About Us

The Administration Division (ADM) is responsible for assuring the effective management of the financial and human resources, information technology, procurement, support services and training functions within the Technical Secretariat (TS).

The Human Resources Branch (HRB) is a strategic partner to managers, staff and the Organisation as a whole.

The HRB, through implementation of the OPCW People Strategy, focuses on the “Employee Experience”, an ecosystem integrating three core dimensions: engagement, culture and performance management. Mutually reinforcing factors, cultivating an environment where recognising performance matters, and setting the tone for optimising the organisational culture and enhancing staff engagement.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P5
• Total Salary (including post adjustment)
  11,785
• Closing Date
  18/12/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Head, Human Resources leads the Human Resources Branch (HRB) in the provision of high-quality human resources and workforce management services and support to ensure the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat can fulfil its strategic and operational objectives.

We are looking for a dedicated and committed leader who will bring a strategic HR vision with solid experience in a comparable public international organisation. They will lead the HR Branch in delivering high-quality HR support and services to OPCW Leadership, Managers and the OPCW workforce to enable the overall success of the Organisation.

This Human Resources Branch works cohesively across the functional areas of talent acquisition, talent development, staff administration, HR policy, staff relations & well-being and employee engagement. This work is underpinned by modern, cross-cutting approaches to HR analytics and diversity, equity & inclusion.

Main Responsibilities

In this position as the Head, Human Resources, you will be accountable for leading the HR team and developing a collaborative partnership with managers and other stakeholders by ensuring implementation of HR strategies, policies, procedures, providing advice, direction and guidance on human resources and organisational development matters. You will monitor, evaluate, and support the HR branch’s performance according to the objectives of the Organisation. In this role, you will promote a dynamic high-performance culture based on OPCW values. In addition, you will create and implement initiatives to enhance staff engagement and promote an open and transparent staff-management consultative process.

To view the complete Job Description, please click here.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

You should have an advanced university degree in human resources management, public or business administration, law, social sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree in a related field in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 12 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

You should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in HR management including experience at a senior level in the United Nations common system or a comparable public international organisation. Demonstrated professional competence in organisational development, change management and the ability to lead and manage effectively in a fast-changing environment. Experience in developing, communicating and implementing best-fit HR policies and procedures, in a comparable public international setting is required. Proven experience in the management of staff relations matters, both informal and formal is required. Proven experience in the delivery of cohesive talent management programmes is required.

Desirable:

Knowledge of the conditions of service of the UN Common System / recommendations of the International Civil Service Commission is highly desirable. Experience in working with legislative and oversight bodies of a public international organisation is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role you will need the following skills and competencies:

1. Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including ability to provide significant success in the provision of an operational service targeted at achieving tangible results;
2. Excellent planning, organisational, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills including the ability to handle a multitude of activities whilst ensuring high quality output;
3. Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing and interpreting strategic and operational issues, formulating options, and developing and implementing results focused solutions;
4. Focus on generating ideas and innovation in the context of an international organisation;
5. 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;
6. Strong presentation and facilitation skills, engaging the commitment of others;
7. Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to work effectively across diverse teams;
8. Solid understanding of the modern HR approaches and the ability to apply these in your work;
9. Proven ability to embed an approach of continuous improvement in HR work, including business process review, digitalisation and data-driven solutions that enable the organisation to perform optimally.

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 two 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 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

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’.