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
This position is located in the Information Cell of the Operations and Technology Support Branch (OTSB) of the Inspectorate (INS) Division. The OTSB is responsible for conducting initial resource and analysis of activities concerning allegations of chemical weapons use throughout the world and monitors and regularly reports on the evolution of such allegations and any other emerging threats. OTSB is also responsible for monitoring, in collaboration with the Office of Confidentiality and Security (OCS) the security situation in countries where teams are actively, or foreseen to be, deployed and treating such information with sensitivity and confidentiality.
The Senior Information Assistant reports directly to the Information Officer, and as part of the Information Cell, supports the OTSB by conducting initial research and analyzing information and activities concerning the worldwide allegations of chemical weapons use, and the security situation in countries where teams are deployed. The role involves monitoring various sources of information, supporting the development of research plans, conducting credibility assessments, and carrying out structured link analysis as well as producing regular reports on findings. The work may involve repeated exposure to disturbing content, comments and distressing images and therefore the incumbent of this position will be required to participate in regular, mandatory psychological check-ins.
Main Responsibilities
1) Information Gathering
- Gather information and, under guidance and in accordance with established protocols, develop effective research plans to facilitate more informed decision-making regarding the launch and implementation of a contingency operation in response to chemical incidents, specifically including where chemicals may have been used by non-state actors;
- Undertake initial analysis and assessments for requests for information (RFI) addressed to the Situation Centre from amongst others ODG, and other divisions;
- Carry out detailed analysis on the information gathered and present findings to supervisor;
- Support the Information Officer and team in advising management on Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering issues and recommending options to improve open-source information gathering;
- Communicate analysis and findings on a regular basis.
2) Information Analysis and Database Management
- Compile and consolidate on an ongoing basis information on allegations of chemical weapons use and emerging threats, applying information analysis and verification procedures;
- Collect and prepare for dissemination information relevant to country specific briefings to Chemical Weapons Inspection teams;
- Assists with managing information research subscriptions and online databases;
- Collect and structure information relevant to country specific briefings to Industry Inspection teams;
- Identify information relevant to plan and carry out contingency operations;
- Maintain repositories on all relevant information within the context of the Situation Centre adhering to approved file management procedures.
3) Process, Procedures and Tools
- Prepare information briefings concerning allegations of chemical weapon use, emerging threats and the security situation in countries where OPCW inspectors are currently deployed or foreseen to be deployed; liaise with OCS and the Health and Safety Branch (HSB) for relevant inputs;
- Support the review and revision of OTSB Situation Centre and Information Cell analytical products by verifying the accuracy and relevance of information;
- Create Geographic Information System (GIS) maps and other geospatial products to support OPCW operational activities, such as analytical maps and thematic visualisations, in accordance with defined priority information requirements;
- Explore the broader application and accuracy of generative Artificial Information (AI) to inform situational awareness and reporting;
- Keep abreast of developments in the field of OSINT, engage in discussions and exercises to discuss current and future systems development, tool evaluation and procedures.
4) Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- High School Diploma or equivalent Diploma of higher Secondary Education.
Desirable:
- Esri Technical Certification for ArcGIS Pro, minimum level of certification of ArcGIS Pro Associate.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- At least six years of experience related to the duties and requirements of the advertised position;
- Proven experience in conducting open-source research and preparing relevant background material;
- Proven experience working with open-source information tools related to AI and its applications. Proven experience utilising GIS.
Desirable:
- Experience in working closely with senior management and other high level/government officials;
- Experience handling sensitive and potentially distressing material, with demonstrated emotional resilience and the ability to maintain professional objectivity;
- Familiarity with cognitive disassociation mechanisms and strategies to reduce vulnerability factors.
Skills and Competencies
- Proven expertise and knowledge of social media and social networking sites, and Open Source research best practices;
- Strong analytical and research skills, attention to detail as well as proven ability to draft variety of reports, effectively conveying information in a manner that is readily understood by diverse audiences;
- Demonstrated proficiency in using a range of computer applications and software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation tools;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment;
- Excellent organisational skills, proactive mentality, with a strong sense of urgency;
- Ability to work in a focused and precise manner, with a strong sense of accountability and an ability to deliver timely and accurate results on a short timeline;
- Proven interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations at all levels with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
- Open minded and willing to take on additional duties in a spirit of continuous learning and development;
- Appreciation of the need to observe confidentiality in a highly sensitive work area;
- Service and client orientation with a high sense of discretion, maturity and tact to deal with highly sensitive matters;
- Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and follow up on the work of the Branch.
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
Staff members in the General Services category are normally recruited and paid on a local basis.
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. This appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a medical examination, including a psychological assessment. Further extensions of this fixed-term appointment will be subject to periodical medical and psychological examinations.
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.
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’.