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 Inspectorate Division (INS) implements the Secretariat’s on-site verification activities and maintains the Organisation’s preparedness to conduct the full range of missions under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including routine and non-routine inspections as well as contingency operations and readiness to respond to and investigate allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons.
INS develops and sustains a highly capable, adaptable and multidisciplinary inspectorate able to deliver mandated inspection activities in diverse and complex operational environments. Its work supports the prevention of the re-emergence of chemical weapons, through industry verification, activities relating to chemical weapons destruction facilities, abandoned and old chemical weapons, and other mandates established by the CWC and decisions of the policy-making organs.
The Division also contributes its operational expertise to Secretariat-wide priorities, including organisational preparedness to conduct a Challenge Inspection (CI) and/or Investigation of Alleged Use (IAU), capacity-building, knowledge management, technological innovation and the continuous improvement of the verification regime.
The Director of Inspectorate (DIR/INS) works under the supervision of the Deputy Director-General (DDG) and provides strategic leadership and executive direction for the implementation of the OPCW’s worldwide onsite verification activities.
Responsibilities:
1) Executive Management
- Direct INS through a clear vision, strategic focus areas, priorities and accountability framework, and exercise executive accountability for divisional results, key performance indicators and continuous improvement;
- Lead strategic workforce and capability planning to sustain a diverse, multidisciplinary, adaptable and highly professional inspectorate;
- Oversee comprehensive training and preparedness programmes, including activities delivered through the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology, in coordination with relevant divisions and units;
- Ensure effective stewardship of human, financial, technical, equipment and material resources, aligned with the TS priorities, operational risks and future capability requirements;
- Foster integrity, professionalism, inclusion, collaboration, innovation and accountability throughout the Division;
- Provide high-level expert support to OPCW capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening national protective capabilities, coordinated with relevant Secretariat entities and informed by operational experience;
- Contribute to Secretariat-wide policy, strategic planning, organisational reform and institutional preparedness, and perform other duties assigned by the DG or DDG.
2) Strategic Direction and Verification Delivery
- Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight for worldwide on-site verification in accordance with the CWC and decisions of the policy-making organs;
- Set INS strategy, policies, priorities, performance expectations and quality assurance arrangements, ensuring inspection activities contribute effectively to the prevention of the re-emergence and proliferation of chemical weapons;
- Assure the efficient implementation of the annual industry inspection plan, balancing prioritisation and deployment of resources with the flexibility required for changing operational demands;
- Provide authoritative strategic, operational and policy advice, and brief executive management and relevant governance bodies on inspection performance, significant developments and future requirements;
- Ensure inspection findings, technical assessments and operational experience inform decision-making, policy development and the continuous improvement of verification requirements and methods.
3) Operational Readiness, Safety and Contingency Response
- Maintain organisational readiness to conduct challenge inspections, investigations of alleged use, technical assistance visits, non-routine missions and activities related to assistance against the use of chemical weapons;
- Direct the strategic framework for 24/7 operational support and scalable contingency arrangements, including scenario planning, exercises and response structures for emerging threats and unforeseen events;
- Exercise executive oversight of inspection-team safety, security and well-being, ensuring on-site assessments, risk evaluation and mitigation measures are embedded in mission planning and delivery;
- Promote operational excellence through systematic review of mission performance, procedures, technical capabilities and support systems; ensure lessons learned are converted into action;
- Oversee risk management across the Division.
4) Partnerships, Coordination and Representation
- Build strategic partnerships across the Technical Secretariat (TS) to align verification requirements, inspection planning, technical expertise, safety, training and mission support, in particular with the Verification Division (VER) and the Offices of Special Missions (OSM) and Confidentiality and Security (OCS) as well as with other relevant teams;
- Create cross-divisional collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the design, delivery and evaluation of inspection and verification activities;
- Engage with National Authorities, Permanent Representations, States Parties (SPs) and other relevant stakeholders to anticipate and resolve significant policy or operational issues affecting inspections;
- Lead senior-level consultations with representatives and experts of SPs; authorise inspection-related correspondence and ensure external engagement is consistent with organisational policy and priorities;
- Represent the Secretariat during official visits and meetings.
5) Innovation, Knowledge and Future Verification Capability
- Lead continuous review and strategic development of industry verification requirements, inspection approaches, working methods to maintain effectiveness, efficiency and relevance;
- Sponsor strategic projects to assess and responsibly integrate artificial intelligence, virtual reality, advanced data-management tools, other emerging technologies into inspection planning, delivery, training and knowledge management;
- Ensure innovation is supported by appropriate governance, confidentiality, information-security, ethical, risk and quality-control arrangements;
- Establish systematic arrangements to capture, analyse, apply lessons from inspections, exercises and deployments, strengthening institutional memory and knowledge continuity;
- Promote cross-training, multidisciplinary learning and cross-fertilisation among inspectors, technical specialists and other TS teams to broaden capability, share expertise, leverage experience to support business continuity and long-term institutional capacity;
- Monitor scientific, technological and industrial developments.
6) Perform other duties as required
Education:
Essential:
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Science, Engineering, International Security or Relations or a related field;
- A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the Chemical Industry or related relevant field such as Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN), a substantial part of which should be at the senior level in the private or public sector or in international organisations;
- Demonstrated experience directing complex technical or operational programmes and projects, preferably involving chemicals, verification, inspection, safety, security or emergency preparedness;
- Proven track record of strategic leadership, representation, people management, organisational development and change management. Experience in policy formulation, analysis, programme monitoring and evaluation, good communication and negotiation skills as well as significant experience in managing human and financial resources;
- Knowledge or experience working with the CWC and member states.
Desirable:
- Work experience in the UN Common System or with the national government on inspections is also desirable.
Skills and Competencies
- Strategic leadership and judgement, with the ability to integrate complex organisational, technical, political and operational considerations and deliver results aligned with institutional priorities;
- Excellent planning, coordination, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to formulate options and implement decisions in high-risk or time-sensitive environments;
- Proven ability to lead diverse professional teams, establish effective structures, manage competing priorities and hold others accountable for results;
- Demonstrated leadership in knowledge management, organisational learning, innovation and adaptation to changing conditions;
- Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, representational and communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively in writing and orally;
- Ability to build sustainable partnerships and collaborative arrangements across organisational boundaries and with stakeholders from diverse national and cultural backgrounds;
- Sound understanding of digital technologies and their implications for operational readiness, data management, confidentiality and verification.
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
Please note that all vacancies will close at 22:00 The Netherlands local time on their respective closing day. Thereafter, the vacancy announcements will no longer appear in the Candidate Portal and you will no longer be able to submit your application. We recommend that you apply well in advance of the deadline.
This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of three 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’.
