Closing date: Sunday, 30 November 2014

Principal functions

This post presents an opportunity to help shape the future direction and content of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Under the supervision of the Head, Strategy and Policy, in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the incumbent will have a lead in one or more of the following areas:

• Assess and provide advice on strategic topics that relate to the implementation of the CWC.
• Coordinate key organisational reports, including the Annual Report and the report on activities of the Executive Council;
• Coordinate preparation of the Medium-Term Plan and facilitate the associated analysis, provide advice to the Director-General on issues related to the implementation of the core objectives, and champion effective results-based management
• Contribute, as appropriate, to the preparations of conferences and meeting, coordinate the Secretariat's follow-up, and provide advice on related issues to the Director-General
• Lead or contribute to activities in support of the science-policy agenda of the OPCW
• Facilitate enhanced engagement with relevant external stakeholders, including the chemical industry
• Review aspects of capacity building activities across the Secretariat from a long-term planning perspective and make recommendations to support full and effective implementation
• Review aspects of the verification regime (including both the chemical weapons and the industry dimensions) from a long-term planning perspective and make recommendations to support full and effective implementation
• Support the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism
• Develop conceptual arrangements for chemical safety and chemical security in support of the implementation of relevant decisions of the Policy-Making Organs.
• Perform other duties as required, including but not limited to:
• Coordinate the substantive content of the OPCW's journal 'OPCW Today';
• Coordinate key organisational report, including the Annual Report and the report on activities of the Executive Council.

Note

• Any one staff member might be asked to lead on or contribute to any of the topics listed above, but no staff member will be expected to work on all the topics listed above;
• Depending on the experience and skills of each individual in the branch, lead responsibilities may be re-allocated in-year.
• All work requires close cooperation with all other divisions and most branches of the Technical Secretariat.

Knowledge and skills

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field, e.g.: natural science or engineering, international relations/studies, disarmament/military, law, public policy or management, business administration, Other subjects may be accepted provided the majority of work experience is highly relevant to the post;
• Expert knowledge of policy or strategy analysis/review – primarily related to international treaty obligations is essential;
• Knowledge of chemical disarmament and/or the modern chemical industry is desirable;
• Excellent strategic thinking skills;
• Excellent analytical skills (e.g. quickly identifying the essence of a complex issue) and ability to initiate and implement necessary action that is proportionate to the issue at hand;
• Innovative and creative, but with the ability to generate ideas that can be grounded in reality and implemented in practice;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – both oral and written – and excellent stakeholder management skills, including strong ability to deliver results through others;
• Strong sense of initiative, including ability to plan, conduct and report on projects independently;
• Flexibility (working simultaneously on two or more topics and supporting colleagues in a matrix-style team) and ability to work under pressure.

Experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience in a relevant field (a first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree). The lack of a degree may be off-set with relevant specialised training in combination with a minimum of 13 years of qualifying experience;
• Experience in developing policy guidelines and effectively communicating such guidelines to those who will implement them;
• Experience in overseeing policies being implemented by others (sometimes more senior staff members) and effectively coaching/supporting such ‘implementers';
• Some direct involvement in negotiations – either multilateral or bilateral, or both.
• Strategy or policy development experience in international organisations, government, or not-for-profit sector is desirable.

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.

Apply here: https://apps.opcw.org/PHFOnline/viewVacancyProf.aspx?Qry=rxzh0SaxgqrgwbSwZvmulA==