Head, Operations Security Section (P-4)

About Us

The Office of Confidentiality and Security, is located within the Office of the Director-General.

The Operations Security Section is responsible for the provision of safe workplaces and the protection of OPCW assets.

The Confidentiality and Information Security Section is responsible for the protection of information and communications systems, and assists States Parties and the Secretariat with the implementation of the confidentiality regime.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P4
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  10,052
• Closing Date
  21/11/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The OCS sets the framework, provides the guidelines, institutes the measures and implements the provisions necessary to guarantee and enforce the fulfilment of the stringent OPCW confidentiality regime; operational security of the Secretariat’s assets; the security of all its electronic systems; the confidentiality of all classified material and its safeguarding.  Whilst the security regime for the protection of personnel, property, operations and information are the responsibility and main objectives of the OCS, more widely OCS delivers security management and advise in support of all OPCW missions, investigations and activities.

The Operations Security Section provides security risk assessments of physical threats facing the Organisation, its staff and facilities, and manages the Organisation’s travel security programme. Based on the security risk assessments, the Section co-ordinates, plans and implements effective and efficient security solutions to lower the risks to an acceptable level and to provide the required level of protection.

Main Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Head of the Office of Confidentiality and Security the Head, Operations Security Section is responsible for the following;

• Implements the OPCW Security Policy:  Conducts regular threat and security risk assessments and recommends and implements effective and efficient security measures lower the security risks to the Organisation, its people, information, data and assets to an acceptable level.
• Conducts regular threat and security risks assessments and supports the overall OCS security risk management programme on which prioritisation of security activities and expenditures are based;
• Timely identifies, communicates and documents vulnerabilities to the Organisation’s physical security posture and recommends preventative and mitigating measures accordingly;
• Adopts and maintains the concept of concentric security layers: Deter, Detect, Delay, Deny;
• Initiates and manages projects to maintain and/or improve the physical security of the OPCW premises;
• Manages the procurement, maintenance and upgrade of physical security measures, equipment, infrastructure and  technical security systems;
• Designs, implements and maintains a security zoning concept that determines badge access requirements and manages access implementation;
• Implements the Secretariat’s Fire/First Aid Training programme in conjunction with HSB;
• Regularly reviews and updates the OPCW Security Policy to ensure it remains current, relevant and applicable;
  Advises the Confidentiality and Information Security Section on physical security measures in support of the Confidentiality Regime;
• Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with key stakeholders to ensure the OPCW Security Policy is embedded in and aligned with other Division/Branch policies and processes.

To view the complete job outline please click here.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:  

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Information Systems, Business Administration or Law, with specialisation in security matters.
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• An equivalent or specialised training in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 13 years) may be accepted in lieu of a university degree
  

Desirable: 

• Graduate level university degree and completion of a military/police command and staff college is highly desirable.
  

Desired Certification(s) (if applicable):  

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) – ASIS International, United Nations Security Certification Programme (SCP), Certification in Leadership, Business Continuity Certification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential: 

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible and recent related experience in the security profession, preferably in an international or governmental organisation, with significant experience in leading and supervising security operations and managing all aspects of facility, personnel and travel security programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of (UN) Security Risk Management, UN Security Standards and/or industry standards.
• Personal experience with the implementation of security risk management programmes and technical security systems.
• Experience in the supervision of operations within secure environments and information processing systems.

Desirable: 

• Experience in the implementation and supervision of confidentiality/security policies is highly desirable.  Experience in supervising the conduct of investigations is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

Skills and Abilities (key competencies): 

• Extensive knowledge of (UN) Security risk management particularly relating to Physical/Facility Security and the supervision and implementation of a travel security programme, preferably within an international environment;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, ability to successfully manage and influence up and down, and the ability to draft, edit, and present documents and concepts in the English language;
• Strong conceptualisation, managerial, leadership and negotiation skills, coupled with highly developed levels of tact, diplomacy and good judgement when dealing with a diverse group of staff members in a sensitive working environment are highly desirable;
• The ability to build trust and to have a full understanding of the role of security as a service provider.

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.

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.

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.

Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW Provident Fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW under the provisions for social security. As the OPCW is exploring membership of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), staff participation in the Provident Fund may be replaced by participation in the UNJSPF effective 1 January 2025.

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’.