Forensic Advisor (SSA Consultant)

About Us

The Office of Strategy and Policy develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology.

In addition, the Office supports the organisational governance of the Secretariat in areas such as knowledge management, results-based management, or risk management.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Special Service agreement (SSA) Individual Contractor
• Grade
  SSA
• Estimated monthly salary: Euro 7.897
• Closing Date
  08/09/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Office of Strategy and Policy is searching for an SSA Consultant with broad experience in forensic science, forensic examinations, and international law. The Consultant will work cross-divisionally to provide advice to the Director-General and senior management in different forensics-related areas. 

The Forensic Advisor will report to the Science Policy Adviser in the Office of Strategy and Policy.

Main Responsibilities

The forensics expert will report to the Science Policy Adviser in OSP and will work in the following areas and activities:

• Advise the Director-General and senior leadership on forensics-related matters;
• Assist with the integration of forensic R/SOPs into the OPCW workflows;
• Assist with the selection and administration (as appropriate) of forensics-specific trainings that are needed for Secretariat staff;
• Ensure that the technical findings of an investigation undergo an objective review consistent with forensic best practice to provide the Director-General with an additional level of quality assurance;
• Identify and liaise with forensic laboratories to build an informal network of providers for forensic services;
• Establish working relationships in advance with forensic science organisations, laboratories, and experts to ensure that the Secretariat has a network that can provide advice and analytical services on short notice;
• Further strengthen engagement with scientific advisory mechanisms of other International Organisations that consider forensic issues.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

Advanced degree (master’s, doctorate or equivalent) in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field.  

Desirable:

Additional certifications in forensic investigations, digital forensics, forensic chemistry, crime analysis and other relevant disciplines from recognised institutions (including, but not limited to, military, police, judicial/prosecutorial, federal/national intelligence agencies) would be highly desirable.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 7 years’ post-degree experience.

Desirable:

• Experience in implementing, or analysing the implementation of, science-based international instruments.
• Experience in communicating technical topics to a range of audiences, cultures, and education levels.
• Active participant in networks of scientific societies and organisations.
• A track record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific and/or patent literature. Interdisciplinary technical publications are an asset.
• Doctoral degree.

Skills and Competencies

Substantive knowledge and understanding:

• A strong understanding of forensic, scientific and technological principles and approaches across STEM disciplines and application sectors.

Working with others:

• Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to deliver high-quality results under pressure.
• Thorough understanding of the complexities of working in an international environment (including the different points of view of a diverse membership).
• Exquisite communication skills – both oral and written – and ability to engage in effective dialogue with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Personal impact:

• Excellent analytical skills (e.g. quickly identifying the essence of a complex issue).
• Innovative, resourceful, and creative, but also having the ability to generate ideas that can be grounded in reality and implemented in practice.
• Strong sense of initiative.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and on-the-job development.
• Comfortable working on open-ended transdisciplinary issues in a complex and dynamic international environment.

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

The contract period is for one year. Initial six months contract with the possibility for extension for another six months.

A monthly fee will be paid. This is not a staff position and all other costs except travel to be borne by the Individual Contractor. (Inc. tax and insurance).

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