Senior Equipment Technician (GS-5)

Principal Functions

Assume prime responsibility for managing all sampling and sample collection kits for on-site Sampling and Analysis missions:

• Manage inventories and stocks -including chemicals, required for Sample & Analysis related missions and trainings
• Act as the custodian of all equipment and materials assigned to this field
• Stock and store equipment and materials in their designated storage locations according to relevant procedures, manage the types, expiry dates and the technical or usability status in strict compliance with OPCW health and safety regulations; Maintain the traceability and quality assurance system for assigned equipment, by ensuring that the status of items are known at all times
• Initiate timely procurement of all required items, materials and consumables, record and label received or new items in the asset management database
• Ensure that all items are in good condition and meet the cleanliness and packing requirements for missions
• Maintain readiness of all kits
• Upon return from missions, replenish, maintain, clean and re-stock all items, manage expiry dates and life cycle of all assets and consumables
• Ensure that all relevant documentation of all equipment is up to date and ready for deployment
• Liaise with INS Analytical Chemists and Laboratory staff to ensure that all kits are up to date and all mission requirements are supported
• Manage and update relevant documentation, equipment certification, keep all relevant records up to date in the asset management system
• Collect lessons learned related to S&A equipment, participate in relevant meetings and development projects
• Liaise with the Technical Support Officer and provide relevant inputs to the annual maintenance and procurement plans
• Attend sufficient training during the year as and when available to do so. 
• Provide inspectors, visitors and trainees advice on the technical aspects of the use of the equipment, as required
• Provide inputs to relevant work processes, SOPs and other documentation and training materials

Conduct basic maintenance of all analytical equipment:

• Ensure that all equipment is maintained as per the manufacture instructions and relevant SOPs and WIs
• Conduct in-house repairs of malfunctioning equipment where possible, initiate timely maintenance and repair with external service providers
• Conduct functionality checks of the equipment prior to and after each use to ensure its constant readiness for issue to the users and safe use
• Control maintenance database of analytical equipment
• Arrange the required servicing and calibration of equipment throughout the year with the service providers
• Ensure that at all times that the relevant calibration certificates are up to date and enclosed inside the kits with the corresponding equipment
• Provide the Principal Equipment Specialist (DTL) with the calibration and maintenance certificates.

Storage and preparation of hazardous items and chemicals:

• Ensure that all hazardous items are in the appropriate storage areas, stored in a safe and secure manner and according to all relevant H&S standards
• Keep an up-to-date list of all chemicals stored in the Equipment Store, ensure traceability of items at all times
• Maintain and update Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) database of all chemicals stored in the Equipment Store
• Check the hazard labels of all chemical items held in the store to ensure that no items are improperly labelled
• Prepare, issue and pack chemicals and hazardous items and the required documentation for transportation
• Provide advice on transportation /DG handling issues as required
• Attend required training and maintain relevant DG certifications

Mission support process:

• Prepare equipment and its documentation based on the relevant Equipment List received for handover to designated users (Team Logistics Officer, Team Communications Officer, Team Administrative Officer, and Team Medical Officer), for missions assigned by the ES TL. This includes selecting, checking and recording the required equipment in the asset management database and the preparation of the inspection documentation, including, if required, Dangerous Goods specifications / relevant Customs forms and declarations
• Assist and guide teams / inspectors conducting the checks and final handover of equipment and mission documentation, provide technical advise whenever required
• Ensure that all documentation is accurate duly signed by the receiving staff
• If assigned provide assistance with the Dutch Customs office for import/export clearance of goods and equipment
• Pack and prepare equipment and materials for shipment as cargo in accordance with relevant regulations on transporting goods by air and road, including handling and declaration of Dangerous Goods
• On the completion of a mission, check returning equipment and materials against the relevant records held by the Equipment Store. This includes accounting for the property, receiving and recording the equipment in the asset management system and performing functionality checks, as needed
• Report and document any discrepancies or malfunctions related to mission equipment, collect lessons learned data if applicable
• Inform other Equipment Specialists about the return of equipment for their respective area and initiate equipment checks, cleaning and storage in the designated locations.

Performing other duties relevant to the post (as assigned by the supervisor):

• Maintain good housekeeping and safe work environment throughout the Equipment Store
• Provide assistance and guidance to other Equipment Technicians whenever so required
• Receipt of goods delivered to the Equipment Store by signing the Delivery Note, write the delivery in the Delivery book and inform relevant team members accordingly
• Carryout out on call duties to support any aspect of the functioning of the Equipment Store, particularly in the case of a Challenge Inspection (CI) or Investigation of Alleged Use (IAU) of Chemical Weapons
• Should it be required, as Inspector Assistant or Logistic Officer deploy and provide support to missions or trainings conducted by the OPCW
• In case of temporary absence of other Equipment Store staff, manage secondarily assigned equipment and materials, whenever so requested by the supervisor and as per the principles and responsibilities over the primary equipment
• Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge and Experience

Education

Essential

Desirable: 

• Additional training and experience in the following fields of technology desirable: 
  1. Asset management and inventory management systems
  2. Life cycle management and maintenance systems
  3. Workplace health and safety management 
  4. Material handling (including operating licence for forklifts and palette loaders)
  5. Transportation, packaging and handling of dangerous goods
  6. Sharepoint 
  7. Office 365 

Required Certification (if applicable):  NA

Experience:

Essential:   

• At least four years of relevant professional operational experience (technical or laboratory work)
• Experience working in confidential environments. 
• Experience in supporting deployed teams
• Experience in asset management, stock management and troubleshooting 
• Experience in technical support and maintenance \certification work   
• Experience in dangerous goods packing, handling, and transportation
• Material handling, ground handling and transport preparation awareness

Desirable:   

• Experience in using computerised administration systems 
• Experience in field deployments and working in hostile environments
• Sound work experience with technical equipment
• Experience working with asset management, inventory management and warehousing systems
• Experience in operational environments and field missions, preferably for an international organisation
• High interest and up to date knowledge of new technologies 
• Experience in Chemical Protection\ Personal protection in hazardous environments
• Experience with relevant technical equipment

Skills and Abilities (key competencies):

• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Ability to effectively work in teams, proven interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations at all levels with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Ability to produce reports and background material
• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively
• Analytical and logical problem-solving skills
• High level of creativity and strive for innovation
• Ability to work in a focused and precise manner
• Open minded and willing to take on additional duties in a spirit of continuous learning and development
• Service/client oriented with a high sense of discretion, maturity and tact to deal with highly sensitive matters
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and follow up on the work of the ES.

        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.

          Other Skills:

• Tact, discretion and accuracy
• Effective organisational skills and ability to handle a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner
• Initiative and willingness to learn new skills.
• Flexibility to be able and willing to perform different activities to support operations, often at short notice.