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 Internal Oversight (OIO) supports the Director-General and the Policy-Making Organs in strengthening the management of OPCW resources and programmes through assurance, fact-finding and advisory services. The OIO supports the OPCW in achieving its strategic objectives by providing the Director-General with independent, risk-informed assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of overall performance, governance, risk management and internal control processes, while also fostering continuous improvement through advisory services. The OIO also assists the Secretariat in developing and maintaining the Quality Management System.
The Director, Office of Internal Oversight (OIO), under the overall supervision of the Director-General, provides strategic leadership and independent oversight to enhance accountability, compliance, transparency, integrity and governance across the Organisation. The incumbent leads and advises on activities designed to add value and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes, while supporting the confidence of Member States and oversight bodies.
Responsibilities:
1) Strategic Leadership and Direction:
- Provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s internal oversight function, ensuring robust systems to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct;
- Champion governance, risk management and internal control frameworks with the Director-General and senior leadership;
- Lead the management and performance of the Office, including staff, programme delivery and budget execution, ensuring results-based implementation aligned with organisational priorities;
- Advise in the maintenance and enhancement of a rigorous Quality Management System (QMS) and the OPCW Quality Assurance/Quality Control programme for the performance of on-site analysis, the OPCW Laboratory and other designated laboratories;
- Inform senior leadership on emerging fraud risks, control weaknesses and preventive measures to safeguard organisational resources and reputation;
- Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency through outreach, training, and prevention initiatives.
2) Internal Audit, Assurance and Investigation:
- Develop and implement annual and medium-term work plans covering investigations, internal audits, risk assessments and evaluations and communicate these plans with the relevant stakeholders in a timely manner;
- Oversee and continuously strengthen the monitoring mechanisms for internal audit recommendations, promoting timely implementation, quality assurance and transparent reporting;
- Ensure the implementation of the auditing standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors and review and validate internal audit reports that meet quality standards in terms of accuracy, objectivity, logic and timing;
- Guide the development and issuance of oversight reports, ensuring that relevant OPCW procedures and policies are followed, findings are evidence-based and recommendations are clear and actionable;
- Maintain appropriate resources to conduct internal investigations, including forensic and analytic audit capabilities that leverage technology to optimise oversight effectiveness;
- Maintain the accredited QMS for the ChemTech Centre and for OIO and other applicable certifications required to operate in the Netherlands.
3) Reporting and Engagement:
- Ensure adherence to the International Standards published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), ISO accreditation, United Nations Evaluation Group norms and standards, Institute of Internal Auditors and other generally accepted standards and practices in the fields of quality assurance, investigations and auditing;
- Report independently and regularly to the Executive Council, the Conference of the States Parties and/or any designated oversight committees on findings, trends and systemic issues;
- Prepare annual and special reports highlighting risks, lessons learned and recommendations for strengthening accountability, compliance, performance and risk mitigation;
- Report semi-annually to the Director-General on the implementation status of internal audit recommendations;
- Ensure cooperation and coordination with the external auditors;
- Represent the OIO at international meetings, including with the UN and international networks of internal audit services and evaluations, investigations and quality assurance to keep abreast of latest best practices and to exchange information;
- Serve in an advisory capacity on various management committees with a view to strengthening risk-informed decision-making and operational resilience;
- Ensure alignment with international standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements in internal oversight and anti-fraud efforts.
4) Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced University degree in accounting, auditing, public administration, international relations, or a related field, 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:
- A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in investigations, internal audit, quality management, or accountability functions, a substantial part of which should be in a senior management position, preferably in an international and multicultural context;
- Demonstrated experience reporting to governing bodies or Member-State-based oversight mechanisms;
- Qualifications (ACA/ACCA/CIPFA/CMIIA/CIA) or demonstratable equivalency in experience.
Desirable:
- Work experience in the UN Common System would be an asset.
Skills and Competencies
- Strategic leadership and sound judgment at the executive level;
- High standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability;
- Excellent planning, organisational, 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 inter-personal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;
- 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 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’.