VA ID: 2262 Grade Level: P-5 Division: Legal and External Relations Division Section: External Relations and International Coo Unit: Type of Appointment: Fixed Term Appointment Date of Issuance: 27 March 2025 Deadline for Applications: 11 May 2025 Vacancy Reference VA178-2262-2025 Reporting Date: As soon as possible
Please note that all candidates should adhere to CTBTO Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity.
Qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
A roster of suitable candidates may be established for similar positions at the same level as a result of this selection process for a period of two (2) years.
Organizational Background
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria is the international organization setting up the global verification system foreseen under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is the treaty banning any nuclear-weapon-test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. The Treaty provides for a global verification regime, including a network of 337 stations worldwide, a communications system, an international data centre and on-site inspections to monitor compliance.
Organizational Setting
This position is located in the External Relations, Protocol and International Cooperation Section, Legal and External Relations Division, LEG/ERIC.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Director, Legal and External Relations Division, to:
Duties and Responsibilities
Conceptualize, design and implement the CTBTO Provisional Technical Secretariatโs external relations strategies, policies and activities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives; provide high-level political advice on negotiations related to verification arrangements and the work of the Preparatory Commissionโs policy-making organ; Drive and oversee efforts to advance the entry into force and universality of the Treaty through designing and executing high-impact initiatives aimed at securing additional signatures and ratifications, increasing political awareness and fostering international cooperation, including through the organization of workshops, seminars and information visits; Effectively manage the Secretariatโs relationships with States Signatories, non-signatories and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including through high-level outreach; In consultation with the Office of the Executive Secretary, lead the development and implementation of the Executive Secretaryโs strategic outreach initiatives, and represent the Secretariat as needed; Provide authoritative advice on, and oversee where appropriate the Secretariatโs participation in international conferences, symposia and high-level meetings, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic goals Oversee and manage the CTBTOโs protocol functions and activities, ensuring adherence to diplomatic best practice; Oversee the preparation of external relations materials, including background notes, talking points, speeches and correspondence for the Executive Secretary and the Director of Legal and External Relations; coordinate with technical divisions and subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, coherence, and impact; Coordinate closely with the Senior Liaison Officer in New York, including to monitor and evaluate developments in other relevant intergovernmental organizations and organizations of the United Nations system to inform CTBTOโs external cooperation approach; Lead and manage the work of the Section, develop and implement the Sectionโs work programme and priorities, allocate and adjust responsibilities in response to operational demands; Provide leadership, guidance and mentorship to Section staff, fostering a high-performing and positive team culture through strategic direction, performance management, and professional development initiatives; In consultation with the Office of the Director, manage the Sectionโs financial and other resources in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Preparatory Commission. Serve as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Director and/or Chief(s) of Section; Perform other duties as assigned.Education
Advanced university degree in international relations, political science, law, public administration or a related field; a first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree; With an advanced university degree โ minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible and relevant working experience in the field of international relations and multilateral diplomacy, preferably in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament, arms control and international security, in a multicultural environment is required. With a first-level university degree โ minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience in international relations and multilateral diplomacy, preferably in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament, arms control and international security, in a multicultural environment is required.Work Experience and Qualifications
Proven leadership and management experience, including the ability to lead and oversee teams in a multicultural environment and to foster a results-driven and collaborative work environment; Capacity to work simultaneously on a variety of complex issues and tasks independently, adjusting to priorities and delivering high-quality results in line with agreed objectives and deadlines; Strong analytical and negotiation skills; ability to provide authoritative advice on political and external relations matters, demonstrating sound political judgement, sensitivity and tact; Experience in developing and implementing external relations strategies and outreach initiatives; Ability to establish, maintain, and strengthen strategic partnerships through effective diplomatic engagement and collaboration;Languages
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential. Knowledge of other official CTBTO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.
Competencies
Professionalism - Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from other and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Planning and organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Team work - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings; Accountability - Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks โoutside the boxโ; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches; Client orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be โclientsโ and seeks to see things from clientsโ point of view; establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clientsโ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clientsโ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress and setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients; Commitment to continuous learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve; Technological Awareness - Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.
Managerial Competencies
Leadership - Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Vision - Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organizationโs strategy and the work unitโs goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Empowering Others - Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff membersโ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them. Building Trust - Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive and confidential information appropriately. Managing Performance - Delegates appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. Judgment/Decision Making - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Remuneration
CTBTO offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, see link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm). The salary offered may be subject to deductions to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and/or Health Insurance Scheme.
Additional Information
All applications must be submitted through the CTBTO e-Recruitment system before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Incomplete applications and submission of employment history in formats other than the CTBTO Employment Information Form will not be considered The CTBTO Preparatory Commission retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy; to make an appointment at a lower grade in particular if the candidate has less than the qualifications required; to make an appointment with a modified job description, or to offer a contract term for a shorter duration than indicated in the vacancy announcement. Please note that the CTBTO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list. The CTBTO reserves the right to undertake correspondence only with shortlisted candidates. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process.