VA ID: 1984 Grade Level: P-5 Division: Office of the Executive Secretary Section: Office of the Executive Secretary, OES Unit: Type of Appointment: Fixed Term Appointment Date of Issuance: 9 February 2024 Deadline for Applications: 10 March 2024 Vacancy Reference: VA120-1984-2024 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 Office of the Executive Secretary (OES).
Reporting Lines
Under the supervision of the Executive Secretary (ES), to:
Duties and Responsibilities
Liaise with the representatives of State Signatories, with particular emphasis on developing countries, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, develop and maintain high-level regular interaction to build and strengthen strategic partnerships and close cooperation, including through the identification and further fostering of common areas of interest, between these delegations and the CTBTO; Provide expert analysis, strategic advice, and recommendations on complex and sensitive policy issues and propose courses of action to the Executive Secretary; Coordinate and ensure effective implementation of priority activities in developing countries, as directed by the Executive Secretary; Attend meetings and official travels of the Executive Secretary with representatives of State Signatories, observers and non-governmental organizations of developing countries as required, actively contribute to the coordination and preparation of engagements, and ensure appropriate follow-up action; Represent the Executive Secretary at meetings and events with representatives of developing country governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as at events organized by these stakeholders; Review and provide recommendations to the ES with a special focus on technical documents submitted by the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) to the Preparatory Commission and its subsidiary organs; coordinate efforts with relevant divisions to ensure high-quality, timely and appropriate materials for the ESโ review, including but not limited to briefing notes, talking points, remarks and statements, reports, papers, memoranda, etc. Identify and coordinate internally the resolution of complex policy issues and participate in meetings of the Policy-Making Organs including the Preparatory Commission and Working Group B; Participate in and support OES efforts to prepare for Executive Team meetings, and other divisional meetings as required; Perform other duties as assigned.Education
Advanced university degree in social sciences including international relations, political science, economics, law, public or business administration, science and technology, engineering or a related field;Work Experience and Qualifications
A minimum of ten (10) yearsโ relevant progressively responsible professional experience in the field of disarmament, arms control and international security, international relations, intergovernmental affairs, and/or scientific and technological matters; Extensive experience in international relations, political science, diplomacy, or related area of which at least two to five years should have been in an international setting; experience with intergovernmental processes and engaging with Member States representatives; experience working in the office of a senior international or public official and/or as a Special Assistant to a senior public official is an asset; Extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy, political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is essential; Strong problem-solving skills enabling detailed analysis from a range of complex sources and ability to extrapolate relevant information and present the essence of issues for further consideration; Experience in collaborating with technological departments in governments/affiliated entities or international organizations is desirable; Demonstrated ability and initiative, political sensitivity, tact and excellent judgment, including strong analytical/conceptual and negotiation skills;Languages
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential; Knowledge of other official CTBTO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is highly 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.
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.