Head of OPCW Laboratory (P-5)

This fixed-term appointment is for a duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules, as applicable. 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 Director-General retains the discretion not to 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.

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Director, Verification and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the post holder has the following responsibilities:A. Overall management of the OPCW Laboratory• Effective implementation of the approved annual programme of work and management of the budget;• Plan and proactively manage Laboratory staff, including contractors, fellows, interns, ensuring all staff within the Laboratory function to their potential and achieve objectives set both individually and for the team as a whole. This will include where appropriate completing all relevant elements of the OPCW performance management process, coaching and developing staff on an ongoing basis and providing opportunities for staff to innovate and develop the service. As necessary manage the attendance of staff to achieve optimal results;• As senior manager at the Rijswijk facility, oversee all aspects of facility management, to include facility repairs, security, and operational issues;• Provide timely proposals for changes in operational procedures that are needed to insure a safe and effective workplace;• Ensure all Laboratory staff are properly trained for their assignments;• Ensures that the quality management objectives of the Laboratory are met, to include ISO17025 & ISO17043.B. Support all issues relating to sampling and both on-site and off-site analysis• Participate in policy discussions and ensure that sound scientific policy is followed in developments in the Secretariat;• Provide advice to the Technical Working Groups of the Scientific Advisory Board and to the Validation Group;• Initiate development and research activities at OPCW Lab as required and coordinate with other members of the Secretariat in order to implement new sampling and analysis tools or techniques;• Support all sampling and analysis missions;• Ensure readiness of the OPCW Laboratory to receive, handle and dispatch authentic samples including the ability to certify the stability and concentration of control samples;• Provide technical support for evaluation of results of analysis by the designated labs of authentic samples.C. Provide scientific and technical leadership and co-ordinate related activities• Ensure that the designated laboratory system meets the needs of the OPCW for timely and accurate analysis of samples taken for off-site analysis;• Coordinate all aspects of the proficiency testing programmes (both environmental and biomedical);• Coordinate the toxin analysis exercises;• Coordinate the capacity building programmes managed by the Laboratory;• Ensure the technical readiness to conduct on-site GC/MS analysis;• Ensure the suitability and maintenance of the OPCW Central Analytical Database (OCAD);• Ensure the technical capabilities, including instrumentation and methods, remain up to date;• Coordinate and lead scientific, research and publishing activities of the laboratory.D. Training programme• Coordinate with the Inspectorate to provide training to Analytical Chemist Inspectors;• Provide training to Secretariat staff as necessary;• Coordinate with the International Cooperation and Assistance division to provide training courses in support of capacity building programmes. Performs other duties, as required.

Education (Qualifications):Essential: MSc in Analytical Chemistry or closely related fieldDesirable: PhD in Analytical Chemistry or closely related fieldSkills and Abilities (key competencies):Scientific: Knowledge of the issues in identification of chemicals using modern analytical techniques with an emphasis on mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. Basic understanding of the role of false positives and misidentifications in analysis preferably with respect to the specific problems of chemicals covered by the Chemical Weapons Convention. Basic understanding of general analytical methods, their limitations and of modern instrumentation needed to apply these methods in field as well as laboratory situations. Basic understanding of sample collection, contamination control and chain of custody. Managerial: Ability to manage teams in working on technical projects, ability to work within a multi-cultural environment, exposure to quality management systems.Other desirable Skills: Specific analytical experience with techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, GC/FTIR, GC/AED, LC/MS/MS, Raman, and/or NMR. Specific experience with chemical synthesis. Specific experience with data analysis including evaluation of data for analytical libraries. Skill in analysis of MS spectra, knowledge of estimation methods for data. A broad understanding of the various analytical techniques (and their limitations) used by laboratories in the analysis of Convention related chemicals. Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Facility management.

Experience: Background in Analytical Chemistry of Chemical WeaponsEssential: At least 10 years of experience after Masters’degree in laboratory work, including preferably 5 years’ experience managing a laboratory and 2 years working with chemistry related to the chemical weapons convention (or a highly related field, such as pesticides). Desirable: At least 3 years working at an OPCW Designated Laboratory or a Laboratory seeking OPCW designation or with an equivalent record of activity. Background in the evaluation of data and the risk of false positive identification in analysis. Experience in the analysis of biomolecules. Experience in quality management systems. Specific knowledge of the analysis of chemical weapons related materials as well as knowledge of the chemistry of scheduled chemicals is highly desirable.

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.

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and provident fund deductions) in US$ and a post adjustment. The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances. The figure quoted on the right, is based on the December 2016 rate of 27.6%.