Independent Mediator (SSA)

About Us

The Administration Division (ADM) is responsible for assuring the effective management of the financial and human resources, information technology, procurement, support services and training functions within the Technical Secretariat (TS).

The Human Resources Branch (HRB) is a strategic partner to managers, staff and the Organisation as a whole.

The HRB, through implementation of the OPCW People Strategy, focuses on the "Employee Experience", an ecosystem integrating three core dimensions: engagement, culture and performance management. Mutually reinforcing factors, cultivating an environment where recognising performance matters, and setting the tone for optimising the organisational culture and enhancing staff engagement.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Special Services Agreement (SSA) Consultant
• Grade
  SSA
• 
  Total Salary (including post adjustment)
  tbc
• Closing Date
  13/12/2022

Responsibilities

Job Summary

In this mediator role, you support the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW's mechanism for independent and impartial mediation of work-related disputes between individual staff members and between a staff member and a manager.

This position is on an as-needed basis as determined by the Head, Human Resources Branch. One or more individuals may be hired for the role.

Main Responsibilities

The mediator facilitates the early resolution of conflict in respect of specific cases related to workplace matters and promotes conflict prevention strategies in the workplace as a whole.

The Mediator:

a) Conducts a pre-assessment of each request for mediation before accepting (or rejecting) it;

b) Must have the option to be available in person in The Hague, if needed when conducting mediation for a case;

c) Conducts mediation in confidence with the parties that have requested mediation;

d) Submits an annual report in collaboration with all meditators to the Director-General, Human Resources Branch, the Staff Council, and the Joint Advisory Board on the activities undertaken by the Mediator, in the form of data and trends (e.g., number and type of cases, and any systemic issues identified) and recommends action to address systematic issues – while maintaining full confidentiality on the substance of the mediation undertaken; and

e) Reports quarterly to the Director of Administration on the costs incurred.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• Certification in meditation or conflict resolution by a recognized international society or institute, or that of a member state. Alternatively, in lieu of certification, relevant experience exhibiting the skills and knowledge required for mediation or conflict resolution may be accepted instead.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least ten years of professional experience, of which at least four years of equivalent experience in mediation, conflict prevention or resolution, and arbitration between individuals.

Desirable:

• Experience in an international organisation, preferably in mediation or aspects of staff relations.

Skills and Competencies

• Promoting de-escalation of conflict and value-oriented solutions;


• Applying active listening and non-positional communication skills;


• Demonstrating impartiality and transparency;


• Applying sound and internationally recognised methodology/methodologies;


• Balancing confidentiality with information sharing in the interests of dispute resolution satisfactory to both parties;


• Coaching parties with respect to procedure, opening statements, exploration and negotiation, closing the proceedings, implementing outcomes, etc.;


• High-precision drafting skills (terms of reference; annual reports and recommendations to executive level managers; norms and reference criteria; fact summaries; offers; agreements, and other mediation-related instruments);


• Drafting of financial (cost) reports on activities.

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 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 fully completed 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’.