About Us

The International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) Division manages the OPCW’s 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.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Director
• Grade
  D2
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  14.992
• Closing Date
  14/10/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

This role is centered around the development of strategies and related implementation plans to increase the Organisation’s state of readiness in both providing support, and expert advice to States Parties in relation to the improvement of their protective capacity, the threat of use, or use of chemical weapons.

As the Director of the International Cooperation and Assistance Division, you will have a highly visible leadership role in the development and implementation of Programmes and projects to promote the peaceful use of chemistry for economic and technological development. Embracing this mindset, you will lead the team to assist States Parties in their efforts toward the full and effective implementation of the Convention.

Main Responsibilities

In your role you will be responsible for:

1. Directs the work of the International Cooperation and Assistance Division within the established policy framework and provides the necessary guidance to ensure that the following are appropriately carried out:

• Development of strategy and related implementation plans to increase the Organisation’s state of readiness in providing support to any requesting State Party in the event of use or threat of use of chemical weapons, in accordance with Article X of the Convention. This might include interalia an assessment of the internal capacity and capability, a resource mobilisation strategy for the Voluntary Fund for Assistance, and coordinating with relevant international organisations.
• Development of relevant programmes and projects to provide expert advice and assist a State Party (upon request) in identifying how their programmes for the development and improvement of a protective capacity against chemical weapons could be implemented, within the framework of Article X of the Convention.
• Development and implementation of Programmes and projects to promote the peaceful use of chemistry for economic and technological development, within the framework of Article XI of the Convention.
• Development and implementation of programmes and projects to assist States Parties and their National Authorities in their effort toward the full and effective implementation of the Convention, in accordance with the provision of Article VII of the Convention. This might include the assessment of problems associated with national implementation and assisting States Parties with the implementation of the various provisions of the Convention.

2. Manages the staff of the International Cooperation and Assistance Division to ensure that the Division is able to complete the planned Programme of Work in an effective, efficient and cohesive manner.

3. Manages the Programme and Budget for the International Cooperation and Assistance Division in line with Results-Based Management and Results-Based Budgeting principle.

4. Provides strategic planning, policy advice and support to Management (Director-General, Deputy Director-General and Division Directors) and staff at large regarding the International Cooperation and Assistance programmes. Participates in meetings of the Management Board and relevant technical committees and contributes to discussion and formulation of recommendations to the Director-General on organisation-wide policy issues.

5. Engages with States Parties on issues of mutual concern and contributes to the work of the Executive Council and informal consultations.

6. Participates in official visits to States Parties and other relevant Organisations.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

You should have an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Science or Social Sciences, International security or Relations, International Law, Business/Public Administration, Management, or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with over 17 years of qualifying experience as stipulated below, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

Make sure you have over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in providing leadership, direction, and advice in the field of international cooperation and assistance, public administration, international relations, or socio-economic development, a substantial part of which should be at the senior level in the private or public sector or in international organisations.

To succeed in this role you will need extensive knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and profound knowledge of international relations, international security/disarmament, international cooperation and assistance issues.

We are looking for a candidate with effective leadership skills who is able to take responsibility for key organisational issues, including the ability to think strategically and achieve results which are aligned with the larger picture of the organisation and its strategic goals and demonstrated understanding and exhibited behaviour of Knowledge Management leadership principles.

You have well-developed diplomatic and policy skills, good judgement, and the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally.

Skills and Competencies

Other skills and competencies (amongst others) we are looking for are:

• Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment with people of different cultural and national backgrounds, including the ability to effectively supervise, mentor, train, develop and evaluate staff.
• Excellent and proven planning, organisation, coordination, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing and interpreting operational issues, formulating options, and proposing and implementing solutions.
• 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.
• Proven ability to coordinate the work of others, meet tight deadlines and handle multi-tasks.
• Proven ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve objectives.
• The ability to learn quickly and thoroughly while continually recognizing and adapting to changing conditions is critical.
• Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent conflicting activities assuring required results are achieved.
• Proven ability to generate a strategic plan that integrates numerous organisational issues, functions, and resources for effective action.
  Creates partnerships and collaborative endeavours within the division or between divisions.

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

This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of three years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.

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.

Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW provident fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW to ensure separating staff have the capital necessary to move on to new challenges.

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.

Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.

OPCW General Terms and Conditions