Senior Public Affairs Officer (P-4)
The Hague
- Organization: OPCW - Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
- Location: The Hague
- Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Political Affairs
- Closing Date: Closed
About Us
The External Relations Division advises the Director-General on external relations policies, promotes universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and liaises with governments, international organisations, the media, and non-governmental organisations. The division manages relations with OPCW’s Host Country–the Netherlands–and provides support regarding engagement with States Parties, partners, the public, and other identified stakeholders, such as scientists, civil society, academia, and industry.
General Information
- Contract Type
Fixed-term Professional - Grade
P4
Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
USD 8.983- Closing Date
02/12/2021
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Public Affairs team is a busy team who thrive on ensuring the value of the organisation is well understood by a wide range of influential stakeholders. As a Senior Public Affairs Officer, you will use your excellent communication and influencing skills to deliver effective engagement, build strong relationships with political stakeholders and identify new opportunities to expand OPCW's reach externally. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in a political environment, a strong understanding of strategies and methods to influence policy-making and political discourse.
Main Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Public Affairs Branch & OPCW Spokesperson, the post holder will be responsible for the following:
1. Contribute to the development and implementation of the OPCW’s communications strategy with the goal of raising the profile of the OPCW while ensuring accurate, balanced, and objective reporting about the OPCW by crafting strategic messages and media talking points for use by Senior Management or to be incorporated in public diplomacy products;
2. Further develop a crisis communications strategy for the OPCW (develop relevant standard operating procedures and work instructions);
3. Participate in OPCW activities related to the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force;
4. Provide support to the Head of Public Affairs in the planning, development, production and distribution of public diplomacy materials and initiatives that promote an improved and accurate understanding of the OPCW with key stakeholders;
5. Help assess the effectiveness of OPCW public diplomacy initiatives and propose improvements for recurring efforts;
6. Help in the coordination and planning of major outreach activities (in-person and virtual) in terms of developing and coordinating communications plans targeted at key stakeholders with internal and external stakeholders with the assistance of the Public Affairs Officer;
7. Monitor and analyse current events, public opinion and the press to identify issues and trends and contribute advice for consideration by Senior Management on appropriate action/responses;
8. Work with the Public Information Officer to analyse media requests and propose responses for Head, Public Affairs and Senior Management review and approval; Provide assistance in organising media briefings and press conferences;
9. Work with the Public Information Officer and the Director of the External Relations Division (ERD) to facilitate the process for NGO participation in major meetings of the OPCW (e.g., Conference of the States Parties, Review Conferences, commemorative events, etc.); provide oversight for funds related to NGO participation in OPCW activities;
10. Assist the Head of Public Affairs with the day-to-day management of branch operations;
11. Provide training to improve OPCW staff awareness of the media landscape, OPCW rules and regulations, and strategies for dealing with the media;
12. Coordinate Branch submissions for periodic, annual reporting on activities as well as budget preparation.
To view the complete job description, please click here.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
You should have an advanced university degree in international relations, political or social science, journalism, communications, media, or other related field;
-A first level university degree plus nine years’ experience in a related field;
-In the absence of a university degree, a combination of a diploma of higher education in a relevant field, relevant specialist training, and 13 years’ experience in a related field may be accepted as meeting this requirement.
Knowledge and Experience
Make sure you have at least seven years of experience in communications, journalism, or international affairs related fields. At least nine years’ experience is required with a first level university degree; At least 13 years’ relevant professional experience is required with a diploma of higher education.
• A minimum of seven years of practical working experience in communications, journalism, the public affairs or press office of an international organisation; experience providing support to a government, international institution, or corporate spokesperson.
Desirable
• Experience with corporate social media and other community-building communication tools.
• Experience as a government, international institution, or corporate spokesperson and experience with diplomatic processes.
Skills and Competencies
To succeed in this role you will need the following skills and competencies:
- Good knowledge of international security, weapons of mass destruction disarmament and non-proliferation issues;
- Excellent communication skills and ability to draft and edit media talking points, speeches, presentations and public diplomacy materials;
- Demonstrable experience in organising and managing media relations including press conferences and media briefings;
- Excellent and proven planning, management, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
- Strong analytical and conceptual skills in identifying, analysing, and interpreting communication issues;
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills;
- Ability to develop new policies in the area of communications management and public diplomacy;
- Excellent inter-personal and communication skills to present information tactfully, clearly and logically, both in writing and verbally;
- Solid information technology skills including proficiency in MS Office, desktop and other media packages; Up-to-date knowledge of Internet-based social media tools;
- Ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve goals;
- Demonstrated management ability to coordinate the work of others to meet tight deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent activities;
- Proven ability in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with people of different backgrounds;
- An excellent command of English is essential.
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.
Additional Information
This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.
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 mandatory age of separation at the OPCW is 65 years.
Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW provident fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW to ensure separating staff have the capital necessary to move on to new challenges.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not 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.
Only applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.
OPCW General Terms and Conditions
Important notice for applicants who are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system
Although headquartered in the Netherlands, the OPCW is not a regular Dutch employer but a public international organisation with its own special status. Please be advised that if you are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system, you will be excluded from this system as a staff member of the OPCW. You will consequently be insured under the organisation’s system. The above also applies to your dependents unless they are employed by a regular Dutch employer, they are self-employed in the Netherlands, or are receiving Dutch social security payments.
Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for more information about the possible consequences for you and your dependents, such as exclusion from ‘AWBZ’ and ‘Zorgverzekeringswet’ coverage: ‘Werken bij een internationale organisatie’.
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