Senior Programme Officer (P-4)

COMPLETE OUTLINE

Reporting to the Head of IPB and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Senior Programme Officer performs the following duties;

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of IPB, the incumbent plans, leads/coordinates and evaluates the delivery of programmes and activities in support of the national implementation of the CWC:

1. As a Programme Officer through:
   
   
   
   1. Liaising with representatives of States Parties and national authorities to identify and evaluate needs and gaps in the national implementation that require assistance;
   2. Coordinating the building and/or strengthening of national capacities as well as the provision of outreach and engagement support, including through;
   3. Developing and conceptualizing approaches and suitable delivery modalities for the provision of assistance to States Parties;
   4. Delivering capacity building support to States Parties through presentations and other interventions;
   5. Reviewing and assessing the impact of training, education and outreach support provided and – as necessary –amending/improving respective material/ content/ delivery;
   6. Coordinate with relevant Divisions and entities of the Technical Secretariat as well as with external partners in a smooth and effective manner to ensure their engagement in planning and delivery of activities; 
   7. Identifying suitable and innovative methodologies/modalities for capacity building support, in particular in relation to eLearning, and coordinating their actual delivery; 
   8. As focal point for a specific geographical region: maintaining a detailed overview of CWC-relevant issue in the region, including specific needs, challenges and cooperation opportunities; coordinating/organizing regional events and activities.

1. As an Expert Advisor to the Head of Branch through:
   
   
   
   1. Advising on: best approaches to assess progress in CWC implementation in OPCW Member States; the provision of targeted, effective and sustainable implementation support; and the development and formulation of new, innovative approaches to strengthening and/or building national capacities;
   2. Evaluating the effectiveness of programmatic concepts and approaches; identifying opportunities to enhance the impact of the Branch’s activities; devising and coordinating relevant courses of action;
   3. Reviewing trends and developments in the operational environment of the CWC, assessing their impact on the implementation of the CWC; proposing and developing programmatic policies and strategies to manage related risks; and
   4. Identifying strategic issues related to national stakeholders, relevant industrial and trade associations, customs authorities and relevant expert/professional associations and proposing adequate and effective responses.

1. As a Supporting Manager through:
   
   
   
   1. Identifying and formulating programmatic priorities, and advising on their integration into programme and budget documents;
   2. Preparing the Branch’s biannual draft programme and budget;
   3. Monitoring and controlling costs and expenditures associated with programme implementation; identifying suitable means/methods to improve internal controls and coordinating their implementation, in particular those related to the use of budget resources and programme delivery; and
   4. Drafting correspondence on behalf of the Head of the Branch, including on high level, sensitive issues; drafting speeches and reports; providing high-level analytical inputs for the Director-General and other senior managers;
   5. And performs other duties as assigned by the Head of IPB and/or the Director.

      Knowledge and Experience

      Education

      Essential

      Advanced university degree in a relevant discipline for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, such as Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Law or Public Administration. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

       

      Experience

      Essential

   6. A minimum of 7 years experience in a field related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, other treaty or verification regimes or similar experience in other international organisations with advanced degree, and 9 years with a first level degree;

      At least 3 years of experience in conceptualising and delivering capacity strengthening support in a multilateral/international context;

   7. At least 3 years of experience in providing technical cooperation/development support to developing countries or economies in transition;
   8. Experience in implementing programme/project management cycles, in an international context, and with exposure to collaboration with or in developing countries or countries in transition;
   9. Experience in identifying and analysing capacity gaps at national and regional level, and in programme/project evaluation and related impact analysis in a multilateral/international context.

       

      Desirable

      1. Experience working in an international organisation;
      2. Experience in developing capacity building approaches, including remote/ virtual means, and in implementing them in a multilateral/international context;
      3. Practical knowledge and experience in results-based management approach.

          

         Skills and Abilities (key competencies):

         1. Demonstrated ability to proactively develop strategies to effectively deliver on an organisation’s mandate;
         2. Demonstrated ability to assess the impact of cooperation and/or capacity building support; ability to apply a system-thinking approach to capacity building;
         3. Excellent planning, organisation and coordination skills;
         4. Excellent diplomatic skills;
         5. Strong analytical, conceptual and problem solving skills;
         6. Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills with demonstrated ability to generate and present reliable information clearly and logically both in writing and orally;
         7. Excellent drafting skills in English is essential;
         8. Fluency in Spanish  is desirable;
         9. Flexibility and ability to work and deliver under pressure;
         10. Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural and diverse environment;
         11. Computer literacy (MS Office package).

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.