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Science Policy Adviser (P-5)

Post Level P-5 Closing Date 19 February 2012 (2 days left)
Vacancy Ref E-VER/PRB/SPA/F0701/P-5/54/11-11 This appointment is for a three-year duration with a six-month probationary period. 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 Director-General retains the discretion not to 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. This post is available as of 1 January 2012.
Branch Policy and Review Branch
Division Verification Division
Date 20 December 2011
Principal Functions Requirements
Science and technology are key underpinning elements of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and much CWC implementation work is grounded in a strong understanding of the natural and life sciences. Furthermore, aspects of science and technology are central to the future priorities for the Organisation. This is an opportunity to help shape the future direction and content of the implementation of the CWC.

Under the supervision of the Head, Policy and Review Branch, the incumbent performs the following duties:

• Frames questions from the Director-General (DG) to the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and SAB Temporary Working Groups (TWGs), in such a way that the SAB and its TWGs can effectively apply their expertise and exercise their independence.

• Formulates robust scientific policy advice for the DG, and for his reports to Policy-Making Organs (PMOs), on the basis of technical recommendations and reports from the SAB and its TWGs.

• Advises the Secretary to the SAB, the SAB Chair and SAB TWG Chairs in framing Terms of Reference and questions for SAB TWGs.

• Facilitates the Technical Secretariat’s dialogue with the scientific communities.

• Monitors and evaluates the implications for the OPCW of longer-term scientific and technological developments, including convergence in the sciences, e.g. in the lead-up to and follow-up from the CWC Review Conferences.

• Performs other duties as required.
Knowledge and Skills
• Advanced university degree in the natural or life sciences. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum of 12 years) in these areas may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Doctoral degree in the natural or life sciences is desirable.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of both the natural and life science and CWC implementation.
• Ability to translate between the policy and technical spheres.
• Excellent communication skills – both oral and written – and excellent stakeholder management skills, including strong ability to deliver results through others. Ability to handle interactions with the media.
• Strong conceptual skills and ability both to think strategically and to understand the implementer’s perspective.
• Ability to deliver high-quality results under pressure.
• Excellent analytical skills (e.g. quickly identifying the essence of a complex issue).
• Innovative and creative, but with the ability to generate ideas that can be grounded in reality and implemented in practice.
• Strong sense of initiative, including ability to plan, conduct and report on projects independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to work in teams and in multi-cultural environment.
Experience
Essential:
• A minimum of 10 years relevant experience, of which at least 5 years of experience as a practicing scientist.
• Experience in analysing or implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Desirable:
• Working experience in both chemistry and biological sciences.
• Working experience with both basic and applied research.
• Exposure to or some working experience with regulatory or policy issues.
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.
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and provident fund deductions) in US$ and a post adjustment. The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances. The figure quoted on the right, is based on the December 2011 rate of 52.6%.

With Dependants

No Dependants

Annual Salary (USD) $86,791 $80,629
Post Adjustment $45,652 $42,411
Total Salary $132,443 $123,040
Currency USD
CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE ONLY THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM.
Interested applicants who are unable to submit an application online at www.opcw.org, due to technical problems, are requested to send an e- mail to Recruitment@opcw.org explaining the problem.
Only applications received before the closing date will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.
There are job advertisements and offers that falsely state that they are from the OPCW. Please be aware that the OPCW does not request any payments or require any financial information (bank account details, credit card numbers) from you at any stage of the application and review process. If you are contacted with these requests, please contact Recruitment@opcw.org and notify us at once.