Information Officer - (P-3)

About Us

The Inspectorate Division is responsible for the efficient and effective deployment of inspection teams to both military and commercial facilities around the world, as required by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The Division maintains readiness to conduct Challenge Inspections and Investigations of Alleged Use, and to deploy the Rapid Response and Assistance Mission (RRAM) to Member States, as needed, in the event of a chemical incident.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P3
• 
  Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  8 229
• Closing Date
  06/04/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

Would you like to be part of the OPCW global mission to eliminate chemical weapons and to use chemistry for progress? Are you a seasoned pro in information and knowledge management or investigative journalism? Our Operations and Planning Branch is looking for a dedicated and hardworking professional with demonstrated experience with information gathering and verification using social media and open-source information. You will be operating as a focal point for gathering information, providing initial assessment and preparing reports relating to the chemical weapons use and chemical incidents.

Main Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Communication and Information Officer, you as the Information Officer will undertake the following responsibilities to support the Information Cell by: 

Acting as the focal point for open source information research expertise to collect all source material relating to the use of chemicals as weapons, or other situations in accordance with the Director-General’s direction and guidance, including his Prioritised Information Requirements (PIRs);

Gathering information and developing effective research plans to facilitate more informed decision-making regarding the launch and implementation of a contingency operation in response to chemical incidents, specifically including where chemicals may have been used by non-state actors;

Providing initial assessments of all information with respect to its credibility;

Providing initial assessments for requests for information (RFI) addressed to the Situation Centre from amongst others ODG, and other divisions;

Drafting reports in a variety of formats concerning allegations of chemical weapon use and other issues of interest as required;

Drafting information briefings concerning allegations of chemical weapon use and the security situation in countries where OPCW inspectors are deployed;

Manage the work and production of the Information Cell team and lead the team in emergency response operations;

Performing link analysis and determine associations and relationships on all or any information received /produced by the Sit Cen;

Conducting geographic information system research including geo-location for reports and to assist in planning for contingency operations;

Maintaining information repositories on all relevant information within the context of the Situation Centre;

Advising management on open source information gathering issues and recommending options to improve open source information gathering;

Participating in current and future systems development and evaluating new tools;

Applying knowledge and quickly developing new knowledge of emerging technologies regarding open sources;

Developing and maintaining analytical procedures to meet changing requirements;

Managing information research subscriptions and online databases;

Any other duties as deemed appropriate for the post.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential: 

An advanced university degree in International Relations, Information and Knowledge Management, Journalism or Information Systems.
A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience. (Minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
High School Diploma degree with equivalent or specialized training and experience (minimum 11 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced and first level university degree.
 

Desirable:

• Additional training and experience in gathering and analysing information for contingency operations/field missions highly desirable;

• Knowledge of open source information tools related to Artificial Intelligence and its applications.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

With an advanced degree, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible and recent related experience in the area of Information and Knowledge Management, Journalism or Information Systems or other areas such as investigative journalism, military operations centre, disarmament as well as:

Demonstrated experience with information gathering and verification using Social Media and Open Source information;

Proven strong communication skills and presentation ability;

Proven strong analytical skills with close attention to detail and strong critical thinking /logic skills;

Demonstrable strong interpersonal skills;

Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences from senior management to Operational staff;

Desirable:

Experience in using GIS applications.

Demonstrated knowledge of social media and social networking sites, and Open-Source research best practices.

Supervisory experience.

Skills and Competencies

In order to succeed in this role, you have to have the following skills:

1. A well-developed sense of judgment, an ability to work well in teams under time-sensitive       conditions where innovative and imaginative planning/problem solving skills are necessary;


2. Precise organisational skills which can capture, synthesise and interpret large amounts of information in order to problem solve or inform management decision making;


3. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;


4. Flexibility and ability to work under pressure;


5. Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural 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

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’.