Director, Strategy and Policy (D-2)

The Office of Strategy and Policy develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology.

In addition, the Office supports the organisational governance of the Secretariat in areas such as knowledge management, results-based management, or risk management.

General Information

• Contract Type: Fixed-term Director
• Grade: D2
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD: 13.517
• Closing Date: 06/07/2022

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The office supports the achievement of all core objectives of the OPCW through reviewing the substantive implementation of the Convention. Working across the Secretariat, the Office of Strategy and Policy takes the lead on strategic planning, coordinates policy development, assesses policy implementation in key substantive areas that cut across two or more of the other programmes, and coordinates strategic reporting to States Parties.

Main Responsibilities

In your role you will be responsible for:

• Support preparations of the Programme and Budget, including provision of the Director-General’s strategic guidance to the Secretariat, participates in the budget Steering Committee;
• Provide 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;
• Manage and supervise provision of Secretariat services to the Scientific Advisory Board and its temporary working groups;
• Manage and coordinate engagement with relevant external stakeholders, notably with the chemical industry representatives, United Nations Office for Countering Terrorism (UNOCT), 1540 Committee of Experts.

To view the complete job outline please click here.

Qualifications 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.

Knowledge and 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 Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention;
• Profound knowledge of international security/multilateral disarmament issues;
• 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;
• Emotional intelligence, ability to work well in a fast-paced, iterative environment, open to changes in focus and direction;
• Ability to quickly establish rapport with different stakeholders and build and refine partnerships with State Party delegates and colleagues within the Secretariat;
• 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;
• Excellent planning, organisation, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
• 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.

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 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.