About Us
The Information Services Branch provides functional oversight of all OPCW information technology (IT) and telecommunication systems.
The Branch provides cross-divisional platforms and services such as IT infrastructure and business applications; provides reliable and secure technical infrastructure within a context of strict adherence to approved confidentiality and security guidelines and procedures; and identifies opportunities where the use of information technology can improve OPCW business in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
General Information
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The IT Operations, Infrastructure, and Support section ensures the seamless functioning of the organization's technological systems by managing and maintaining IT infrastructure, providing comprehensive support services, and implementing robust security measures. This includes overseeing hardware and software systems, ensuring network reliability, offering end-user support, and developing disaster recovery plans to maintain business continuity. By focusing on these areas, the section plays a crucial role in maintaining the technological backbone of the organization, enabling efficient and secure business operations.
Main Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the ICT Operations Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Responsible for the corporate ICT Operations Officer of the OPCW, including a corporate network, a secure network, and data center technology in several computer rooms. Manage technologies and systems throughout their lifecycle at OPCW.
- Leads the sourcing or development of ICT solutions in area of expertise, including but not limited to: Managed Services, ICT Outsourcing, and/or Unified Communications / Telecommunications and associated technologies. Leads the development of technical specifications for procurement of equipment; evaluates vendor proposals, performs tests and recommends selection of offers as per technical evaluation; Supports the establishment of equipment and service contracts, and serves as the contract focal point on the delivery of services, effectively managing the contract throughout its lifecycle.
- Analyze current state of infrastructure and services and proposes modifications with a view of improved services, decreased complexity / support requirements and/or decreased total cost of ownership.
- Leads the engineering, design, installation, commissioning and decommissioning of ICT infrastructure systems. Leads the introduction of new systems while managing legacy systems throughout their lifecycle.
- Creates and maintain documentation, in particular Standard Operating Procedures, Work Instructions, and documentation describing the functioning of the infrastructure
- Manages ICT Projects as per the Information Services Branch project management standards and Prince2 standards.
- Define and establish processes to regularly produce metrics/KPIs on infrastructure and services under responsibility for management reports.
- Manages staff; act as OiC for the IS Operations Infrastructure and Support Section when required.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced university degree in Computer Sciences, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Networking, Engineering, Mathematics or a field related to Information Technology; a first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Practical knowledge of ICT Infrastructure and Operations, particularly in the areas of managing Microsoft Domain Controllers, Active Directory, virtualization technologies like VMWare and Azure, managing data backup technologies, Managing cloud tenants like Microsoft 365.
- Experience leading projects in the field of ICT Infrastructure and Operations
- Experience in service-centric, ITIL-based ICT operations
Highly Desirable:
- Relevant Microsoft 365 Administrator or Architect certifications, VMWare Certifications, Cisco Certification(s).
- Certifications in Prince2, Certifications in ITIL, Certification in the field of ICT Security such as CISSP are highly desirable.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- At least five years of related experience in the ICT field with an emphasis on ICT Infrastructure in mid to large enterprises (500+ endpoints)
- Experience in administering Microsoft365 services
- Experience in technical aspects of digital transformation and introducing cloud-based technologies and DevOps practices
- Experience working with VMWare and virtualization application/console
- Experience with medium to large tenders in managed services, telecommunications, and outsourcing
- Experience managing contractors from both operational and administrative standpoints
- Experience forecasting expenditures in field of domain
- Experience leading technical teams
Desirable:
- Experience working with highly confidential information systems
- Experience working in Intergovernmental Organizations such as UN and affiliated agencies
Skills and Competencies
- Ability to quickly learn technologies (new and legacy) in order to deliver results
- Ability to hand over operational procedures and coach/empower junior personnel and peers
- Ability to analyse problems and react quickly in problematic situations with minimum supervision
- Excellent planning skills
- Excellent leadership skills
- Excellent vendor management skills
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Other Skills: Knowledge and/or experience of highly secured systems are an advantage.
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.
Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW Provident Fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW under the provisions for social security. As the OPCW is exploring membership of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), staff participation in the Provident Fund may be replaced by participation in the UNJSPF effective 1 January 2025.
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’.