PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
Under the Supervision of the Director, External Relations, the incumbent is responsible for:
1. To support and advise the Director-General, the Deputy Director-General and other senior OPCW officers through Director, External Relations in their interaction with representatives of States Parties and States not party, international organisations and other stakeholders on political messaging, policy coordination, including with preparation of policy speeches, statements or correspondence for the Senior Management;
2. To promote the universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and to enhance participation in OPCW activities;
3. To maintain strategic issue and country files for identifying major trends in international relations and analyse their impact on disarmament, international security and the Chemical Weapons Convention in particular;
4. To develop and maintain productive relations and cooperation with States Parties, UN, other international organisations and stakeholders;
5. To promote support for the goals of the CWC and bring awareness about the work of the OPCW and its relevance to international security;
6. To follow the positions taken by individual States Parties or group of States Parties on policy matters and be able to provide analysis;
7. To provide protocol services to the OPCW;
8. To maintain directories and contact database of the OPCW and act as the depository of credentials of the Permanent Representatives to the OPCW and Representatives to the Policy Making Organs of the OPCW;
9. To ensure the full implementation of the Headquarters Agreement with the host country and the entitled privileges and immunities granted to the OPCW and its staff members;
10. Coordinate the preparation of briefing material, background information, speaking notes and statements for the Director-General, Deputy Director-General and other senior OPCW officials, including opening statements at the sessions and meetings of the Executive Council, the Conference of the States Parties, and the Review Conference;
11. Develop strategies and projects aimed at promoting universality and awareness of the Convention in collaboration with other parts of the Secretariat, including senior management as well as with interested Member States;
12. Represent OPCW activities as required in meetings of other international organisations, and in other external meetings;
13. Conduct research in areas which are of direct relevance to the Convention and its implementation, including in such areas as arms control theory, developments in other arms control and disarmament treaties/organisations, regional and global security;
14. Ensures smooth functioning of the Branch and guides the work of the branch in accomplishing assigned goals and objectives and their execution for the effective and optimal engagement by the Senior Management with visiting dignitaries;
15. Act as the spokesperson in spokesperson’s absence or as required;
16. As branch head, provides the necessary management of staff within the branch, ensuring that all staff function to their potential and achieve objectives set for both individual staff and the team as a whole.
17. Completion of all necessary elements of the OPCW performance management process to time and the required standards;
18. Coach and develop and motivate staff on an ongoing basis providing feedback and opportunities to develop;
19. To provide opportunities for staff to innovate and develop the service provided by the Finance branch;
20. To manage attendance of staff to achieve optimal results;
21. Perform other duties as required.
RECRUITING PROFILE:
Education (Qualifications):
Essential: An advanced degree in Political Science, International Relations, Business Administration or related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 12 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Experience:
Essential: At least 10 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in government, international organisations or inter-governmental agencies.
Skills and Abilities (key competencies):
1. Strong writing skills;
2. Ability to articulate complex ideas;
3. An in-depth understanding of the challenges, opportunities and limitations of multilateral diplomacy especially in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation;
4. Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including ability to effectively supervise, mentor, train, develop and evaluate staff;
5. Excellent and proven planning, organisational, coordination, negotiation and problem solving skills;
6. Strong analytical and conceptual skills;
7. Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills;
8. Flexibility and ability to work under pressure;
9. Computer literacy (MS Office software applications);
10. Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.
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)
