Senior Communications Assistant (GS-5)

About Us

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on 29 April 1997. The OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavor to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.

The ultimate aim of the OPCW is 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. Under the OPCW's oversight 96% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor States have been verifably destroyed.

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

Our mission for a world free of chemical weapons makes people's lives better. Apply to be a part of our team to make the world a better place for all. 

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term General Service
• Grade
  GS5
• 
  Estimated monthly remuneration: Euro
  4.184
• Closing Date
  26/09/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

Situation Centre provides 24-hour mission support, develops & maintains a comprehensive common operating picture, ensures secure and reliable communications, and provides information analysis to facilitate senior management decision making and crisis management operations.

The Senior Communications Assistant will act as a single point of contact and support for all Inspection teams deployed on a 24/7 basis.

Main Responsibilities

As Senior Communications Assistant you will maintain Global Situational Awareness and support deployed Inspection Teams.

Your work involves providing operational communications support to the Situation Centre (SitCen) and also providing operational communications support to the deployed Inspection Teams.

Other parts of the role include developing communications training programmes designed to meet the needs of Inspection Personnel, Information management including but not limited to document archiving.

To see the complete job outline, please click here. 

Qualifications and Experience

Education

The educational qualifications required for this position:

Essential

High School Diploma or equivalent Diploma of higher Secondary Education

Desirable

Additional training and experience in the following fields of technology is desirable:

• Satellite and radio communication


• IT-Networks


• GPS tracking and GIS systems


• Encryption systems


• Additional professional administration training is desirabl

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• At least 4 years of professional experience in operational context


• Experience in support of customers and field teams remotely


• Experience working in confidential environments.

Desirable

• Experience in using computerized administration systems.


• Experience in field deployments and working in hostile environments.

Skills and Competencies

• Solid computer skills, including ability to produce reports and background material.


• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively.


• Good organisational skills, proactive mentality, with a strong sense of urgency.


• Ability to work in a focussed and precise manner.


• Proven interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations at all levels with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.


• Open minded and willing to take on additional duties in a spirit of continuous learning and development.


• Service/client oriented with a high sense of discretion, maturity and tact to deal with highly sensitive matters.


• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and follow up on the work of the Branch.

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

Staff members in the General Services category are normally recruited and paid on a local basis.

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 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.

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’.