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 International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) Division manages the OPCW international cooperation and assistance activities. The Division serves as the platform to provide capacity-building support aimed to assist States Parties in: facilitating full and effective national implementation of the Convention (Article VII); enhancing assistance and protection against chemical weapons (Article X); and promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry for their economic and technological development (Article XI). ICA also runs the OPCW Africa Programme to ensure that special needs and circumstances of the region are addressed in a coordinated and effective manner.
The Division is managed by a Director and has three Branches: Implementation Support (IPB), Assistance and Protection (APB), and International Cooperation (ICB), each headed by a Head of Branch.
Main Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Director of the International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) Division, the Senior Advisor, ICA Policy and Programmes performs the following duties:
- Advise and assist the Director of the ICA Division, in coordination with the Heads of ICA Branches, in the strategic planning and programmatic delivery of the OPCW ICA Programme and the Division’s interaction with States Parties' Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) National Authorities and Permanent Representations;
- Support the preparation and quality-check of Division inputs to Organisation-wide documents (reports, concept papers, presentations, statements, etc.) and coordinate, as required, on other issues or documents of cross-cutting nature within the international cooperation and assistance portfolio;
- Coordinate, facilitate, and promote the implementation of regional programmes, including the OPCW Programme in Africa and Arab countries, in close collaboration with relevant units of the Technical Secretariat, and externally with the States Parties, and implementing and funding partners;
- Coordinate the design of OPCW technical assistance and capacity building support programmes for States Parties, as requested;
- Support ICA coordination of special capacity building projects including for the Syrian Arab Republic;
- Act as Budget Focal point in the ICA Division (preparation, monitoring, coordination);
- Coordinate Knowledge Management-related work within the ICA Division;
- Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of audits in the ICA Division, performed by internal and external auditors;
- Plan, coordinate, contribute to and participate in external events and meetings relevant to portfolio, as assigned by the Director of the ICA Division;
- Coordinate the planning and implementation of education and outreach initiatives aimed at supporting capacity building as well as knowledge promotion and exchange for the benefit of States Parties in line with the ICA mandate. Coordinate with relevant internal and external stakeholders in this context (e.g. Office of Strategy and Policy, Advisory Board on Education and Outreach, Academia, etc.);
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the ICA Division.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced University degree in a relevant discipline for the implementation of the CWC, such as International Relations, Diplomacy, Economics, Political Science, Law or Public Administration. A First level University degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced University degree.
Desirable:
- Practical knowledge in policy and programme planning and supporting senior management in coordination.
Required Certification:
- Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP, etc.);
- Training certificate in Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of 7 years’ experience in a field related to the implementation of the CWC, other treaty or verification regimes or similar experience in other International Organisations with advanced degree, or 9 years with a First level degree;
- Experience in providing advice and direct assistance to Executive/Senior Management in an international public organisation, including in areas of technical cooperation and capacity building support programmes;
- Experience in designing, implementing and coordinating strategic technical assistance and capacity building support programmes for the benefit of Africa and Arab countries with developing economies or economies in transition;
- Strong coordination and diplomatic background, including negotiation and stakeholder management in the context of multilateral Institutions;
- Knowledge and experience in result-based planning, stakeholder engagement and management, and monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.
Desirable:
- Experience working in International Organisation related to the UN Common System, is an asset.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent planning, organisation and coordination skills;
- Strong analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills;
- Excellent diplomatic skills;
- Excellent interpersonal, drafting, presentation and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to generate and present reliable information clearly and logically both in writing and orally;
- Flexibility and ability to work and deliver under pressure;
- Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural teams and diverse environment;
- Technological awareness and strong computer skills (MS Office package, MS SharePoint).
Languages
Fluency in Arabic, English and French is required. A good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
Additional Information
This fixed-term appointment is for a duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the relevant OPCW Staff Regulations, Interim Staff Rules and other internal legislation as applicable, as well as the decision EC-108/DEC.4 of the Executive Council, whereby former staff members subject to tenure may apply and be considered for the position.
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: ‘