Chief Coordinator, Investigation and Identification Team (D-2)

About Us

The IIT is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of staff, which includes experienced investigators, analysts and a legal adviser who are led by a Chief Coordinator. The team conducts its activities in an impartial and objective manner. The IIT is part of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and functions under the authority of the OPCW Director-General.

General Information

• 
  Contract Type
  Fixed-term Director


• 
  Grade
  D2


• 
  Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  14.9623


• 
  Closing Date
  04/04/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Director-General established the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) pursuant to the Decision by the Conference of the States Parties entitled “Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use” (C-SS-4/DEC.3, dated 27 June 2018). The mandate of the IIT is to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic by identifying and reporting on all information potentially relevant to the origin of those chemical weapons in those instances in which the OPCW’s Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) determines or has determined that use or likely use occurred, and cases for which the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism has not issued a report. The team conducts its activities in an impartial and objective manner, in line with the methodologies and best practices of international investigative bodies and commissions of inquiry.

The Chief Coordinator of the IIT oversees a multi-disciplinary team of staff and works under the direct supervision of the Director-General.  The Chief Coordinator is responsible for making recommendations to the Director-General regarding the incidents of chemical weapons use that warrant investigation by the IIT, oversees all investigations conducted and the preparation of reports. The Chief Coordinator manages effective and efficient working practices within the team and liaises with all relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding the work of the IIT.

Main Responsibilities

• Makes recommendations to the Director-General regarding incidents of chemical weapons use that warrant investigation by the IIT and oversees all investigations conducted and other activities undertaken by the IIT;


• Ensures all activities are conducted in accordance with international standards and best practices;


• Oversees the preparation of reports regarding the findings of investigations and contributes to their presentation as required;


• Liaises as required with other divisions and offices in the Secretariat and ensures that the activities of the IIT are conducted independently, impartially and in compliance with organisational policies and procedures;


• Ensures and oversees the preservation and provision of information to the investigation mechanism established by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 71/248 (2016), as well as to any relevant investigatory entities established under the auspices of the United Nations, and engages with the relevant counterparts as appropriate;


• Oversees the management of the resources of the IIT to ensure the IIT has the capabilities and expertise required to function effectively and implement its mandate;


• Liaises with States Parties, international and regional organisations, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders as required regarding the work of the IIT;


• Builds internal and external networks of expertise which can be leveraged for the benefit of the work of the IIT and wider Secretariat;


• Develops and maintains relationships with partner organisations through, inter alia, formal agreements, memoranda of understanding, and working relationships, which act as a force multiplier to the capabilities and expertise which already reside in the Secretariat;


• As required, contributes to identifying relevant technical expertise and good practices as related to the implementation of paragraph 20 of C-SS-4/DEC.3;


• As required, supports other activities and streams of work that may be conducted by the OPCW;


• Ensures appropriate processes are implemented in relation to knowledge management.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced degree in international law, international criminal law, international relations or related field.

Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the relevant field, including a minimum of 10 years of substantial experience at the international level in the domains of international law, human rights investigations/fact-finding, disarmament or related fields;


• Proven track record working in related fields,;


• Proven experience in establishing and maintaining relationships with Government officials, diplomatic representatives, international organisations, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders;


• Knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent planning, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;


• Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing and interpreting relevant matters,  formulating options, and proposing and implementing solutions;


• Strong relationship management and diplomatic skills involving internal and external stakeholders at all levels while maintaining operational independence;


• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;


• Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent conflicting activities assuring required results are achieved;


• Proven record of managing teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

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 an envisaged start date of 01 June 2023, subject to the continued availability of funding, 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 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’.