About Us
The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity, and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development.
The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
General Information
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Office of the Deputy Director-General (ODDG) is responsible for ensuring the Secretariat fulfils its mandates in a successful and cost-efficient manner. The ODDG provides essential leadership and effective governance of the Secretariat. The objectives of the Office of the ODDG are to support the Director-General in the overall leadership, strategic direction and management of the Organisation.
Under the direction of the Director-General, the Deputy Director-General is responsible for advancing OPCW’s strategic objectives in implementing the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The DDG provides leadership and advise on complex and politically sensitive matters, vision and line management to seven divisions, offices and branches of the Secretariat: Administration, External Relations, Verification, Inspectorate, International Cooperation and Assistance, and the Secretariat for the Policy Making Organs, as well as the Health and Safety Branch; chairing several internal boards and committees; representing the Organisation externally and championing its work as well as enabling strategic, comprehensive decision-making.
Responsibilities:
1) Strategic Leadership and Governance:
- Advise and support to the Director-General (DG) on advancing OPCW’s strategic direction, priorities, and implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC);
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for OPCW's operations, ensuring the Secretariat fulfils its mandate in an efficient and cost-effective manner, while upholding the highest standards of compliance, ethics, and accountability across all divisions and branches;
- Assess and synthesise complex political, operational, and technical issues and evaluate implications to provide the DG with strategic, actionable options and recommendations;
- Advise and support the DG in the management of programmes and operations of the Organisation, including the Executive Council and the Conference of the States Parties, through the coordination of Secretariat inputs, reporting, and decisions;
- Evaluate and validate the creation and revision of administrative procedures, policies, rules, and directives, providing recommendations and clearance prior to submission to the DG for final approval;
- Lead a culture of ethical behaviour, integrity, and accountability at all levels of the organisation.
2) Executive Management and Operational Oversight:
- Oversee the management and coordination of the Organisation’s internal structures and programmes, ensuring regular monitoring and alignment with strategic objectives. Assess and approve divisional plans, budgets, and resource allocations, providing endorsement or advising on amendments prior to submission to the DG when required;
- Guide senior management and staff to ensure effective, efficient and accountable operations, seeking to resolve any outstanding matters at the most appropriate level;
- Safeguard sound financial, administrative and human resources management in line with the applicable legal framework;
- Oversee the identification, consolidation and management of organisational risks, ensuring an action plan is maintained to mitigate such risks;
- Monitor achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and initiate corrective measures to address shortfalls;
- Oversee coordination among divisions on cross-cutting administrative, technical, and operational matters to achieve integrated organisational delivery;
- Support the DG in reviewing reports and other sensitive documentation, ensuring the confidentiality and appropriate handling of information provided by Member States;
- Promote a culture of results-based management, transparency and continuous improvement.
3) Representation and External Relations:
- Represent the DG and the Organisation with Member States and at high-level international, regional and intergovernmental meetings with a view to promoting the work of the Organisation as well as reaching political agreements and cooperation on efforts to strengthen cooperation, promote compliance and advance universal adherence to the CWC;
- Advocate for the Organisation’s mandate and promote visibility; advise the Director-General on Member States’ positions, concerns, and sensitivities, and provide strategic recommendations for engagement and decision making;
- Conduct high-level meetings and briefings during visits, ensuring effective communication of policies, operational updates, and strategic objectives;
- Maintain and strengthen partnerships with Member States, the UN, international organisations, donors and other stakeholders.
4) Chair Internal and External Committees, Boards and Panels:
- Steer the deliberations at administrative and financial committees with a view to achieving the best possible outcome for the Organisation;
- Set committee agendas, facilitate agreement among members, and ensure decisions reflect OPCW strategic priorities;
- Ensure effective leadership and communicate the DG’s views and decisions to Divisions to support the programme’s operation and administration with reference to ensuring a link between strategy and programme delivery.
5) Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced University degree in a relevant discipline including in the area of law, international law, international relations, public/business administration, or management, from an accredited college or university;
- A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (Minimum 17 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- Minimum of 15 years of extensive and relevant professional experience in senior leadership/executive or diplomatic positions, including substantial assignments within a government or multilateral international organization;
- Demonstrated experience in senior management or executive leadership roles;
- Proven experience representing organisations at high-level internal forums and on boards, panels and committees;
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex organisational structures.
Desirable:
- Work experience in the UN Common System would be a strong asset. Knowledge or experience working with the CWC and member states also desirable.
Skills and Competencies
- Strategic leadership and sound judgment at the executive level;
- Excellent diplomatic, negotiation and representation skills and exceptional political acumen;
- Strong management, coordination and organisational skills;
- Culturally sensitive and the ability to lead and operation others in a multi-cultural and politically sensitive environments;
- High standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability;
- Ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve goals; work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
- Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Ability to represent, stands in, chair meetings, and communicates on behalf of the Director-General;
- Ability to handle confidential and highly sensitive organisational matters with tact and diplomacy.
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.
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.
According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
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’.
