Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer (P-4)

Principal Functions

Reporting to the Head, Chemical Demilitarisation Branch and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer performs the following duties:

 

Plan and manage inspection related matters

1. Evaluate declared Old and Abandoned Chemical Weapons sites (OACW sites) with respect to the object and purpose of the Convention for initial on-site inspections/visits and to determine the frequency of further on-site inspections, inspection timing, frequency, number of inspectors, specialities, duration etc.;
2. Draft inspection mandates for inspections at OACW in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and Facility Agreements, if applicable, and the site specific information provided by the State Parties or collected during previous inspections at the site;
3. Provide technical briefings to the inspection teams on all relevant information pertaining to the declared facility to be inspected and guide inspection team leaders with regard to policy requirements and specific verification approach and techniques to be used for the implementation of the inspection mandate;
4. Monitor and support the conduct of inspections by reviewing the daily Situation Reports or via telephone communications with the team; review Preliminary Findings Reports and provide advice to inspection team leaders for the finalisation of the Final Inspection Reports;
5. Debrief the inspection teams based on the review of the Preliminary Findings Report signed by the inspection team leaders and the representatives at the site, the Inspection Mandate and the inspection conduct observed during the course of inspection; and, at the same time, provide advice to the inspection teams for preparing and finalising the Final Inspection Reports;
6. Draft correspondence both to the inspected State Parties (ISP) to present the Final Inspection Report within the timeline specified in the Convention, and to the Director-General to report the conduct of the inspection according to the Mandate, elaborating on the pending issues or uncertainties and providing suggestions to resolve those pending issues or uncertainties.

Follow up verification related issues

1. Study unresolved issues which have arisen from inspections at OACW sites s, and seek possible solutions, which include drafting correspondence to the ISP and/or discussion with ISP representatives;
2. Provide Technical Secretariat’s comments or position in DG’s closure letter addressing those issues raised either by the inspection team or by the ISP;
3. Develop technical assessments, guidelines or Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) in relation to issues related to the inspections at OACW sites;
4. Provide status reports on inspections at OACW sites s for Technical Secretariat’s internal and external reporting purposes.

Inspection Planning and Budget

1. Act as alternate for the development and update of annual inspection plan and short term (three months) inspection plan for CW related facilities; develop and update the medium term (1-3 years) and long term (3-5 years) verification plans;
2. Act as alternate for the update of CDB’s short term, medium term and long term inspection plan;
3. Attend internal planning meetings as and when required.

Maintaining Database

1. Contribute to the design and modification of the structure of the Chemical Demilitarisation databases;
2. Perform the maintenance activities in relation to the databases such as, data collecting and importing etc.;
3. Search and provide information reports when required.  

Other

1. If necessary, provide the necessary technical support and assist the members of the Scientific Advisory Board and cluster groups in the resolution of unresolved issues by rendering the necessary advice in areas of science and technology relevant to the Convention;
2. Participate, as an inspector during inspections or bilateral technical visits;
3. Provide technical support to Executive Council task force discussions in relation to CW and OACW related issues;
4. Represent OPCW at conferences, seminars or workshops;
5. Other duties, as requested..   

Knowledge and Experience

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in science (preferably in chemistry or chemical engineering), a first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Equivalent or specialised training in combination with minimum 13 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.

Experience

Essential 

1. Experience in the field of chemical demilitarisation and/or chemical weapons technology - minimum of 7 years relevant experience in combination with a Master Degree, or 9 years relevant experience with a first level degree, or 13 years with no degree;
2. Proven ammunition and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialist experience;
3. Expert experience working with WW1 chemical ammunitions.

Desirable 

1. Experience working at an international level would be an asset;
2. Working experience with Abandoned chemical weapons by Japan in China;
3. Experience on destruction operations of CW or OACW will be an added value.

Knowledge

Essential 

1. Extensive knowledge in the area of CW destruction and CW munitions design is essential;
2. Knowledge of EOD techniques as well as live agent training are essential.

Desirable 

1. Knowledge on chemical defence is desirable.

Skills and Abilities (key competencies)

1. Solid Analytical and conceptual skills;
2. Conscientiousness and accuracy;
3. Problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems, and quickly make sound decisions;
4. Ability to plan and organise, and to work under pressure and subject to urgent deadlines;
5. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, and the ability to provide clear guidance to others;
6. Tact, discretion and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
7. Computer skills in MS Word, spreadsheet and database processing are essential.

Language Requirements

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.