Programme Officer (P-3)

About Us

The International Cooperation and Assistance Division serves as international provider and platform for providing specialised and technical assistance in support of States Parties efforts to meet their obligations under the Convention through a portfolio of wide range of programmes and projects. These capacity building programmes are aimed at contributing to build and enhance States Parties capacity to fostering the use of chemistry for peaceful purposes for the economic and technological development of the States Parties; facilitating the national implementation and responding and dealing with threats involving toxic chemicals.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P3
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  8.298
• Closing Date
  04/09/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The International Cooperation Branch develops and runs a portfolio of international cooperation programmes, including capacity building projects aimed at fostering peaceful use of chemistry for the economic and technological development of OPCW States Parties. The programme is based on the provisions of Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

The portfolio of international cooperation programmes under Article XI is classified in three strategic areas: Integrated Chemicals Management, Enhancing Laboratory Capabilities and Chemical Knowledge Promotion and Exchange.

Main Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head, International Cooperation Branch, the incumbent is responsible for the following:

• Plans, coordinates, manages and reports on assigned programmes for capacity-building in cooperation with National Authorities, academic institutions, scientific organisations, analytical laboratories, research institutions, chemical industry, international organisations etc;
• Maintains database of the branch and advises the Head of Branch/Director ICA on new or revised training policies as well as logical framework of the international cooperation programme;
• Assists and undertakes evaluation of activities organized by the Branch; designs evaluation templates/forms to be used by substantive officers of the Branch; prepares annual analytical reports and status implementation reports, including outcomes, key achievements and recommendations;
• Assists in arranging follow-up and post implementation evaluation on the performance of the participants/beneficiaries in liaison with National Authorities and other relevant institutions in the Member States;
• Interacts with various internal and external units/institutions to arrange and coordinate the implementation of programmes and projects;
• Ensures budgetary control and implementation of projects and programmes in a cost-effective manner;
• Makes recommendations on the effectiveness of the programmes and projects and participates in relevant meetings;
• Develops procedures for implementation and follow-up including standard operating procedures as required;
• Drafts reports on training activities including financial and technical proposal papers for senior management and other Divisions and units in the Technical Secretariat, OPCW Policy Making Organs and Member States, regarding implementation of the regular ICB programmes as well as regarding voluntary financial contributions towards international cooperation activities;
• Prepares and contributes to regular reports and inputs for the sessions of the Executive Council and the Conference of States Parties;
• Prepares and contributes to briefing documents, speaking points, and presentations for senior officials;
• Performs other duties, as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

Advanced University degree in public administration/management, international affairs, law, or other relevant fields of social sciences, chemistry or other relevant scientific discipline. Other subjects may be accepted provided the work experience is highly relevant to the post. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential: 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting technical assistance, capacity building, international cooperation, or educational programmes/projects in an international context;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience, including at the international level, in programme/project planning and implementation, including the conduct of needs assessments, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and budgetary planning/control.

Desirable: 

• Solid grasp of substantive issues relevant to chemical disarmament and capacity-building needs of States Parties and other stakeholders (e.g., chemical industries);
• Experience in developing strategies, analysing issues and implementing them in an international context;
• Experience in developing e-learning tools to support capacity building could be an added advantage;
• Experience in negotiations – either multilateral or bilateral, or both, regarding developing strategies, analysing issues and implementing programmes for capacity building and training would also be a plus point;
• Work experience in the UN Common System.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing operational issues in a complex environment, formulate options, and propose and implement solutions;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations;
• Demonstrated ability to be proactive in developing strategies to accomplish organisation’s objectives; problem solving skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients;
• Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
• Flexibility (working simultaneously on two or more topics and supporting colleagues in a matrix-style team) and ability to work under pressure;
• Computer literacy (MS Office packages).

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.

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’.