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 Confidentiality and Security (OCS) sets the framework, provides the guidelines, institutes the measures and implements the provisions necessary to guarantee and enforce the fulfilment of the stringent OPCW confidentiality regime; operational security of the Secretariat's assets; the security of all its electronic systems; the confidentiality of all classified material and its safeguarding. Whilst the security regime for the protection of personnel, property, operations and information are the responsibility and main objectives of the OCS, more widely OCS delivers security management in support of all OPCW missions and activities.
The post is located in the Operations Security Branch which is within the Office of Confidentiality and Security of the Office of the Director-General. The Operations Security Branch provides security risk assessments of physical threats facing the Organisation, its staff and facilities, and manages the Organisation’s travel security programme. Based on the security risk assessments, the Section co-ordinates, plans and implements effective and efficient security solutions to lower the risks to an acceptable level and to provide the required level of protection.
Main Responsibilities
The incumbent will report to the Head, Operations Security. Within delegated authority, the Security Coordination Officer (SCO) will be responsible for the following duties:
- Advises the Head of Operations Security with respect to all safety and security related matters and develops procedures in accordance with the provisions of the OPCW and/or UN Security Management System for the safe conduct of operations globally;
- Maintains ongoing coordination with the Security and Safety Services of other International Organisations in The Netherlands and elsewhere, Dutch authorities and other relevant stakeholders to keep abreast of relevant security matters in the host state;
- Prepares and/or reviews security related Administrative Directives, Standard Operating Procedures, Work Instructions and Security Management Documents for approval;
- Evaluates potential risks, determines the requirements and recommends suitable countermeasures to manage the risks, in areas relating to the security of personnel, tangible assets and facilities owned, used by or related to the OPCW, and evaluates effectiveness of implemented security measures to counter identified vulnerabilities of, and threats to, security and information systems;
- Assists in the response to crisis events and security incidents;
- Conducts regular Security Risk Assessments of headquarters or field activity, analysis the security situation in locations where OPCW is or intends to operate in order to enable appropriate security procedures in coordination with the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) or other stakeholders;
- Maintains a persistent and ongoing real time monitoring of all staff travel with associated risks;
- Oversees security aspects of OPCW activities in field operations and provides technical oversights, including liaison with field security officers/coordinators as required;
- Prepares security guidelines and conducts briefings on country situations and security preparedness for OPCW staff on missions;
- Accompanies staff members on deployment to the field as part of special activities such as monitoring missions and investigation missions, as required;
- Ensures all staff are aware of their responsibilities and preparations in the case of evacuation and/or relocation;
- Liaises with the UNDSS and field security coordinators of other agencies for the purpose of exchanging information and facilitating greater staff security and safety for OPCW staff;
- Monitors compliance with all relevant OPCW Directives, UNSMS Policies and Guidelines and other applicable procedures and reports non-compliance to the Head, Operations Security;
- Performs any other duties as may be assigned by the Head, Operations Security.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in security management, business administration, political/social science, psychology, criminal justice, law, international relations or a related field is required;
- A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
- A first-level university degree may be substituted with specialised training from a police or military education institution, college or academy obtained over a minimum of a three-year period in combination with 4 years additional relevant experience.
Desirable:
- Relevant UNDSS training in Security Certification Program, as well as other security training including Security Analysis Practices and Procedures, and other relevant certified courses. Formal training in crisis management is considered as an asset.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of five (5) years with advanced university degree (seven (7) years with a first-level university degree or 11 years with specialised training) of progressively responsible experience in security, risk, disaster or emergency management in the public or private service areas, such as national security, military or police, or in a corporate environment is required. Of these, at least 2 years of international experience in security operations and exposure at the field level is required.
Desirable:
- Experience working within the UN Security Management System is desirable;
- Experience in security operations planning and/or security analysis and information management is considered as an asset;
- Experience in crisis management is desirable.
Skills and Competencies
Professionalism:
- Knowledge of all aspects of security management, preferably in a multi-national environment, combined with solid background in security or emergency or disaster operations;
- Ability to communicate complex concepts orally;
- Ability to produce policies, accurate assessments, reports, and other papers on security issues leading to sound, reasoned decisions and act upon those decisions;
- Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others.
Communication:
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
- Listens to others;
- Correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
- Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
Team Work:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
- Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
- Willing to learn from others;
- Places team agenda before personal agenda;
- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
Planning and Organising:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
- Identifies priority activities and assignments;
- Adjusts priorities as required;
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Uses critical thinking when analysing risks.
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.
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’.