Director, Strategy and Policy (D-2)

Principal Functions

Under the general direction of the Director-General and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Director, Strategy and Policy performs the following duties;

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinates strategic planning across the Secretariat, provides associated analysis and assists in drafting of strategic documents;
2. Supports preparations of the Programme and Budget, including provision of the Director-General’s strategic guidance to the Secretariat, participates in the budget Steering Committee;
3. Provides support to States Parties and internally coordinates preparations to the Review Conferences of the OPCW, as well as follow-up processes thereto;
4. Provides policy advice to the Director-General and senior management, including on the verification regime, the use and threat of use of chemical weapons, capacity building and international cooperation;
5. Manages and supervises and development of science policy advice for the Director-General, drawing on technical advice from the Scientific Advisory Board;
6. Manages and supervises provision of Secretariat services to the Scientific Advisory Board and its temporary working groups;
7. Manages and supervises provision of Secretariat services to the Advisory Board on Education and Outreach;
8. Ensures internal coordination of the programmatic dimension of the Centre for Chemistry and Technology;
9. Manages and coordinates engagement with relevant external stakeholders, notably with the chemical industry representatives, United Nations Office for Countering Terrorism (UNOCT), 1540 Committee of Experts;
10. Supervises and manages provision of secretariat services to Policy-Making Organs Working Groups and facilitations, including the Open-ended Working Group on Countering Terrorism (OEWG-T), governance facilitations, etc;
11. Supports and provides policy advice on internal governance matters;
12. Undertakes any other assignment and/or duties as instructed by the Director-General.

Knowledge and Experience

         Education

Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in International Relations, Public Science, International Law, Business Administration or related study. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.




Experience

          Essential

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of diplomacy and external relations, substantial part of which should be in the private, public or diplomatic sector or in international organisations.




Desirable

Experience in intergovernmental/multilateral organisations, policy and strategic planning, disarmament affairs would be an asset.

 

Skills and Abilities (key competencies):

1. Extensive knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention;
2. Profound knowledge of international security/multilateral disarmament issues;
3. Effective leadership skills and ability to take responsibility of key organisational issues, including ability to think strategically and achieve results which are aligned with the larger picture of the organisation and its strategic goals;
4. Well-developed diplomatic and policy skills, good judgement, and ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally;
5. Excellent analytical skills;
6. Emotional intelligence, ability to work well in a fast-paced, iterative environment, open to changes in focus and direction;
7. Ability to quickly establish rapport with different stakeholders and build and refine partnerships with State Party delegates and colleagues within the Secretariat;
8. Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment with people of different cultural and national backgrounds, including ability to effectively supervise, mentor, train, develop and evaluate staff;
9. Excellent planning, organisation, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
10. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;
11. Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple conflicting activities assuring required results are achieved;



Language Requirements

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.