Secretary to the Policy-Making Organs (Director) (D-2)

Position Remarks

This fixed-term appointment is for duration of three 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.

Principal Functions

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director-General and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Secretary to the Policy-Making Organs performs the following duties:

Substantive support of sessions of the policy-making organs and their subsidiary bodies:
Plans, co-ordinates and organises sessions of the policy-making organs and their subsidiary bodies, in particular:
Establishes agendas of meetings; prepares or co-ordinates preparation of basic documents of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) or the Executive Council (EC); ensures that all necessary background information or documents are available to delegations; prepares and/or reviews draft decisions of the policy-making organs ensuring their consistency with the Convention and previous decisions of these organs; prepares reports of sessions and meetings and related documents; monitors, identifies, evaluates and reports on all important political events which might evolve into a matter of the CSP or the EC concern; directs all the activities of the Secretariat in relation to the policy-making organs; analyses results of sessions and prepares work-plans for implementation of decisions by the Secretariat; monitors implementation of decisions of the CSP and EC and regularly reports to the Director-General (DG) and Deputy Director-General (DDG); assists and advises the DG and DDG on programme priorities and resources arising from the decisions of the policy-making organs; advises the chairpersons and other officers of the policy-making organs in the performance of their duties and responsibilities; approves speaking notes for the chairpersons; serves as the secretary to the CSP and the EC; acts as a focal point within the Secretariat for information about the work of the policy-making organs and their subsidiary bodies.

Organisational and logistical support to the policy-making organs:
Reviews policies and practices and ensures effective and efficient delivery of administrative and technical services to the main policy-making organs; plans, directs, develops and integrates all support activities related to meetings and other activities of the policy-making organs; supervises the LSB ensuring timely production, clearance and distribution of documents and their availability in all six official languages of the Organisation; responsible for co-ordination and delivery of planning, administration and logistical arrangements for thel CSP and the EC sessions and meetings; co-ordinates with host country counterpart preparations for CSP sessions, as required; prepares and co-ordinates implementation of the plan of activities and calendar of meetings of the policy-making organs; reviews and implements language policy of the Organisation; ensures adequate support to subsidiary bodies of the CSP and the EC by co-ordinating with other divisions in providing support staff and other resources.

Management of the work of the Division:
Prepares the programme and budget of the Division; authorises expenditure; reports on budget execution; ensures preparation and implementation of internal procedures related to the work of the Division; keeps the Secretariat and PMO staff regularly informed about activities of policy-making organs and their decisions; manages personnel, performance, development and training of divisional staff; reviews and approves documents and correspondence prepared by staff.

Other duties:
Represents the Director-General, as required; follows and analyses trends and decisions in international and intergovernmental organisations; maintains contacts with counterparts in other international organisations; participates in Policy and Strategy Management Committee; Information System Management Committee ; Committee on Contracts.

Knowledge and Skills

Education (Qualifications):
Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in International Relations, International Law, Business/Public Administration, International Security or Relations, Management or a related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Skills and Abilities (key competencies):
· Extensive knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW, in-depth knowledge of the Rules of Procedure of the CSP and the EC ;
· Ability to establish and maintain trust-based relations with delegations of the Member States;
· Well-developed diplomatic and policy skills, good judgment, and ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally;
· Excellent and proven planning, organisational and management skills;
· Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing and interpreting operational issues, formulating options, and proposing and implementing solutions;
· Stellar problem-solving skills and ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis;
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in written form and verbally;
· Proven ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve objectives;
· Effective leadership skills and ability to take responsibility of key organisational issues, including ability to think strategically and achieve results which are aligned with the larger picture of the organisation and its strategic goals;
· Demonstrated understanding and exhibited behaviour of Knowledge Management leadership principles;
· The ability to learn quickly and thoroughly while continually recognising and adapting to changing conditions is critical;
· Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent conflicting priorities, ensuring that required results are achieved;
· Proven ability to generate a strategic plan that integrates numerous organisational issues, functions and resources for effective action;
· Ability to create partnerships and collaborative endeavours within the division or between divisions.
Other Skills: Ability to interpret the Rules of Procedure of the CSP and the EC.

Experience

Essential A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in providing leadership, direction and advice in the field of public administration, multilateral diplomacy, or security policy-making, a substantial part of which should be at the senior level in the private or public sector or in international organisations.

Proven track record of excellent leadership, representation and people management skills;

Demonstrated professional competence and success in organisational development and change management.

Policy formulation and analytical skills, project/program monitoring and evaluation, good communication and negotiation skills.

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.

Salary Remarks

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 August 2018 rate of 37.9%.