The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of the Office of Special Missions (D-2).

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity, and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development.

The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Director
• Grade
  D2
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  14,082
• Closing Date
  25/04/2025

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Hague is the duty station of this post, but the incumbent is expected to spend significant time on the field carrying out Special Mission deployments, starting with the ongoing OPCW Mission in Syria (OMS), as per evolving mission requirements.

The Director of the Office of Special Mission (D/OSM) leads the OPCW’s strategic and operational efforts in complex, high-profile environments. D/OSM will initially act as the Head of OMS, leading multifunctional teams of technical experts and support personnel and managing a wide range of operations, including inspections, technical assessments (e.g., Technical Assistance Visits, declaration assessment, or others), investigations (e.g., Challenge Inspections, Investigations of Alleged Use, or others), and coordinating with international and local partners to ensure the effective implementation of OPCW’s mandate in the Syrian Arab Republic. This role will require advanced leadership skills, diplomacy, and technical expertise in chemical weapons disarmament and non-proliferation as well as prior leadership experience in carrying out activities pertaining to the elimination of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Programme. D/OSM will be in charge of coordinating with other Divisions/Offices of the Technical Secretariat (OSP, VER, INS, ICA and ADM) for relevant knowledge management activities to ensure that special mission related experience, expertise, knowledge, and skills are retained and transferred within the Organisation.

Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the OPCW Director-General, the incumbent provides leadership and senior management oversight for OPCW’s Special Missions in the following areas:

Leadership & Management:

• Lead, manage, and coordinate activities of the OSM, with strategic guidance from the Director-General, ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of specific projects and activities, with an initial focus on OMS.
• Supervise and mentor personnel deployed on OPCW Special Missions, fostering a high level of professionalism, coordination, and morale.
• Act as a senior OPCW representative in the Syrian Arab Republic and other mission locations, engaging with government officials, UN agencies, other international organisations, and non-governmental actors.
• Coordinate with other Divisions/Officer of the Technical Secretariat (OSP, VER, INS, ICA and ADM) for relevant knowledge management activities to ensure that special mission related experience, expertise, knowledge, and skills are retained and transferred within the Organisation.
• Co-Chares the activities of the Cross Divisional Accession Working Group (CDAG).
• Monitor individual workloads and personnel rotations with a view to maximising productivity while ensuring staff well-being.
• Provide strong management oversight of financial and other resources, including through budget preparation of OSM, to maximise their efficient and effective employment while ensuring strong controls to prevent fraud, waste or abuse. 

Mission Oversight:

• Provide strategic guidance on all operational and logistical aspects related to the activities of the Office of Special Missions, ensuring compliance with OPCW and other applicable standards.

• Oversee elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, monitoring and verifying Syria’s compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as the decisions of the OPCW Policy-Making Organs (PMO) and relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

• Oversee the operation and safety of OPCW’s special missions, assess challenges and developments on the ground, ensuring all personnel operate in accordance with security protocols and legal frameworks.

Strategy, Policy and Compliance Monitoring:

• In coordination with other relevant Divisions/Offices of the Secretariat, advise the Director-General on all aspects of OPCW Special Missions, providing insight into the challenges, operational needs, and emerging risks, including in the Syrian Arab Republic and other mission locations.
• Develop strategic policy recommendations and operational frameworks for mission success in high-risk environments, particularly in conflict zones.
• Ensure that the OPCW's technical expertise, operational procedures, and mission protocols are adhered to throughout the execution of special missions.
• Coordinate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data and samples related to chemical weapons use, ensuring credibility, transparency, and accuracy in all deliverables.
• Regularly report on the progress of mission objectives, including challenges and recommendations for adjustments.

Stakeholder Coordination:

• Act as point of contact between the OPCW and local government authorities, international stakeholders, the UN, humanitarian organisations, and civil society groups involved in chemical weapons disarmament, documenting incidents involving the use of toxic chemicals as weapons and other related issues.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and secure support for the mission's objectives.
• Participate in international discussions and provide briefings to ensure stakeholders are informed about mission developments and challenges.

Security & Risk Management:

• Oversee development and implementation of a comprehensive risk assessments, security protocols, and crisis management procedures to safeguard OMS personnel, assets, and the integrity of the mission.
• Coordinate with international organisations and local partners to monitor the evolving security environment in mission areas and adjust mission plans accordingly.
• Collaborate closely with Host Country officials and the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) to ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect OPCW personnel, information and equipment.
• Ensure that information collected and processed by the OMS pursuant to its mandate is protected according to applicable OPCW confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in relevant discipline, such as International Relations, Business Administration, Law, Security Policy or a related field.
• A first level university degree in a related field in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 17 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Desirable:

• Studies in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) fields are an asset.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in a leadership role within a complex international or humanitarian mission environment, including at least 10 years of experience in chemical disarmament or related areas.
• Expertise in negotiation and in arms control and non-proliferation frameworks.
• Experience with the Chemical Weapons Convention and its verification regime.
• In-depth knowledge of the Syrian chemical weapons programme.
• Experience with treaty-based monitoring, inspections and verification regimes, field operations or administration.
• Track record of managing high-risk field operations, such as in conflict zones or politically sensitive environments.
• Ability to manage and lead large multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural teams in high-pressure environments.
• Experience in liaising with various and high-level stakeholders, ensuring alignment of objectives and effective communication.
• Experience in navigating complex political and security environments with sensitivity and tact.

Desirable:

• Understanding of international relations and diplomacy.
• Experience in outreaching and negotiating with States not party the terms of accession to CBRN treaties.

Skills and Competencies

Competencies (required knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and behaviours):

• Leadership

• Strategic Planning

• Judgement and Decision Making

• Managing Resources

• Integrity

• Accountability

• Teamwork, Collaboration, and Communication

• Organisational Awareness

• Empowering and Building Trust

• Analytical Thinking

• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

• Political Awareness

• Willingness to travel to mission areas, including conflict zones, and challenging conditions

Languages

Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other OPCW official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable. Strong oral and written communication skills in English is essential.

Additional Information

This fixed-term appointment is for a duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the relevant OPCW Staff Regulations, Interim Staff Rules and other internal legislation as applicable, as well as the decision EC-108/DEC.4 of the Executive Council.

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.

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.

According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

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’.

Key details:
● Position: Director of the Office of Special Missions (D-2)
● Location: The Hague, Netherlands
● Closing Date: 25 May 2025

Vacancy Details

Job Sector : Recruitment and HR
Last Submission Date : Apr 25, 2025 17:00

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of the Office of Special Missions

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