About Us

The Administration Division manages the OPCW’s day-to-day human resources, finances, and logistical support, and coordinates knowledge management.

The Division also represents the Technical Secretariat during sessions of the Advisory Body on Administrative and Financial Matters (ABAF), and serves as the point of contact for the OPCW’s External Auditor.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P4
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  10,045
• Closing Date
  19/01/2025

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The General Support Services (GSS) plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient functioning of the Organisation by providing smooth logistical and operational support. It assists with asset and property management, inventory control, supplies, travel, shipping and transportation, fleet management, visas and travel documents, insurance, catering services, mail services, cleaning services and contract management with external service providers.

Main Responsibilities

The Head of the Facilities Management Section (H/FMS) reports to the Director of Administration and leads the Facilities Management Section, comprising five fixed-term staff, including the H/FMS position itself. The H/FMS oversees all aspects of building management for OPCW-owned and leased premises in The Hague, including The Centre for Chemistry and Technology (CCT) and the leased OPCW Headquarters Main Building.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing utilities, maintenance services, furnishings and space allocation.
• Managing the Facilities Management Section with its team and budget.
• Initiating and managing renovations, upgrades, and refurbishments to ensure facilities align with modern standards for safety, security, ergonomics, and collaboration.
• Acting as the primary liaison with Secretariat counterparts, suppliers, contractors, Dutch authorities and landlord on facilities management and infrastructure services issues.

Key Functions

1. Facilities Management:

• Supervises and ensure the smooth operation of facilities management services.
• Manages teams and processes to deliver client-oriented services that meet high organisational standards for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Manages the maintenance and operations of OPCW facilities’ technical support systems, including Building Management Systems (BMS) and HVAC air handling systems of the state-of-the-art laboratories at the Centre for Chemistry and Technology (CCT), electrical installations, plumbing, and security systems.
• Provides technical advice related to OPCW premises and infrastructure projects.
• Develops and implements energy-saving and sustainability initiatives.
• Explores innovative technologies to enhance cost efficiency and environmental performance.

2. Project Management:

• Develops plans and explores the feasibility of improving the facilities to create a more secure, safe, attractive and efficient work environment for all staff.
• Defines requirements and leads construction, renovation, and refurbishment projects.
• Prepares design proposals and cost estimates for infrastructure projects.
• Ensures projects are technically feasible, align with budgetary and resource constraints and are in line with local construction rules and regulations.

3. Budget and Procurement:

• Manages budgets, planning, and implementation of maintenance and infrastructure projects.
• Prepares tender specifications, evaluate submissions, and monitor contractor performance for service delivery.
• Supports the Director of Administration in biennial budget preparations and updates.

4. Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provides leadership and direction for a team of five fixed-term staff.
• Builds and maintains relationships with local authorities, landlords, business park associations, and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

University degree in a related discipline, i.e. Real Estate/Facility Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business/Public Administration, Project Management or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in facilities management or in planning and implementing technical projects for large buildings.

Desirable:

• Experience with the Dutch facilities management environment.
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in initiating and managing construction, renovation and/or office refurbishment projects.
• Experience negotiating lease contracts for office buildings.
• Previous work experience in international organisations.
• Experience in managing laboratories or other technical facilities with technical BMS and HVAC systems.
• Experience in dealing with local construction permit applications.

Skills and Competencies

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Extensive experience in facilities management and leading teams.
• Proven expertise in construction projects and technical installations for large buildings.
• Strong procurement and contract management skills.
• Knowledge of modern HVAC, BMS, plumbing, electricity and energy systems in tertiary buildings.
• Familiarity with safety policies and international standards for facility management.

Other Skills:

• Leadership: Ability to guide and influence organisational strategies related to facilities.
• Results Focus: Proactively results-driven, with innovative problem-solving skills.
• Teamwork: ability to collaborate with others in cross-unit teams and to work effectively in diverse and multicultural work setting.
• Communication: Demonstrated ability to promote collaboration across different business units; ability to explain complex concepts in a simplified manner to a non-technical audience; demonstration of enthusiasm and creativity and innovation; ability to communicate with all levels of management and staff;
• Building Effective Relationships: Proven ability to build professional relationships to achieve shared results;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement: Open to new ideas and inquisitive in finding new solutions for improvements; shares own knowledge and builds partnerships for learning and knowledge sharing.

Working knowledge of Dutch is considered a strong asset.

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

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 OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years.

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.

According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

OPCW 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’.