Head of Investigations

**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.

**General Information**:

- **Contract Type**
Fixed-term Professional
- **Grade**
P5
- **Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD**
11,134
- **Closing Date**
25/04/2025

**Responsibilities**:
**Job Summary**:
This incumbent of this position reports to the Director of the Office of Special Missions. The Hague is the duty station, but the incumbent is expected to spend significant time in the field carrying out Special Mission deployments, starting with the ongoing OPCW Mission in Syria (OMS), as per evolving mission requirements.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Office of Special Missions (D/OSM), the Head of Investigations is responsible for leading the OPCW’s operational efforts in complex, high-profile environments. Head of Investigations will lead a multifunctional team of technical experts and support personnel and managing a wide range of operations, including inspections, technical assessments, investigations, and coordinating with international and local partners to ensure the effective implementation of OPCW’s mandate in the Syrian Arab Republic. This role will require advanced leadership skills, diplomacy, and technical expertise in chemical weapons disarmament and non-proliferation as well as prior experience in carrying out activities pertaining to the elimination of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Programme.

**Responsibilities**:
Reporting to the Director of the Office of Special Missions, the incumbent performs the following activities:

- Manages, leads and coordinates multidisciplinary teams of professionals for OPCW Special Missions, ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of specific projects and activities, including on activities in the Syrian Arab Republic.
- Ensures efficient engagement of available human resources and externally provided goods and services to ensure the efficiency, sustainability and resilience of special mission operations.
- Leads and coordinates, intra-divisional activities aligned with special missions’ focus areas and maintains contact with external stakeholders, including government officials, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and any other stakeholders, including witnesses and intermediaries relevant to the missions.
- Leads, coordinates and carries out investigations mandated under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and relevant decisions by the Policy-Making Organs, including Challenge Inspections, Investigations of Alleged Use, Technical Assistance Visit(s) (TAV), fact-finding type missions and other types of investigations.
- Develops and executes strategic missions plans across multiple locations, including high-risk and remote areas, adapting to evolving contingencies.
- Coordinates at the operational level, with other Divisions/Offices of the Technical Secretariat (OSP, VER, INS, ICA and ADM) for relevant knowledge management activities to ensure that special mission related experience, expertise, knowledge, and skills are retained and transferred within the Organisation.
- Develops and maintains relevant technical capabilities, ensures continuous training of professionals and support professionals, and keeps abreast of technology advances and innovation.
- Ensures the successful coordination and implementation of all logístical requirements for the operations, ensuring smooth missions’ progress.
- Under the guidance of the D/OSM, provides technical advice and support to other Divisions/Offices of the Secretariat.
- Manages local security arrangements for the special missions and related operations, in close collaboration with the Office of Confidentiality and Security, Host Country officials and the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
- Ensures that information collected and processed by the OPCW special missions pursuant to its mandate is protected according to the applicable OPCW confidentiality requirements.
- Covers the functions of D/OMS in their absence.

**Qualifications and Experience**:
**Education**:
**Essential**:

- A first level university degree in a related field with qualifying minimum experience of 15 years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

**Desirable**:

- Training in close related fields relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
- Training in leadership, people management, conflict resolution and negotiation, diplomatic skills and Interactions.

**Knowledge and Experience**:
**Essential**:

- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or i