely, substantive analysis and advice to the Director-General on often highly complex, sensitive and confidential matters related to OPCW policies, operations and personnel, with a view to mitigating possible risks and maximising organisational effectiveness.
Main Responsibilities
1) Strategic Advice:
- Provide expert guidance and advice to the Director-General (DG) on critical administrative, legal, procedural and policy matters, including recommendations regarding engagements with States Parties, staff cases (internal appeal bodies and the International Labour Organisation Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) and special projects that have a broad impact on the Organisation and its workforce;
- Provide high-level advice and coordination to the DG on a range of short-, mid-, and long-term issues and activities, including issues related to the activities of the Policy-Making Organs (PMO) of the OPCW;
- Assess complex and sensitive matters in a comprehensive manner, identify potential issues and risks and advise the DG accordingly through solution, recommendations and risk mitigation measures;
- Coordinate with technical and subject-matter experts to advise the DG on chemical weapons, declaration and verification activities under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
2) Executive Support, Coordination and Liaison:
- Prepare, coordinate and present high-level plans and decisions for consideration of the DG, with particular emphasis on reviewing and analysing information from a broad range of sources and facilitating appropriate outcomes;
- Draft and review correspondence with attentiveness to political impact, organisational priorities and confidentiality for consideration by the DG;
- Prepare and review background briefings and files on strategic and complex issues for the DG, reflecting a nuanced presentation of critical matters and providing insightful analysis to inform high-level decision-making;
- Review and make recommendations to the DG on internal memorandums, as well as on drafts or revisions of administrative issuances;
- Ensure effective liaison with the Division and Office Directors, and the Office of the Legal Adviser (LAO) facilitating seamless communication and alignment across senior leadership and key stakeholders.
3) Representation:
- Support the DG’s preparations for representational duties and official visits by coordinating logistical arrangements, reviewing and advising on programmes, itineraries and briefing materials, and carrying out all post‑visit tasks, including drafting official visit reports, organising press releases and preparing follow‑up correspondence, as required;
- Accompany the DG during official visits, as required;
- Cover the functions of the Chief of Cabinet and Deputy Chief of Cabinet in their absence.
4) Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced university degree in a relevant discipline, such as law, political science, international relations or public administration, from an accredited college or university;
- A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (Minimum 12 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in legal affairs, administration, policy development, or senior management support;
- Experience in outreach and negotiation with States Parties in a multilateral context.
Desirable:
- Experience handling UN Common System and ILOAT matters;
- Proven experience in high-level correspondence management, including screening and analysing incoming communications, drafting politically sensitive responses for senior management;
- Experience in liaising with various and high-level stakeholders, ensuring alignment of objectives and smooth communication within the organisation.
Skills and Competencies
- Deep understanding of policy-making processes, particularly in an international or governmental context;
- Expertise in legal and administrative frameworks that govern organisational operations, including drafting and reviewing legal documents and correspondence;
- Ability to advise on legal, procedural and policy issues and develop recommendations;
- Proven ability to assess situations, identify potential issues, and develop solutions in dynamic, high-pressure environments;
- Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with senior management and all departments;
- Ability to handle sensitive information effectively and confidentiality, and to act at all times with integrity, discretion, calm and professionalism.
Languages
Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
Additional Information
This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.
The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years.
The mandatory age of separation at the OPCW is 65 years.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.
Only fully completed applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
OPCW General Terms and Conditions
Important notice for applicants who are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system
Although headquartered in the Netherlands, the OPCW is not a regular Dutch employer but a public international organisation with its own special status. Please be advised that if you are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system, you will be excluded from this system as a staff member of the OPCW. You will consequently be insured under the organisation’s system. The above also applies to your dependents unless they are employed by a regular Dutch employer, they are self-employed in the Netherlands, or are receiving Dutch social security payments.
Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for more information about the possible consequences for you and your dependents, such as exclusion from ‘AWBZ’ and ‘Zorgverzekeringswet’ coverage: ‘Werken bij een internationale organisatie’.
