Personal Executive Assistant to the Director-General (GS-7) Office of the Director-General

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. 

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 GS Staff
• Grade
  GS7
• 
  Net Salary
  EUR 50,901
• Closing Date
  07/08/2019

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the international organisation responsible for achieving the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and for ensuring the implementation of its provisions, including verification of compliance with the Convention and maintenance of a forum for consultations and cooperation among States Parties. The OPCW headquarters is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Office of the Director-General is responsible for ensuring that the Secretariat fulfils its mandate in an efficient and cost-effective manner, cultivating an effective working relationship between the Secretariat and the Member States, and promoting universal OPCW membership and reviews inspection reports and ensures the confidentiality of sensitive information provided by Member States.

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director-General and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Personal Executive Assistant to the Director-General performs the following duties:

1. Manages the Director-General's official and social event agenda:  

• Scheduling of the Director-General’s extensive program of appointments both external and internal;


• Receiving external requests (high level dignitaries or their representatives) and internal (management) requests to arrange meetings with the Director-General;

2. Managing the Director-General’s correspondence:

• Ensures the smooth and constant flow of information between the Director-General and other offices within the OPCW;


• Upon request of the Director-General drafts, types and formats various documents in accordance with the correspondence manual as well as review written correspondence and documents for completeness and grammatical correctness;

3. Managing the Director-General’s correspondence:

• Ensures the smooth and constant flow of information between the Director-General and other offices within the OPCW;


• Upon request of the Director-General drafts, types and formats various documents in accordance with the correspondence manual as well as review written correspondence and documents for completeness and grammatical correctness;

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Qualifications and Experience

Education

Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: High School Diploma or equivalent Diploma of higher Secondary Education; 

Desirable:

• Additional executive secretary/professional administration training highly desirable;


•  Additional training in budget control and procurement is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience

Experience: 

Essential:

At least nine (9) years of progressively responsible and related administrative experience.

Desirable:

• Experience in conducting independent searches for information;


• Experience in preparing background material;


• Experience in dealing with Ambassadors, Heads of Diplomatic missions ,senior management and other high level/government officials;


• Experience in procurement processes and systems;


• Prior experience in an international organisation.


• Experience in using computerised administration systems (ERP).

Skills and Competencies

Skills and Abilities (Key competencies)

• Tact, discretion and accuracy;


• Effective organisational skills and ability to handle a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner;


• Initiative and willingness to learn new skills;


• Flexibility;


• Solid computer skills, including ability to produce reports and a variety of correspondence;


• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including engaging with executive diplomatic level personnel and visitors;


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


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


• Ability to work in a focused 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;


• Good eye for detail and strong on follow up;


• 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. 

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 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 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 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.

General Terms and Conditions