Special Advisor to Deputy Director-General; P

Special Advisor to the Deputy Director-General (P-5) About Us

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention 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.

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

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P5
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  12,802
• Closing Date
  11/03/2026

The Office of the Deputy Director-General (ODDG) is responsible for ensuring the Secretariat fulfils its mandates in a successful and cost-efficient manner. The ODDG provides essential leadership and effective governance of the Secretariat. The objectives of the Office of the ODDG are to support the Director-General in the overall leadership, strategic direction and management of the Organisation.

The ODDG provides leadership and advice on complex and politically sensitive matters, vision and line management to seven divisions, offices and branches of the Secretariat:
Administration, External Relations, Verification, Inspectorate, International Cooperation and Assistance, and the Secretariat for the Policy-Making Organs, as well as the Health and Safety Branch.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director-General (DDG), the Special Advisor to the Deputy Director-General provides high-level, independent and strategic advice, analysis and coordination support to the Deputy Director-General on complex, sensitive and confidential matters related to OPCW policies, operations and personnel. The incumbent supports the Deputy Director-General in strengthening executive decision-making, mitigate institutional risks, and enhance cross-divisional coherence.

Responsibilities:

1) Strategic Advice:

• Provide expert advice to the Deputy Director-General (DDG) on complex and sensitive administrative, legal, procedural and policy matters. Identify potential issues and risks and advise the DDG accordingly with recommendations to mitigate potential risks;
• Prepare, coordinate and prioritise a range of short-, mid-, and long-term issues, plans, assignments and pending decisions for consideration by the DDG and provide high-level advice as needed;
• Identify opportunities to enhance organisational performance and make recommendations to the DDG on improvement strategies.

2) Executive Support, Coordinationand Liaison:

• Support the DDG in overseeing and coordinating the work of divisional activities and fostering cooperation across divisions, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) mandates;
• Support the review of divisional plans, budgets and resource allocations. Translate strategic priorities into actionable operational plans and follow-up and monitor action items arising from division and cross-division meetings;
• Provide executive support to the DDG by reviewing memorandums from divisions and branches for quality, completeness, and alignment with the OPCW strategy, rules and policies, and by offering recommendations on submitted requests;
• Manage and coordinate the flow of information, activities and decisions requiring the DDG’s attention, and review and prepare written and verbal correspondence on their behalf;
• Communicate the DDG’s views and decisions to internal stakeholders to support the programme operation and administration, ensuring understanding of the link between strategy and programme delivery;
• Provide guidance, as instructed by the DDG, to the division directors regarding the formulation of rationales, priorities, and objectives to ensure operational activities align with organizational priorities;
• Monitor the implementation of guidance given by the DDG to the divisions and other units of the Secretariat and report to the DDG as appropriate, suggesting remedial action as necessary;
• Monitor, analyse and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the…